the story so far...
LIVING IN A WORLD with an ever-increasing number of TV channels showing breaking news, updated reports and an effervescent collage of entertainment exclusives - it's sometimes difficult to gauge just what actually is happening in a variety of cities and countries across the globe.It can be pretty exhausting and overwhelming. Cultures can even seem to merge into each other.Yet in spite of all this information, do we ever really obtain a clear picture or even a quirky insight into the cultural and political life of countries many newsreaders struggle to pronounce?ARTISTS ARE A BAROMETER to measure the social, political and cultural pulse of a community, city or country. They are in a position where they can communicate clearly the mood of a nation. You could argue that they can do this more effectively and with more passion and insight than any news report or written diary. They are living, breathing and drawing their inspiration from the environment in which they live. Not only is their skill impressive but also their courage. SCROLL TO READ ON >Alt Artist is a documentary series focusing on artists on the edge of their society. They can challenge stereotypical views, question their governments or simply make statements that others are unable to make. Through their work they are seeking to create change.In this rich tapestry of cultural and political intrigue, two innovative and reasonably young filmmakers came up with the idea of documenting the work of artists from far-flung places. ARMED WITH THEIR CAMCORDERS and laptops and an editing prowess in Final Cut Pro, filmmakers Evelyn Franks and Zoe Davis explored the alternative art scene in a city once known as the Paris of the Middle East - Beirut. A city of ghosts and goodness, Beirut offered a visual feast of graffiti, street theatre and flashmobs. It also provided this duo with further enthusiasm and motivation to continue with this project in other areas of the world. At 3am in a bar on Bliss Street, the idea to produce a micro-documentary series on artists isolated by geography, disability, poverty and conflict seemed revolutionary and world-changing. But when the sun dawned and a new day began, did they wake up with the same enthusiasm?The answer obviously is yes - the idea for Alt Artist was born and the work began in earnest.IT TOOK NEARLY A YEAR from the idea, to filming, editing, juggling jobs, traveling, brainstorming, further filming, website designing, understanding the new world of social media, making mistakes, drinking tea, becoming addicted to caffeine, traveling, filming, editing, being weaned off caffeine (that was a particularly painful time), amending the concept, to onlining a website, discovering the beauty of H.264 encoding, tweeting, understanding the etiquette of _ and #, knowing html from the average CSS code, embracing "Follow Fridays" and being educated about the art of the yarnstorm. It was 12-month adventure that produced a cross-platform project - www.altartist.com - and the films being screened on BBC World.It also was a 12-month adventure that resulted in an unusual fixation with conversations that revolved around pokes, tweets and FFs and a short-lived obsession with stripping out embed codes. It is indeed the Age of Aquarius in the online world and one the Alt Artist duo embraced openly - any new widgets - send them their way.ALSO IT WAS A TIME when both Zoe and Evelyn managed to meet with and film inspirational artists. Whether it's the Yarncorps in London, or Mini Graff - Sydney's own Stencil Queen, or Aboriginal Artists in the Australian Outback, these artists are society's little treasures who brighten up their cities and communities with colour, humour and spirit.However, Alt Artist is still in its early days. Still young, ambitious, eager and full of energy just like its filmmakers, the project is seeing new developments unfolding with every step. Unique locations are being discussed and chosen, a blog is underway that will give the reader an inside track into the thoughts of this duo (it won't be censored) and Zoe and Evelyn are always happy to hear from those who would like to be involved in this project - e-mail producers_altartist.com.We musn't forget or neglect the importance art has in this planet we call home - we must discover, celebrate and cherish those artists - and make them immortal in the online world.After all - art, in the words of the poet Paul Muldoon, builds from pain, from misery, from a deep-seated hurt, a monument to the human heart that shines like a golden dome among roofs rain-glazed and leaden..
LIVING IN A WORLD with an ever-increasing number of TV channels showing breaking news, updated reports and an effervescent collage of entertainment exclusives - it's sometimes difficult to gauge just what actually is happening in a variety of cities and countries across the globe.
It can be pretty exhausting and overwhelming. Cultures can even seem to merge into each other.
Yet in spite of all this information, do we ever really obtain a clear picture or even a quirky insight into the cultural and political life of countries many newsreaders struggle to pronounce?
ARTISTS ARE A BAROMETER to measure the social, political and cultural pulse of a community, city or country. They are in a position where they can communicate clearly the mood of a nation. You could argue that they can do this more effectively and with more passion and insight than any news report or written diary. They are living, breathing and drawing their inspiration from the environment in which they live. Not only is their skill impressive but also their courage. SCROLL TO READ ON >
Alt Artist is a documentary series focusing on artists on the edge of their society. They can challenge stereotypical views, question their governments or simply make statements that others are unable to make. Through their work they are seeking to create change.
In this rich tapestry of cultural and political intrigue, two innovative and reasonably young filmmakers came up with the idea of documenting the work of artists from far-flung places.
ARMED WITH THEIR CAMCORDERS and laptops and an editing prowess in Final Cut Pro, filmmakers Evelyn Franks and Zoe Davis explored the alternative art scene in a city once known as the Paris of the Middle East - Beirut. A city of ghosts and goodness, Beirut offered a visual feast of graffiti, street theatre and flashmobs. It also provided this duo with further enthusiasm and motivation to continue with this project in other areas of the world.
At 3am in a bar on Bliss Street, the idea to produce a micro-documentary series on artists isolated by geography, disability, poverty and conflict seemed revolutionary and world-changing. But when the sun dawned and a new day began, did they wake up with the same enthusiasm?
The answer obviously is yes - the idea for Alt Artist was born and the work began in earnest.
IT TOOK NEARLY A YEAR from the idea, to filming, editing, juggling jobs, traveling, brainstorming, further filming, website designing, understanding the new world of social media, making mistakes, drinking tea, becoming addicted to caffeine, traveling, filming, editing, being weaned off caffeine (that was a particularly painful time), amending the concept, to onlining a website, discovering the beauty of H.264 encoding, tweeting, understanding the etiquette of _ and #, knowing html from the average CSS code, embracing "Follow Fridays" and being educated about the art of the yarnstorm.
It was 12-month adventure that produced a cross-platform project - www.altartist.com - and the films being screened on BBC World.
It also was a 12-month adventure that resulted in an unusual fixation with conversations that revolved around pokes, tweets and FFs and a short-lived obsession with stripping out embed codes. It is indeed the Age of Aquarius in the online world and one the Alt Artist duo embraced openly - any new widgets - send them their way.
ALSO IT WAS A TIME when both Zoe and Evelyn managed to meet with and film inspirational artists. Whether it's the Yarncorps in London, or Mini Graff - Sydney's own Stencil Queen, or Aboriginal Artists in the Australian Outback, these artists are society's little treasures who brighten up their cities and communities with colour, humour and spirit.
However, Alt Artist is still in its early days. Still young, ambitious, eager and full of energy just like its filmmakers, the project is seeing new developments unfolding with every step. Unique locations are being discussed and chosen, a blog is underway that will give the reader an inside track into the thoughts of this duo (it won't be censored) and Zoe and Evelyn are always happy to hear from those who would like to be involved in this project - e-mail producers_altartist.com.
We musn't forget or neglect the importance art has in this planet we call home - we must discover, celebrate and cherish those artists - and make them immortal in the online world.
After all - art, in the words of the poet Paul Muldoon, builds from pain, from misery, from a deep-seated hurt, a monument to the human heart that shines like a golden dome among roofs rain-glazed and leaden.
.
Pick a location and see the films!
ALT ARTIST ON
PART OF THE Alt Artist mission statement
is about giving a global voice to artists
who are often under-represented by the
mainstream media.
So when BBC World announced that
they wanted to screen some of our micro-
doumentaries on the channel, we were
very excited.
The films will be on BBC World during the
month of October, and they will be seen in
over 200 million homes throughout Europe,
Latin America, Middle East, Asia Pacific,
South-East Asia, USA and Canada.
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LONDON
NEXT
"Get your papers here!" Two paper sellers meander through the Mela Festivalcrowd telling stories. A KazzumTheatre production.Music by Kevin MacLeod
"Get your papers here!" Two paper sellers meander through the Mela Festivalcrowd telling stories.
A KazzumTheatre production.
Music by Kevin MacLeod
"A wonderfully idiosyncratic work of true beauty" (Mark Thomas, Guardian)With the nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons" as their inspiration, Knit The Cityspread their woolly mischief around the City of London.
"A wonderfully idiosyncratic work of true beauty"
(Mark Thomas, Guardian)
With the nursery rhyme "Oranges and Lemons" as their inspiration, Knit The Cityspread their woolly mischief around the City of London.
Waleska Nomura created the project
'Spreading The Love And Positive Engeries To The World'.
She shows us how her Lady Loves are taking flight bearing
the message of love.
AUSTRALIA
Georgina Brown paints her homeland, recalling the first time she came into contact with white settlers. Watch the extended version only at:4DOCS.ORG.UKMusic by Kevin MacLeod
Georgina Brown paints her homeland, recalling the first time she came into contact with white settlers.
Watch the extended version only at:4DOCS.ORG.UK
Perth's best kept secret - The Jazz Cellar. The Corner House Jazz Band play to their loyal audience every Friday in this underground music venue.
Defiant, controversial, bubbling with energy and philosophy, Wire MC is an engaging force - not just in Australian hip hop, but hip hop in general.
Aboriginal artist Max George paints a new Australia. Music by Kevin MacLeod
Aboriginal artist Max George paints a new Australia.
Mini Graff is one of Sydney's most progressive street artists. Her running couples can be spotted all over the city and beyond. Music by Keven MacLeod
Mini Graff is one of Sydney's most progressive street artists. Her running couples can be spotted all over the city and beyond.
Music by Keven MacLeod
AUGUST FEATURE - Beyond the MinesA group of indigenous artists in this remote mining town prepare for their first ever art exhibition. (Port Hedland, Western Australia)Music by Kevin MacLeod
AUGUST FEATURE - Beyond the Mines
A group of indigenous artists in this remote mining town prepare for their first ever art exhibition.
(Port Hedland, Western Australia)
partnering with us
IN 2009, our micro-documentaries were broadcast on television
into more than 200 million homes worldwide.
This was an exciting development for Alt Artist.
We are now interested to hear from corporate or funding
bodies who would like to sponsor the continuation of this
exciting multi-platform project in exchange for brand visibility
on-air and online.
If this is you, feel free to get in touch via the contact form.
contact us
BEIRUT
The Lebanese Street Theatre group reclaim the streets of Beirut, "fighting war with art".Music by Jason Breckenridge
The Lebanese Street Theatre group reclaim the streets of Beirut, "fighting war with art".
Music by Jason Breckenridge
'Oras' and his crew are re-painting the scarred walls and under-passes of Beirut. They are brightening up Lebanon's streets with colour and positive messages.
FEATURE - FlashmobberAn inside look into Beirut's first ever Mp3 flashmob. Participants who joined the group online were sent an Mp3 file and told to meet at the agreed location. At the arranged time they pressed play...
FEATURE - Flashmobber
An inside look into Beirut's first ever Mp3 flashmob. Participants who joined the group online were sent an Mp3 file and told to meet at the agreed location. At the arranged time they pressed play...
FEATURE - Writing on the Wall'Oras' and his crew are re-painting the scarred walls and under-passes of Beirut. They are brightening up Lebanon's streets with colour and positive messages.
FEATURE - Writing on the Wall
FEATURE - The Street TheatreSee the full length version of The Street Theatre!Music by Jason Breckenridge'Human Beat' by Kevin MacLeod
FEATURE - The Street Theatre
See the full length version of The Street Theatre!
'Human Beat' by Kevin MacLeod
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