The Manchester Mafia presents.......

The Manchester Mafia are once again bringing us The Manchester International Festival! Reuniting chums Hans Ulrich Obrist, Maxine Peake, Bjork, legendary Mancunian Damon Albarn, Peter Saville (no relation to Jimmy) and the oldest swinger in town Dave Haslem. All together again for another money spinning year.

Sometimes I Bloody Despair Of Photographers.....

 

You may have seen this story and image floating around social media. It's a tale of a painter who's used a photo he's seen as the starting point for a painting he's made. Photographer finds out gets pissed off and thinks "nice one I can make a quid I'll sue the fucker"  it goes to court. It's a bit like the Richard Prince type thing only this time the photographer wins. Art world is a bit miffed, freedom of artistic expression they cry, conservative photo world declares victory for copyright and the status quo. Anyway you can read the tale and common sense comment HERE

Now you may be thinking that I'm having a go at the photographer Katrijn Van Giel well I'm not. It's a strong portrait that's been appropriated by a well known successful artist so I understand their reaction, although in this case I think both the photographer and the law are acting daft. If it was one of my pictures and a top artist like Luc Tuymans decided to use one of my photos I would not only be chuffed to death but I would also milk it like fuck. Still Van Giel is quids in.

It's not a good decision for art though and the reaction from a lot of folk in the photography world just shows their plain ignorance and lack of understanding when it comes to issues being raised by contemporary art. This worries me (as far as photography goes but not like global warming or the new bus lane on the East Lancs Road) because it's some of the movers and shakers of the photography world who think this is a victory. 

I copied the below post from someone on facebook. I've not said who it is so I hope they won't sue me over copyright.

"You can see from my photos that I brave the elements to make them-I am up in the middle of the night, or early morning- or outside in the very cold. They are my point of view- the way I see things - my work and the photographs are the end result, unless I want to do something else with them. I am always talking about how much I resent painters saying they want to paint my photograph. I think painters should find their own subject matter- and go out and take photos if they use photos as inspiration. I think, I can paint my own photograph, but other's should not. I get testy. Of course I have no control when I post them. The choice seems to be that my photographs get seen every few years in a gallery setting, and they are seen no where else, or I post them online, and obviously, I chose to post them. It is, to me, a question of morals, integrity and originality
http://hyperallergic.com/176138/luc-tuymans-convicted-of-plagiarism-for-painting-photo-of-politician/"

PS I just saw this! https://www.lensculture.com/articles/katerina-belkina-paint-a-series-of-photographic-self-portraits

And not a plastic tit in sight........

From 1938.

The Fame Game.

I got a mention over on DUCKRABBIT and apparently I'm the 'Dogs' so there....

Ed was perplexed by the picture on his congratulations card his brother David sent him.

Why not follow The Pope's visit to the UK on twitter ?

"The best defence is to take charge of your online presence. We suggest making sure that if an employer does search for you online, the first things they see are wholly appropriate and useful for your career, such as a LinkedIn profile, professional blog, or Twitter feed full of intelligent and non-sweary insights"

So says GOOGLE boss HERE.

Bollocks, well that's me fucked then....

Life took a bit of a turn there has it Sir Richard?

Well well well. First off causng the loss of 70 jobs at URBIS and now hitting little girls.......

HOW MUCH!

Are These Yours?

Telling things as they are often pisses people off. Nothing wrong with that but you have to realise that it makes you enemies. I've managed to make some three and a half thousand miles away.

If you read this blog on a regular basis you may remember a post about a gallery in NY that spammed me saying they wanted me to take part in an exhibition all I had to do was send them X amount of dollars for a marketing package. Obviously not being born under a fucking tree I didn't fall for it and posted about it here in my own delicate way. Imagine my surprise when I received the below email earlier today..........

Mr. Page,

We have seen of your Manchester Photography blog, and we're writing to inform you that our information must be removed immediately!

You know nothing of the gallery business. What you have stated is your fantasy. It is rumor, it is slander, and if you do not remove it immediately, we will contact the server and initiate a lawsuit.

It is unfortunate that so many people are subject to the delusions and propaganda concerning the gallery business, vilifying the very people who are making a difference in the art world today. Do your homework rather than spewing lies. Do you claim to know how prominent gallery's are doing business? You are guessing; shame on you!



Cease and desist immediately, or we will take action against all involved parties.

Sincerely,

A really really cool proper Gallery guv, honest would I lie to you? No son you put yer money away, on my muvver's life. Gallery, (obviously this last bit was added by me, just in case some fuck stupid Art world weasel thinks I'm just mis-quoting them)

What other people have to say about them . HERE oh yeah and HERE It was that "shame on you" bit that hurt the most.

So here's a notice to you. Keep sending me threatening emails and I'll keep posting them...........


" MANCHESTERPHOTOGRAPHY taking on scammers, bullies and Shylock's since 2007"

Preston? Manchester? Preston?

Dedicated to the Trustee's of The National Football Museum Preston. HERE for what I'm on about.......

Image copyright Mark Page

Really sorry to hear about Miss Blears car. No honestly I am. No really really sorry. Honest. Swear to God, I'm proper upset. Cross my heart.........

PDN & my mate Stan.

Image copyright of some shitty corporate website I can't remember the name of.

Well done to Stan Banos for taking PDN to task about their behaviour. PDN have not only apologised ( after a fashion) but as can be seen above, have completely re-selected the judging panel.

Rogues Gallery.

Keep your cameras and camcorders close folks, you never know when they may come in handy.

Evening All.

Dixon Of Dock Green has had a makeover. see here:

Pitting ur feet in yoou moth..........

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/manchester/7828121.stm

Wot e twet!

The Three Graces.

With Quotes Like This He Should Have Been A Footie Manager Instead!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/03/bushisms-over-the-years_n_154969.html

Cheers for this Stan http://reciprocity-failure.blogspot.com/

Busted!

Yesterday I got spotted by my first "Tramhead" I am happy to report that bewilderment rather than a smack in the mouth pursued. www.tramheads.blogspot.com

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