A piece of my art has been stolen! It’s only taken me a week to click on, like. But it was taken from my space before I had to empty it!

Can you get that?!! I dunno how to take this, it’s not as if I was ever going to do anything else with it - but ya know… it’s the principle!

I found this blog, dedicated to the art market.

http://artmarketblog.com/

Check it, it’s pretty interesting. Even the post about finding the next “artist star”.

Please. Don’t insult our profession/ life/ dream/ existence.

Because of school regulations, we couldn’t have pictures with the kids in, so we took pictures of their work and of us lol.

And of course, the best picture of all………..

ME!!

Thanks to Jambon for the photo’s. All images are copyrighted to StreetForm! Ya heard?!

P.S. I have like the worst ear-ache arrrgghhhh!

I’ve decided that our relationship, both as writer (blogger) and reader // performer and voyager // artist and audience // writer and publisher etc, is take take take. On my behalf.

This blog is like a platform where I can share my anxieties without forcing them upon listening ears. (Not all of them like, lots of you still hear them in person) Never have I ever been so vein till I started writing a blog. These posts are Smizz at most vein. Its permanence is also pretty scary. So I’ve decided I’ve got a series of links to offer you guys!

www.crawleyali.blogspot.com = a collaborative duo. Some of Sheffield Hallam’s MA finest. They are offering an open submission to recently graduated artists. Check it.

http://dianaalidefamiliarization.blogspot.com/ = Another Sheffo Hallam MA project. These students are busy! Check out the Defamiliarization collaborations. The best of course, is Matthew Noel-Tod. You may remember him from a Polish film that he made (** censored real thoughts here **) Who obviously thought that he got an invitation from Art Sheffield 08. Sorry Noel-Tod, Esther Stocker has already submitted and done this with, “Cannot in all Conscience Do What You Request”. Except hers was a lot more well thought out.

I appreciate your invitation, however I¹m not going to contribute to theproject as I don¹t see any of my own interests in art as an artist and/or aviewer represented in the project.The request to supply 10 words is of no interest to me as an artist, norwould it interest me as a viewer.
As you seem to be trying to construct discourse-as-art, which I believe is acontemporary fallacy, I thought it best to reply with my reasons, ratherthan not reply at all. You are welcome to include my reply in place of 10words.

Today we had our FIRST ‘REAL’ school for StreetForm. I say “real” because it’s a school that approached us through reputation. However, the difference being that it was Primary school and not a secondary school. And you know what?

It was AWESOME. I’m not a fan of the 9/10 years olds. But these were pretty adorable - even for ghetto Smizz to admit. Too clingy - but you know - that’s how they are, aren’t they.

We were respected; enjoyed; and adored. I can see why people would prefer to teach primary school instead of secondary school - but I’m still not convinced. Secondary school teaching for me. I hope that they keep at the graffiti - they we’re all pretty shit hot at it for 9 year olds! And if it inspires them to do somethin ‘ in the future. we will have achieved our goals.

Trying to get to the school was ridiculas though; it really made me appericate how good our public transportation links are in the UK.!

Can’t wait to put the pictures up!

So, today I came clean about my heritage

In an encouraging message I got the other day, it said that they couldn’t think of nothing better than “someone like me” doing well. Which in all honesty made my day (or my month) because I respect this person in all totality. But then, in my born-into me skepticism… I was forced to wonder what “Someone like me” is. Who is someone like me? Is that stupid? Someone who tries but doesn’t quite get there. Someone working class etc.  It’s a typical Smizz thing to do to turn a possiitive into a negative. But It really has got me thinking.

Who is someone like me? For real.

We have these what I like to call ‘elitest’ meetings (makes me feel proper special - all Art&Language without the conceptual nature. ) There’s a select few of us who attend: 4 second years (including myself), 2 MA students, 1 first year and 1 Lecture/’Real’ Artist- out of office hours.

We have come to use the empty spaces that the Artworld, and its institutions such as Artschool running as a business, provides. How the plausibility of revolution, the classist view- the actual making and love of what we do as artists - is somewhat missing - in the marketisation of the gallerist and collectors etc.

We encouraged each of us to create a somewhat ‘virtual’ artist of what we would like to see in the artworld. Perhaps a projection on what we would like to be. Or create - or have in the future.

Mine came to me as a Colombian workin’ class kid, who was lucky enough to secure a scholarship at New York City Visual Arts under Kosuth (we can time travel) and they rented a place on the Lower Eastside and was part of the PAD/D movements. to put it in a nutshell.

Then I came out with it, when questioned. I’ve never openly admitted it; although we sometimes joke in passing judgements. But I’ve never EVER felt British/English or White.  I’m not sure where I fit; but i feel more black African American. mainly because of my upbringing.

Exploited, repressed, poverty stricken, culture fed by myself which is just movies, American sit-coms and hip-hop music. (That’s not me sayin - that’s what every Black African American does- because clearly it’s not. Nor am I suggesting I feel the pain of 2,000 years of slavery and still have racial abuse) but there are parrells in Working class society within a middle class structure. 

Growin’ up I struggled really hard to find out what suited me. Domestic violence; alcoholism; (there’s more) I know how to make a ketchup sandwich last all day.  I was bullied real bad in Junior school because I couldn’t afford Nike sneakers. And cuz I loved drawing. I’ve been classed as mentally retarded / having learning disabilities twice!!

Then in Highschool I turned all Chavvy in order to fit in. Shop lifted- gettin’ drunk in the park on White Lightening- becoming a DJ - attempted 2 make cool music videos - gettin’; int nightclubs before was necessary - didn’t try at school because it was the uncool thing to do. All the time I knew it wasn’t me. This ain’t who I am. But it’s what becomes of the majority of people where I come from. 

 this was all in about a year of hittin teen-dom. Then I got lucky - and a science teacher saw some potential in me, and got me off the dodgy road and helped me on the straight on. I feel honoured that I can pin point the moment. AND That some1 took a chance on “someone like me.”

That’s when I discovered graffiti - art - hip-hop- movies - Marxism- all this./ I educated myself. And everything felt right. I felt accepted. It felt like me. This was me. tHIS IS ME.

I ain’t denying my roots no more - I dunno where they are from - some are Irish; some are Polish the others i don’t know. But I know, I ain’t white. My culture and identity is fragmented from my oppressors who have stood before my ancestors before me.

And you know what, it felt good to say it out aloud- seriously. It sounds ridicolus. People think I put it on; but this is really how I have created myself from a young age and it feels right.

I’m at colligate library burning the midnight oils since I don’t have the internet - and I had to type up my list of galleries I’ve been to; just about to go home and write up my tutorial forms (like i’m supposed to do that after the tutorial - who does?) I’m pretty tired. I was up till 4:30am this morning. Doing the last bits to print and shizzle. What is done, is done. I can’t do anything more.

In the quiteness of the library -

I’ve realised I quite like deadlines.

I like the sound that they make as they ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooomM! Past!!

I can’t wait for this to be over; regardless of what I get - So I can stop being so serrrrrrrious!!

Rock on some fun blog posts!

This music Myspace page is pretty shit hot: http://www.myspace.com/mastershortie

I hate it. i do realise that

“CRITICISM
IS THE
CONTINUATION
OF CULTURE
BY OTHER
MEANS.”

And the irony of being ripped to shreds  (It hasn’t yet, but it will) in my assessment would be the validation the subject matter needs. Like that would make it ‘radical’ . It would be like when Hans Haacke got cancelled from the Guggenhiem in the 60’s. But Smizz got a shit mark for being critical and so on the mark with the current state of regeneration and gentrification of UK cities.  But I hate the waiting, the over fetishing of the work to suit those institutional boundaries which clogg the necessity of the work. I understand its a weakness of mine; trying to think creatively with WOWing tutors with something ‘radical/sophisticated’ because for me, it’s the meaning of the work. So yeah, why bind it in a book when it means nothing to do that? Ahh the hipocracy.

I’ve had 2 and half hours sleep since sunday. Rocccck On.

Today is amazing. It’s warm; there’s a warm breeze. Its one of those days you just wanna go to the park with a blanket with some friends and chill out.

Unfortunately, I can’t do that. We went to some art openings last night./ 7:30pm Friday  - 4:00am this morning. One hour turned into a mixture of some bad art (some good) and a real bad attempt at networking  to lets go for one drink - to getting chucked out of the bar - nasty nightout food - sianbon peeing outside some flats with the cops driving by - up 2 Sianbons house…. to then hittin’ that exhusted peek. And I don’t even drink!

So as a result today and tonight and 2mozzle I have to do my work and work till the early unsociable hours. I’ve got an award plan in hand though - when I finish my essay and other pieces of historical context etc - I’mma eat some Ben and Jerry’s ice cream [Kate bought me some back!]  as i’m really gettin’ grounded down - i wanna have fun but i’m exhusted having to be here, there and everywhere. (ice cream makes everything better ) I’ve got a cold now. so i’m poorly. I’m not down wid that. But I’ll eat the ice cream and imma watch Alvin and the Chipmunks. Yes I don’t have to be a pretensious artist allllllllllllll the time,. quite frankly its tiring being pretenscious. ;o)

So anyone who reads this, get yo ass outside and enjoy the sun - it only happens about once a month in Sheffield. :p

Is slowly becoming one of my favourite art zines. About last year, I couldn’t care less… but reading it now - i can feel just the heeps and bounds that I have overcome. I understand loadssss of art theory and debates now. Unlike last year.

But reading through the issues, right at the end, it states who wrote it and what they do. Of course, in my mind I like to think the writer choose what kind of “facebook” status they give themselves. For example, ” Dave Beech is an artist.” 

“Ian Hun is editor of Art Monthly”

One of them was a reader of fine art and Art Monthly. A reader!?!

Surely anyone is a reader of Fine Art if you pick up a book. Skepticism right.

Well I’ve been thinking, what would my Art Monthly Facebook type of status be? I have come up with:

Sarah Smizz is an artist of some sort.  /// Sarah Smizz vandalises and calls it art. /// Sarah Smizz is a revolutionary. /// Sarah Smizz is an art student who hates the institution but jumps through their hoops. // Sarah Smizz is an idiot. //// Sarah Smizz is an artist in Sheffield. /// Sarah Smizz is a reader. // Sarah Smizz is a reader of Heat (i’m not) //// Sarah Smizz really has no opinion on this subject. /// sarah smizz should hibernate. /// Sarah Smizz is a lonely artist. //// Sarah Smizz fancies the idea of Jean Baudrillard. /// Sarah Smizz is a Sarah Smizz// Sarah Smizz this is not a sarah smizz // Sarah Smizz is  a writer on art (she wrote an essay once) and writes on her blog. /// Sarah Smizz is an artist cuz she says she is. /// Sarah Smizz is hungry (I really am) /// Sarah Smizz has no common sense. /// Sarah Smizz sometimes calles herself a philosopher. // Sarah Smizz is a ghettoblaster and gun poet. /// Sarah Smizz is an artist in the Donx ghetto. /// sarah smizz is a working class artist. /// Sarah Smizz is an art student at Sheffield Hallam University.

Yeah. And did you know? i’m going to share my wisdom wid y’all right now. Art world is not one word and should not have a capital (unless at the start of the sentence). You know why? because it’s not a realllllll place!! Can you believve that? I was hoping to book 2 go there!!!

On other news - my moms just called me 2 tell me shes bought me a HUGE 2 foot picture of New York. Awwwwwhhh. I always thought I was out of sight .. out of mind. This time I’m not! Ace.

A fear that’s been circulating in my head lately, besides global avian flu pandemic and bad failure, has been privacy. not being certain who to share my life and experiences with. not that i have this egoistic idea that my life is circulated around the water thingy. i was recently reminded of an incident in which my hanging out with some people turned into a live journal entry. and then i realized my life could be public outside of my control. which made me uncomfortable.

Yeah, I know its world wide - and I like that I get loads of readers - thus why I try and post everyday to get more - yet it hinges me to think someone BIG someone who I know as a colleague or friend of a friend might have read this. It becomes so much more personal when it gets personal!

which makes me think all the time that bill murray was so right about fame and fortune. try fortune first. but maybe this fear is a hang up. a conservative view from an old man. maybe i need to sharpen with the times. recognize that every life is public on some level. realize that the public can be manipulated for my own gain. but i don’t have the energy. to be splashy in an attempt to spread the name, increase brand presence. another aspect of privacy that irks me is the tracking of my choices, particularly when it comes to purchases and destinations. i understand the positive of buying a ticket to an african american film, increasing the market for such endeavors, but i don’t like the idea of my buying expensive imported olives used as a tool to eradicate other items in the supermarket that are equally as vital. i have no example. anyone with a club card gets where this is going. or should. we are being assessed as to what our brains want on a level that is very smart, but begins to smell like a track. a slowly narrowing of choices, alterable only through riot. i just want to have a billion niche items at my fingertips.

and again, rambling without giving thought to what i’m trying to convey. perhaps i should keep a live journal, afterall, get all nitty n gritty with you. i SUGAR COAT most things.or buy sea world and set the whales free. i chose a pretty stupid thing to love doing, writing a blog when ever i’m bored, if i’m gonna be worried about privacy.
Enjoy your freedom people.
when the time comes i will unsettle these words to rise at all cost & at every risk to myself will i defend this judgment-your time is useless if thats what you make of it. the decission for risk doesnt have much time allotted. this is the “now” i speak of.

to Never hold back a mOment that you might regret stumbling Words with.

crafting words to rise common meaning within you is the simple part-complexing the idea so the select will understand the movement as a task-i’ve spent a weeks shorebound & i’ve felt the sand part beneath my feet & the sun color my skin-my inspiration dulled without a sense of time-i’ve become oxidized in the sense that i’ve been over exposed to a sharp oxygen/hydrogen molecule & as calming as it is-i find myself fitted against the tide now-the shoreline seems to receed as the white wash peeks at my feet.

here is where i fell-this is where land met water & i knew why.

i’ve only begin to hold on

what is it to have faith? The way to collect knowledge?

The only person who doesn’t have a Mac book is a philosopher. Wow.

All of our desire is for the past. A place and a time and where is the right place to host a host? Nobody knows death whilst death is the closest thing we can get to access our Being according to Heidegger because it gets rid of a the tedious nature that clogs our journey to finding it. There is a constant process of Being and not existing.

The moment that we grasp the present – it is gone.

Does time exist?

Does History exist?

Everything we do exists in time + in history. The story of death is absolutely fundamental. With death there is a birth. We look to Christianity for examples and the occurrence of Western Philosophy with the death of both of their creators – Jesus and Socrates.

We look to se7en for an amazing example of the gift of Death.

Now that is pure genius.

What makes contemporary art sell? What gets you that gallery? What makes you famous? Contemporary Art as Dialogue has all the answers here. Need a First in your Art Degree? Need that gallery proposal acceptance. Forget trying to give meaning to our consumeristic lives; stop trying to kill the false being inside and really, you gotta stop with those ideals of helping the start of the Spiritual Revolution. Be serious for a moment. This is the answer to you artists that are crowding the artscene. We’re like the DaDarists…. and Art&Language but better… no that’s just jokes… But arrogance gets you everywhere too!

so 1) Making big statements like the above, we love that. *

1. Must be a painter.
2. Your work must include birds and/or ladders.
3. Your name must be of foreign decent - pref Eastern Europe - Sarah Smizz just doesn’t cut it!
4. Must apply your middle name because it makes you sound more important. If you don’t have one, make it up.
5. Statement must be rhetoric and contradictory.
6. Artists must own the “art glasses”. If you don’t own any, you can get a pair from H&M (we have.)
7. Must not have a price tagg in the gallery, but a seperate sheet of prices already pre decided that you have to ask the gallery assistant for.
8. Must be Neo-Formalism (Yes, and be a painter - deny your roots for money)
9. Must have a degree from a London Art School - who pays attention to students from Huddersfield or Sheffield with Art Degree’s?
10. Must be middle class- no working class scum allowed - if we could - we’d stop likes of us even entering the gallery. Forget the greats were all working class, it’s not relevant.
11. You must have a foreign (guest) curator who is an art writer/critic - but not necessarily a curator.
12. Curation must be so bad, that it is actually justified.
13. Your gallery, if wanting to sell your work, but have a heavy metal door and big buzzer to enter.
14. In the gallery setting, a Mac computer must be insight.
15. Your leaflets must be photocopied- as that’s all the art students pay attention too for log book modules.
16. At your exhibition openin, everyone must be in formal wear- wearing what we in the industry call, ” Art Suits”
17. Must have some French in your artist’s statement.
18. Accept to do a talk about your work - and read from a sheet - do not have any presentational skills at all.
19. Accept to do a talk about your work - but talk about something completely irrelavent. Don’t talk about themes that your work follows or even refer to your work at all.
20. Never, ever consider putting your work in a different more stimulating environment other than the white gallery cube. If you fail to do this, then your work will be frowned upon. how can it be taken seriously if it doesn’t fit the marketisation standards of the artworld?
21. Take inspiration off your lecturers at college that you looked up to, and basically plagerise what they do in their practice and deny any influence of them. No one will question it.

* This is just all jokes. Or is it? Always be rhetoric. Empty the potentionality of your work thrugh the agency of the institution.