Sunday, March 1, 2009

no one reads this shit anyway


This dialogue between yrgoldenage and the Christchurch scene should end, or at least transfigure shit-talking into something helpful. While never intending to abuse our position of modesty and removal from the scene we have nevertheless reached an impasse. While bound to a scene that is noncommittal-largely denying its very existence-and writing in a voice that is mostly not our own, shit-talking for the sake of shit-talking, our writing has become a sort of minor heresy. The unfortunate conjunction of utilizing the gossip that comprises the majority of conversations on the scene in an attempt to alleviate this problem, through recognizing it and publishing it thus invalidating the gossip is ignored. Many choose to see yrgoldenage as a trumped up, bloated selfish act.

While I am in no position to suggest to anyone a course of action that may prove beneficial to the scene (who would follow my suggestions anyway?) I feel obligated to try to create something honest and direct, as these two qualities are currently denied on this website as it is spoken through a voice which is only a small part of my personality, just as the drunken and drugged nights of the new hedonism represent only a part of the scene who are just as emotionally fraught and troubled by their failures and mistakes as we all are. How can we take this scene seriously enough to invest most nights attending gigs and money in dressing appropriately, but not seriously enough to critically analyze ourselves and attempt to improve ourselves and the greater whole?

My suggestions for self-improvement are irrelevant anyway, predicated on a firm-seated belief in authenticity and legitimacy. I sincerely hope that people can do more with their lives.

Positive aspects of Christchurch include

  1. A series of well maintained gardens and parks ideal for events in which discussions of art, politics and culture could occur. Furthermore, self-promoted exhibitions and performances could be held within such areas. They currently are not; most events occur within rigidly defined areas such as galleries and bars.
  2. A small population in which everyone knows each other, and so events can be organized easily and need minimal promotion.
  3. Small groups of people committed to promoting and improving Christchurch, for example Red Panda, the Moores, Okay Jams, Alt Music Christchurch, High Street Project, Physics Room. Such groups should become the central driving force behind making Christchurch a real cultural centre for New Zealand.
  4. Well equipped amenities, a public library with free internet, spaces where performances, speeches, and listening parties can occur.
  5. Positivity. In the 2006 Big Cities report, surveyors concluded 'the majority (87%) of Christchurch residents rated their emotional well-being positively, stating they were either very happy (33%) or happy (54%).'
The alternative is walking down Bealey Ave on Friday night. That is what the reality of Christchurch is, boy racer violence. I would prefer to try to alleviate this problem and create something actually meaningful in this city rather than trying to deny it. As it is, by simply wearing clothing purchased from Honour & Obey or perhaps the new World store and drunkenly attending gigs and sullenly standing with arms crossed and offering muted criticism in hushed tones, this scene will remain as dull and staid as Warren and Mahoney's Clarendon Tower.

4 comments:

micky22 said...

I feel that that the scene is or has become way more positive than it was say five years ago (to show my age) I think there appears to be a lot of apathy towards the whole thing which is a shame as if people don't go along with the forward momentum then it tends to be dropped like a hot potato and so has to be started from scratch again, And the only people who lose out are the people who don't contribute.
There are always going to be haters in a tall poppy sense but that wouldn't be Christchurch if there wasn't .

Poms said...

Nice stuff.

Problems:
1. It's a garden city, there are plenty of nice gardens around. Maybe something following the mould of public pianos as in Birmingham?

2. The spread out nature of Christchurch is hard to counter by mere suggestion. Perhaps encouraging local community, there are a lot of people who will not be interested in the musical or even artistic element of "the scene", just engaging a wider audience. Drawing away from the focus on alcoholism and violence that is increasingly becoming mainstay for our male youth population.

3. How about engaging in the service elements of the city that already exist. Many volunteer based organisations are struggling not necessarily due to lack of funding, but lack of people. Plant a tree, help a homeless person, be a fireman. Create community, engage with those elements of society that you, as a scene, belittle.

Utilising the power of internet, using it to garner people power without being lost in its immensity and procrastination potential.

Good constructive thoughts though, nice to see yrgoldenage branching away from neo-meta.

Maca said...

Long time reader first time commenter. Been in Chch for EVER. This is a fine place to live, provided not falling into slackdom (your point, I think.) Could live anywhere (London, New York, South America, West Coast)but we choose where the living is best for us personally. Not a value judgement, just a city.

Have found that people hating Chch usually have some identity / self esteme issues connected with upbringing here, and usually don't move further than Wellington, Auckland or Melbourne.

Tall poppy not always bad, cos keeps quality high, but remember people ALWAYS gonna bitch about shit. Best approach: suck it up and keep learning, I reckon.
Yrgoldenage is GOOD and has more fans that you think. DON'T STOP plsthanxbai

Jonathan Phillips said...

thank you, this "new positivity" is nothing but good vibes. now all we need are some people to actually start using the spaces we have to make something exciting and different, or if not exciting and different at least make something.

micky 22, poms, and maca, are all rad. thank you for commenting and "getting involved"