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 Nick Griffin on Question Time/ Image: NewsPics Ltd/BBC The aftermath of Thursday night’s Question Time, BBC1’s flagship current affairs show, is everywhere; from tabloids to broadsheets, Facebook to Twitter, blogs to bus stops. As I type, the BBC Trust is busy setting up ad-hoc committees to deal with appeals made against Griffin appearing on the show. But I’m left wondering why the uproar even began, and continues today.
The whole scenario is a storm in a teacup, starting with Peter Hain’s and Alan Johnson’s opposition to the BBC’s decision to allow Nick Griffin to partake in the ‘debate’. Are not some of the fundamental pillars of democracy freedom of expression, speech and unrestricted debate? On this issue, I agree with Mark Thompson: denying Griffin’s presence on QT would have not only gone against the entire premise of liberal democracy, but would have also harked back to the Thatcherian broadcasting ban of the 1980s that firmly belongs back in that decade and not in 2009.
The show did not tell us anything we did not already know or were not expecting. Of course Griffin was going to be controversial and air his hollow policies and historically-incorrect data (I would like to find a definition and evidence of ‘indigenous Briton’). Bravo, Gordon Brown, for having the foresight to predict that all the hour-long session would do was expose Griffin’s racism and bigotry.
This was also thanks to the tasteless level of debate throughout the show. Jack Straw’s circumvention of audience questions regarding the BNP’s rise to power being correlated with Labour’s failings in immigration policy, and perpetual cornering of Griffin and his policies turned QT into nothing more than a repetitive witch-hunt. It highlighted Straw’s inability to take responsibility for his party’s failings and to admit the entire reason Griffin became an MEP and guest on the show is thanks to the work of Labour, as Gary Younge earlier commented on in much depth.
The whole programme only reminded us of the stagnant and bleak nature of British politics today. It’s an autumnal Friday, but we remain frustrated, discontented, and still no closer to healing the vulnerability and cynicism the Labour Party’s deception and failures have plunged us into.
For highlights and transcripts of the show click here.
Somewhere between Google Street View and Second Life emerged Wild Style City, an online graffiti application that lets users create virtual pieces and throw ups on the streets of San Fransisco. It’s an interesting idea, as it essentially allows users to participate in this subculture while circumventing the illegality of the art form. However, there are a few caveats which may limit the success of WSC, (at least while it’s still new and shiny).
Apart from the streets loading at a frustratingly slow speed, as similar to Google Street View, the program used to actually create pieces isn’t much more sophisticated than your basic Microsoft Paint accessory—and we all know how easy that is to navigate.
Technological gripes aside, applications like these are emerging rapidly and have the potential to create new communities of artists, and new forums for citizen engagement. Both of which we think are worthy of consideration. Check it out!
 CCTV camera in classroom at Davenant Foundation School (Credit: The Waltham Forest Guardian) Students at The Davenant Foundation School in Loughton, UK recently participated in a series of protests over the installation of CCTV cameras in their classrooms. Some students, after missing three weeks of classes to voice their opposition returned to lectures only after they were promised that the cameras would be turned off. The school defended its actions by claiming that the cameras would only be used to highlight good teaching practices and would not be used to monitor students’ behavior. Nevertheless, upon their return, many students wore scarves or masks to cover their faces, and the UK privacy watchdog, the Information Commissioner’s Office, has been notified.
What kind of surveillance society are the kids of the next generation growing into, and being encouraged to accept unquestioningly? There is something very disturbing about an institution treating the children it is meant to educate like criminals. Respect to these kids who stood up for their civil liberties—many adults wouldn’t have had the guts to do the same!
See here for more info…
Cool and Related:
Inspired by these students, this past Friday comment writer Henry Porter launched an essay contest in the Guardian for students entitled: “What Mr Seward doesn’t know about pupils’ rights,” (Mr. Seward is the headmaster of the Davenant Foundation School). First prize is £50; max. length 250 words. Check it out!
Here’s a little piece of cool to keep you going for the weekend…
“Do it Yourself” is a series of free installations, films, and performances to be hosted by the Tate Modern throughout the Bank Holiday weekend. Inspired by the Arte Povera and Post-minimalist movements, it’s sure to be something to do—either by yourself or with a few friends!
JoC faves include:
This interactive installation located in the Turbine Hall is a recreation of the original, and examines the tension between art and audience. Typical of the Minimalist movement, artists such as Carl Andre, Dan Flavin and Morris, created sculptures that would interact both with their installation spaces and their audiences. Today, in a culture that craves interactivity, the recreation of this major work is all the more relevant. And even if you don’t agree, it’ll still be awesome to finally be allowed to touch—well, jump on—some really expensive art. (See above film clip).
A classic. A must-see. One of Fellini’s best works. Free. Need we say more?
 Walking Sculpture (Click for more pics on Pistoletto's site) Pistoletto, one of the major players in the Arte Povera movement originally took his Newspaper Sphere (1966), on a ‘walk’ through the streets of Turin as part of his Open Studio Projects of 1967. The boulder of pressed newspaper was said to represent “the constantly shifting, newsworthy events of life”, and attracted passers-by and other artists to join in on the walk. Saturday, the artist will recreate both the sculpture and the exhibit using modern newspapers, reflecting a current global context. Go for a walk with them!
For a full listing of the events this weekend @ the Tate Modern click here.
Hypocrites unite! I’ve come across a brilliant vid, produced by Slate Magazine. The three minute mocumentary about the ‘next big thing’ highlights the absurdity of this narcissistic-instant-media-obsessed culture that we are all part of . Once the video was launched Slate promptly tweeted about it. JoC will likely be following suit. (Hey, if you can’t laugh at yourself, someone else surely will!)
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October 24th, 2009 | 
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