Dirty Beach Video Diary 24.08.08

Dirty Beach Diary 24.08.08 from Yemisi Blake on Vimeo.

News from Yemisi Blake 25.08.08

Hello people!

Yes, it's Carnival weekend! You wouldn't think it from the weather but this is the great British Summer in full flow. Wherever you are, I hope you're been able to catch some sunshine between the rain storms. This month I'm writing to you for the first time as a Sociology graduate and a freelance artist! A few things have changed since my last update, hope you enjoy this one and do get in contact with what you're up to. Share the news!

1. Three years of work, one piece of paper.

First off, I need to say thank you for the kind emails and messages I received congratulating me on completing my Sociology degree. I've been sending out this update and blogging for quite a while now, and I'm guessing that I mentioned my studies quite a lot. So I owe a thanks to everyone who helped me out by sending me links, speaking to me about Web 2.0, creativity and craftsmanship. (A special thanks goes out to Sara, the best library buddy in the world). However, three years of work and one piece of paper doesn't mean this will be the end of my rambles on those topics. I'll be blogging much more about creativity and social media here, http://www.blog.yemisiblake.co.uk

2. The London Literature Festival

The Southbank Centre celebrated the summer with the London Literature Festival July 5th-19th. On the first night of the festival, I curated a night of spoken word and music with fellow Emerging Artist in Residence Riz MC. We wanted to do something a little different for the festival, so we commissioned DJ Rich Reason to put together a special set of poetry recordings and music. I might be wrong but I'm pretty sure that was the first time that Dylan Thomas has been mixed with Bonobo with such style. Thanks to everyone who came (including performers Speakers Corner Quartet and Andreya Triana), you can see pictures here.

I also mentored five young curators during the five-week run up to an event they developed and executed amazingly! Working with Lucy Macnab (Participation Producer) I offered guidance, support and much needed stress relief as our recruits went about organising a special event for the Southbank Centre's Fresh Off The Page series. I know I say this about a lot of projects I work on (and I mean it everytime) but this one was really did change the way I look at my work. The end event, titled 'These Streets Sound Like London City' brought together poets, MC's, spoken word artists and musicians from around London, for an audience of hundreds. Congrats to our five young stars: Grace, Yewande, Gizella, Crystal and Daniel. I've put together a video-podcast of sights and sounds from the project. Would be great to know what you think...

3. Creative Ambition, Birmingham 2008

My time as a NALD Ambassador (National Association for Literature Development) comes to an end next month. As well as having access to training and development from NALD, the ambassadors have been working on our individual literature associated projects, which we'll present next month. In June I gave a preview of my project at the Creative Ambition conference in Birmingham. The session was called Learning by Doing, and my 20 minute presentation was on creative use of blogging by artists and art professionals, a focus on creative practice, learning, and professional development. On Oct 11th I'll be running a related workshop at an Academi event for emerging writers in Wales.

3. Coming-Up

Here are a few dates for events I'll be involved in over the coming months. Would be great to see you there!

Sept 18th - (Performance) T-Shirt and Jeans @ The Whitechapel Arts Gallery, Aldgate East, London. (Music, spoken word, comedy & more)

Oct 11th - (Workshop) Academi - Creative Art of Blogging Workshop, Wales (For emerging writers)

Oct 18th - (Performance) EAR Inspired @ The Southbank Centre (An event of entertainment curated by the Southbank Centre's Emerging Artists in Residence)

Nov 15th - (Performance) Herbie Hancock Remixed (Southbank Centre Emerging Artists in Residence respond to the London Jazz Festival)

4. Create, Connect, Communicate

Here are some links for you, check out the blog for more...

Bobbie Jane Gardner's Blog- Music in the Community blog (music, creativity, social media and random meanderings)

Jay Bernard's graphic review of Bernardine Evaristo's latest novel Blonde Roots. Published @ Culture Wars

David McQueen - Coach, motivational speaker and youth advocate.

Thanks for reading!

Pay *heart* Anna | Street Art, Russian Wedding Style

Hello people. Remember the Pat *heart* Anna padlock? How about the Pat *heart* Anna padlock guerilla art Keri Smith exercise? I found out (thanks to Helen) that putting padlocks on bridges is a Russian tradition for newlyweds. This is too cool.