Vivienne’s Diary 21 – 27 May
Monday, 21 May: Weather glorious. Left home at 8 am with Cynthia for Google’s Zeitgeist conference at the Grove Hotel in Herefordshire (about an hour outside London) – due to talk in the early afternoon. We went early to get an idea of what the conference was about. The audience was mainly Google advertisers and employees – people with a lot of money and influence.
The first panel discussion on the current political situation – Greece and the Euro – bludgeoned me into incredulity. Worthless discussion about upturns, downturns, cycles and growth and not including the factor of climate change: like preparing the Sunday roast and not turning on the heat because the house is burning down. Why am I here? I can read this stuff in the papers.
We first met our friend, Marc Koska, at a previous conference. These things are networking opportunities to raise support for our causes. And Marc has a wonderful cause: he invented a disposable syringe – only one time use is possible – that has saved millions of lives. Massive spread of disease in poor countries is due to using the same syringe and needle on a string of patients. After 20 years of finding ways to combat the practice of drug companies, his safe syringe will become the only model used, supported by the World Health Organization. Great news!
Lily Cole and Jimmy Wales (the founder of Wikipedia) were interviewed By CNN anchor, Becky Anderson. Jimmy is endorsing Lily and her project, giving her the technical help she needs to inaugurate her ‘gifting’ website, “ImPossible”.
Now I was to be interviewed by Becky Anderson. Nobody had yet mentioned climate change and I was bored by the audience and didn’t care what I would say. But I was angry and it all came out anyway – my mantra: climate change is caused by the bad financial system; human values instead of abstract sums about money. When Becky tried to ask me questions I told her, “You’re trying to interrupt me” and carried on in full spate until I was finished.
Then! The members of the audience were delighted and clapped and hooted. I was surprised and of course really pleased.
Then! The lightning struck! Annie Lennox and a presentation on HIV/AIDS and its impact on women and children in Sub-Saharan Africa. “Did you know?” she asked us. “One in three women and children die from AIDS in Africa.” I did not put my hand up; one or two did. She told us that there is treatment to prevent transmission from mother to child at birth.
I have never heard anything like this speech. The power of this woman is a phenomenon! Passion and oratory on a grand scale. I told her later and she rang with laughter, “Nobody would have listened to Hitler if you’d been around.”
Cynthia and I had decided to leave that evening. We could have stayed another day to network. Lily stayed; I’ll ask her how it went.
Tuesday, 22 May: Yoga class. Shopping (food) and letters. 4.00 at work. Met ????, photographer, and Joanna who took an impression of my finger to cast for a charity exhibition of lots of fingers and her work. I came also to collect Andreas. He wanted to come with me and we set off on our bikes to a Conde Nast Traveller event where I accepted an award for sustainability on behalf of Cool Earth. Then, as we were in the West End, we made it an evening and met my son, Joe, for dinner. We have lots to talk about but I won’t tell because Joe is not really part of this diary but he does “stuff”. He has a human rights charity called “Humanade” (www.humanade.org.uk) . He supports Leonard Peltier and also the “Inga Foundation” which is an agricultural project which replaces the slash and burn agriculture of the rainforest. On the way home, I looked in at the windows in Selfridges promoting the “World’s End” shop and showing my graphics, e.g. The Family Tree, which has drawn a lot of attention.
I loved being out with Andreas. We are so lucky in life and, who knows, this might be the last age of great material wealth. Before I went up to bed I stayed in the kitchen adoring the flowers in the middle of the table. Andreas had bought them. It’s always lovely to choose the flowers yourself rather than letting the florist do it. These are still in their glory but tomorrow it will be over. Thank you, flowers.
Wednesday, 23 May: This evening the Royal Academy hosted a Jubilee party for the arts. The Queen will give the awards.
I usually borrow something but almost all the Summer Collection was in Hong Kong. I spent all day messing about at home but I couldn’t find the right thing in my own wardrobe. I had been asked to go with my muse and that was Lily Cole who I was supposed to meet at work. These things can take ages (one reason for wearing the same things over and again. Chanel had all her clothes organized as outfits with numbers for each.) If it weren’t for Lily, I think I might have just not gone – there were at least 1,000 people there and I wouldn’t have been missed. When I got to work, Andreas had also spent the whole day and he had managed to collect a rail of outfits for me and for Lily to choose. So it was all sorted. Andreas did it.
We arrived – I thought early (it was still only 6.00) – but in fact we were late. The organizer kept saying, “Please come, I have to get you in.” But I, true to my own bossy character, delayed in order to talk to the BBC live because I’m a great fan of the Queen. The result was I missed being in the group picture of British dames but never mind.
I was able to talk to Lily. She said that the next day at the Zeitgeist conference, President Clinton gave a good speech and that he did mention climate change. She also told me about a group called “World Land Trust” (www.worldlandtrust.org), who sound like people we should be working with about climate change.
I did some networking – Annie (again), Bono and Paul Smith. I hope to involve them in our big event in July – celebrities to lead the way – saving the planet from Climate Change.
It must have been about 8.30 when I left. Piccadilly was thronging plus total traffic bock. I headed for Green Park tube and headed home. I quite enjoyed being so dressed-up on the tube even though the trains were packed.
Thursday, 24 May: Dentist. Worked on “World’s End”. Cynthia went to the pre-BAFTA premier of the documentary, “Shadows of Liberty”. Cynthia says: This film by a young Canadian, Jean-Philippe Tremblay, presents the story of the global control of politics and media by vested economics interests. Big business in partnership with governments decides what the media tells us – we only know what they want us to know. The powerful and dismaying stories presented by journalists including Amy Goodman (Democracy Now), Dan Rather (former CBS News anchor) and Julian Assange (Wikileaks) happened in the US – but the same forces are at work internationally. Julian also took part in an audience discussion afterwards(wearing a Guy Faulkes mask!) further examining the media crisis and looking at the future of the internet.
Evening: Andreas and I went to ”The Prince’s Drawing School” for a private view of “The Prince’s Drawing Club’s” annual exhibition. For my speech I had planned to talk of the imagination – insight and the fact that we are cross-wired refer to Manifesto pgs 14 & 15; that the appreciation of art is direct knowledge and that the foundation of visual art is skill in drawing; the importance of art in creating true culture. The place was packed, half of them young children. I hadn’t expected this so I had to adapt my speech and I really enjoyed the task of explaining these intellectual ideas so that young people could understand something of it. Prince Charles has identified a well-felt need in establishing this school and its regional drawing clubs. Our stale academies of visual art (e.g. Goldsmith’s) tech only dogma, not skill.
Andreas and I were blown away! This school is so great. The facilities are a dream. Kids attend from age 10; with parents’ consent they can do nude life drawing from age 12 (they are taught by artists); students can take an MA arts degree here. There is also a department of Islamic crafts with an incredibly high standard resulting in beautiful objects.
The listed building is an old fur warehouse; the interior is beyond well done. Just believe me – it’s great. The teachers are so lucky to teach here; they have such support from everything – the structures and the whole programme – being so conducive to creative output. The atmosphere vibrates with potential. Andreas and I were really inspired. He can’t wait to receive a drawing of a horse and rider he was allowed to choose.
Friday, 25 May: Thank God for “Greenpeace”. They’re the ones who got us the Antarctic. It’s international. No one can disturb it. Now they must do this for the Arctic. We must put an end to the obscene quarrels for ownership between the US, Canada, Russia, Norway and Denmark or agree to our own suicide. Greenpeace will do it. The plan is simple genius. More of this another time. Why did they want to come and talk to me? – John Sauven, Executive Director, Greenpeace UK, and his colleague Sophie came to see me at work – I guess when you plan such a smooth operation as is required you need all the help and support you can get and talking adds to and fixes the idea. Andreas listened, too. He is so visual and auditory (I am more literary). He was so taken by John, by his presence, tranquillity and grace, clarity and determination (these are my words). Small things, bits and pieces for the rest of the day.
Saturday, 26 May: Yoga. Despite the glorious weather – the same, reading – but sat in the garden a bit. Andreas went out to a party and club. (There was also the problem of Sudoku – it can end up taking too much time.)
Sunday, 27 May: One day I must tell you about the book I am still reading (because I need to read other things between), “The Story of the Stone” – the greatest reading experience I have ever had
I think it was great that you attended the royal jubilee party.. For the arts You are a great British spokes woman for britain. I think your are true to your British culture and it’s arts…. You looked fabulous.
I do love our royal family. They give the culture that many other countries don’t have.
I wish that Our royals would have had the power as they did centuries ago , where parliament was govend by the queen instead of the fools we have in parliament.
I have lost all my passion for my own country due the government of Britain.
I saw your new queens jubliee tee shirt you have created in silk that has war and peace
this is a beautiful piece ..yet I have lost my my faith in the british flag…due to our government… Sorry if this afends anyone. I lived in Cyprus for 10 years and after I
retuned to the uk I could see a big change in our country …
I have to take my hat off for the amazing Annie Lennox she has a beautiful heart
I support her in every way for HIV in Africa.
These countries that mean very little to our governments
they will Never get the treatment as the westernised countries have.
No one in this world should die of this illness anymore.
There are my antiretroviral drugs available. Yet pharmaceuticals pervent countries like africa to gain access to the amount of drugs available.. Due to funding.
There are ARV treatment to prevent pregnant women from passing HIV to her child . Without treatment there will be a high chance that the baby will develop this illness.
We don’t realise that we are lucky as treatment is available.
If you look at climate change we never really hear about countries whom have lost their homes to climate change as the countries mean very little to governments of the world.
People who read this may think that I am very bitter towards a higher government. I love all people who have compassion towards another life less fortunate then there own.
I would like to think that one day we can controll climate change and to find a cure for HIV and cancer … Or is there a cure??? If there was a cure for HIV and cancer then how would our governments decrease the surface population… Think about it !!!!!!
Peace to all
Love Ian
Comment by Ian on 31/05/2012 at 9:46 pm
I can’t believe i missed out on the Grove! .. I live about 10 minutes from the hotel, – would have been a brilliant function to have attended but never mind!
I will watch the videos in the morning as I’ve popped on to check out the site quite late! (or early in the morning as it is 1.50am) … I just can’t stop thinking.
Once you become an Art Lover … I believe you also become a thinker, and thinking is (in my eyes) today better than feeling. We must think before we feel! and Im thinking far too much … (i think?!)
I really want to go to the Princes drawing club exhibition, – I love seeing Artwork done by younger people sometimes, … it’s a breath of fresh air and often very inspiring !
Sam x
Comment by Sam Varnham on 01/06/2012 at 12:53 am
Dear Vivienne,
In typical journalistic style, Becky certainly didn’t seem to like it when she couldn’t control you! Thoroughly enjoy how you stuck to your guns, not enough people do that nowadays, it is indeed very refreshing! Something which people in general need to try and do.
It never ceases to amaze me though that people haven’t seen the blatantly obvious link that you have made regularly about the economic crisis being a symptom of the ecological crisis. Under excessive capitalist culture the world is run for cheap labour and cheap natural resources and, unfortunately for us and for Gaia, as these resources run out they become more expensive! One point that you made which I thought was really important was about the woman whose family were all out of work, and how this situation was needed in order for the financial structure as it is now to work.
This particular interview I think is really good, some of the points he makes seem a little heartless, yes, but he covers the idea that the rich (in particular Goldman Sachs) rule the world very well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpg76VjTa58
At the end of the day, until we get our priorities right, we won’t be able to save the economy or the planet! But I do feel almost useless as an individual. Yes I can donate to Cool Earth as much as I can and try to conserve energy of course, but I feel like unless we change public opinion these efforts are futile. I just wish there was more that I could do to help change public opinion!
We really do need a revolution. A cultural revolution (not in the sense of Mao though of course!)
Until we all take time from out oh so busy lives to stop and actually think, taking a leaf from the book of the Ancient Greek philosophers, then there is little chance that out planet and life as we know it, is going to survive for much longer unfortunately 🙁
On a lighter and much less serious note, however, I too am a huge fan of Annie Lennox, she really does light up the room and she is so powerful and talented and CARING I think that it is hard for people to dislike her!
I look forward to your next diary instalment,
James Emmett
Comment by James Emmett on 01/06/2012 at 8:58 am
Dear Vivienne
We would like to invite you as a guest speaker at our upcoming combined arts event that would seek to bridge the gap between radical thinking and the main stream.
Celebrating and promoting genuine individuality, we want to use the arts as a vehicle to spread a message of inclusiveness, diversity and difference as still a possibility in today’s rather rigidly constructed society.
The arts as an endeavour particular to humanity can prove these aims through its inherent participatory nature whether as a spectator or practitioner, and out of which new ideas, forms and possibilities can arise: in other words, the arts extol the virtues of living, and not the version given to us by the risk averse multi national core.
The venue: The Occupy Site
The date: Friday 15th June 2012, 4pm onwards.
We shall put on a mini music and arts festival crossing scopes and genres to show that good art has no bounds and can be appreciated across a wide spectrum of people. Occupy UK and a collection of ‘sub-culture’ artists team up and seek to open a dialogue that asks questions of the sterility given to us as though genuine and the norm and that which provides pre-formatted pockets of ‘individuality’ that one need not question and feel safe within. We together want to start a positive approach to protest and ask all who feel strongly, to take part and put on an experience that shows that there is an alternative, one ambiguous so far but one that we hope would spark a proper debate as to where things have gone wrong and where we might actually be able to change it.
Bands already signed up:
Dead Days Beyond Help
Nought
Hackney Colliery Band
The Devil
Mr Ron Jetson
Shake Rag
Arch Stanton
Some jazzers who don’t have a name.. obviously. And some free improvisers…
With a performance by the internationally acclaimed, Sign Dance Collective who will be performing their show “Half a Penny”, a piece that cuts together various political speeches from right to left, rendering them useless and/or meaningless at dealing with the condition of man. Signed the whole way through, and ending by asking the question: “are you human?”. A true take on the world through deaf ears… The question being, who is it exactly, who is deaf?
http://sites.google.com/site/signdancecollective/
The most exciting thing about this is there is no genre. It’s about like minded artists coming together to try and demonstrate the idea of difference.
Other guest speakers include.. (we hope and will ask):
Chris Whitehead – Boy in Skirt (boy who was nominated for a human rights prize):
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/schoolboys-skirt-protest-up-for-human-rights-award-6265406.html
Bradford Protester (recently saved the Bradford Odeon from being turned into flats) will speak about a recent successful protest:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-18032434
Jeremy Deller – the most socially influential contemporary artist of our time:
http://www.jeremydeller.org/
Nick Night – interesting views on how to bring politics into fashion.
http://showstudio.com/project/political_fashion#interview_nick_knight
Last year was the “Year of the Protester” according to Time magazine. This is in honour to everybody who got off of their back side to do something about their grievances. We know that we live in a time where opportunities are available to young people but the problem is that there is so much discontentment amongst the youth of today. Perhaps we are nostalgic in our belief that the arts play a fundamental role in securing community and sustaining social awareness. We realise that it is an ambitious project but we have every confidence that if nothing else, we can put on a fun, positive day out for those people who want to see change but are not quite sure where to start.
We want to invite you to tell us your thoughts on the above. I myself am in fashion and re launching my label in a couple of weeks. I have found it so hard to stay true to myself, rather than worry only about who my market is and who is going to buy it. That is how we are taught to think these days. But designers like yourself can inspire others to create and use art and design to make a change.
We hope you can come. Sorry to post this on your blog but I wasn’t sure how else to contact you! You can contact me at kelly@kellyshaw.co.uk.
If anyone else is reading this and wants to get involved, please also get in touch.
Kelly
Comment by Kelly Shaw on 01/06/2012 at 1:47 pm
I forgot to mention yesterday that I know you talked to the Occupy movement when they were at ST Paul’s and I know they would appreciate your continued support…
Comment by Kelly Shaw on 02/06/2012 at 11:20 am
Dear Vivienne
I am a self taught creative/artist..i have paintings, odd bags/jewellery, clay sculptors and lots of little bits inbetween.. im not really making a living out of it yet as i have had so much to deal with in my life .I had little lucky breaks here and there..but not really comming to much. Over a number of years i have been messing around with dress designs. I have not studied fashion… although it seems to come through in some of my paintings. I have some designs on a website.. ‘Not just a label’. Im thinking…will i go back to college somehow? and learn how to create clothes. I have a couple of meetings with some local dress makers who might be able to help me get started, with somthing simple at first. Not sure where its all going? Do i make the leap with the fashion? I secretly do have such a pull for do it..I would so much love for you to look at what i have. The webpage is above. I have tried to make it a link but it didnt work. I really wanted to contact you for a long time… this was the only way. Also its scarey writting to such a person like yourself.
Kind Regards L.A McEwan
Comment by Lisa McEwan on 02/06/2012 at 4:55 pm
http://www.notjustalabel.com/creaturestrange?nid=19591 this is the web page
L.A McEwan
Comment by Lisa McEwan on 02/06/2012 at 4:57 pm
The link did work… sorry for the mess of it all!!
Comment by Lisa McEwan on 02/06/2012 at 4:59 pm