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Diversity isn’t just about equality of opportunity. It is about all of those things, but actually it’s because we want
the arts to be better. We want the arts to be as good as they can be. You need the diversity.
This is an opportunity to come and see new work, emerging artists, also some established artists as well, and get a
flavour of the direction or the vision that, you know, the arts and cultural practices is going at the moment.
The world comes to one place, you know. So there’s a whole range of people here.
I mean, I’ve been talking to people from Africa, there are people here from Australia, from North America, from other parts of Europe.
I’m really excited about the things I’m going to see and the people i’m going to meet, and i’m really excited by the connections
During this year’s national arts festival we had a very strong delegation that came from decibel, from the UK, to attend
the National Arts Festival and my visit is reciprocal.
It’s coming to decibel to continue the conversation we’ve have had with UK artists.
As the world becomes a global village there’s no reason for artists to continue to work in little boxes.
We need to break down those barriers and engage with each other all the time.
This is the first year that the deafness and disability strand had been mixed in.
To me as a, as a decibel *** it feels absolutely natural.
What’s been so exciting, I think, about this year, is, is the blending that comes from us bouncing off each other.
having been almost separate, coming together as one.
In addition to the showcase I think what’s really struck me has been the networking itself. The openness of everybody that I’ve met.
This has been beyond helpful. I mean, for us, by having an international hip-hop company, we need to find international partners.
We’ve found people who might be able to help with sponsorship, others who might be able to help with a venue ,
others who might be able to help with artists, others who might be able to help with a studio.
All of those came from the networking events here and it’s been fantastic so far.
When my bedroom door closes, my armour comes off. On the floor in a heavy heap, G-Star jeans and a hooded top.
And my desk is where my car keys and my phone is dropped.
Followed by whatever change I’ve got in my pocket. an empty wallet, a Snickers wrapper,
and salt and vinegar squares crisp packet which has been skillfully folded into a small triangle.
As I dangle my jeans to empty the last contents of my pockets I find several business cards from
the head of department at a local school, and one photographer who thought that my work was cool.
The quality of the performances has been great. There’s been a tremendous amount of imagination.
Several things that were very hi-tech, which is also what we’re looking for.
It not only forges relationships between people in the sector, the arts sector as a whole, it stimulates, I think,
thinking around improving the quality of the work, and seeing what’s out there.
I’d recommend it highly to anyone, because it’s, it’s high quality art and a good use of your money.