A hectic week - from deadlines to Jesse Malin

Good morning everybody

It has been a long long time since my last post on the Aesthetica blog.... Oh dear! Things have been so busy at Aesthetica that finding time to write a post is sometimes challenging!

The new issue has just gone off to press and I must say it is amazing. I can't wait until it returns and I have the opportunity to have a flick through. Last week was a hectic one with the deadline approaching, but I did manage to swing by Fibbers in York to see Jesse Malin. Now if you haven't seen Jesse then you are definitely missing out - he is a fantastic performer and someone who really connects with the audience. Jesse played a variety of material from his albums, 'The Fine Art of Self Destruction', 'The Heat', 'Glitter in the Gutter' and his most recent covers album, 'On Your Sleeve'. Mixed in with the wonderful songs were some pretty crazy stories involving Joe Strummer amongst others as well as a rendition of Neil Young's 'Helpless' where Jesse managed to get the whole audience to sit down on Fibbers' sticky floor - a particularly impressive feat! Next time Jesse is in a town near you I would really recommend checking him out - you won't be disappointed.

I also managed to see 'Fast Labour' at the West Yorkshire Playhouse at the weekend. This was an impressive production, which really explored the idea of the high price of the cheap labour that all economies depend on. 'Fast Labour' was a highly innovative production utilising the music of Led Zepplin and video imagery to tell the story of Victor a Ukranian immigrant in a growing culture of human exploitation.

Cherie and I are visiting the BALTIC on Thursday, I'm really looking forward to it - they have so many exciting exhibitions going on.

Anyway, I promise to post more frequently in the future. My to-do list is calling me now, but until next time.....

I hope that everyone has a great day.

Shona.

Did anyone read the last post?

Hi (Friday again)

Well, it's been a pretty exciting week. We have some great potential collaborations happening from Rough Trade and the International Illustration Festival in Zurich. I am very excited about the possibilities of these partnerships. Nothing is set yet, and there are a lot of details to iron out, but watch this space.

So, I re-read my last post about the industry, and funnily enough, today I had an email from a very up and coming artist, which said something along the lines, that Aesthetica reaches a new audience, not the same old stuff to the same old people.

I was pretty delighted to get that email, as that is the whole point of Aesthetica. We're about experimentation and inspiration.

I need to be challenged and have lots of ideas. I can't stick with the same old same old or as David Byrne put it, "same as it ever was." Pour moi, no merci.

So, that's that. I'm a woman on a mission. Well sort of, this industry is hard work and this is to all of you working out there in it, I know how hard you work. I had a call today from a new Independent publisher, and he was so friendly, but for me, we only have 6 slots for book reviews. I feel for him. I know how hard it is, and in spite of his sincerity and genuine nature, I still felt that he had little knowledge of Aesthetica. It's like he only checked out the website. I think, if people are going to contact me, and ask me to do something for them, they really should have knowledge of my magazine. We're simply not a public service. I work my socks off everyday.

I also had an overwhelming amount of people contact me for freelance writing this week as well. One particular person, again, same as above, a lovely individual, but really I could tell that she only downloaded the free sample on the website. She didn't even know we were based in Yorkshire, I was like, okay so you want a job, but you don't even know where our office is.

I think all in all people just don't do their research well enough. You know to get publications like Aesthetica on the shelf, they need to be taken to the till. So, please, feel free to contact me, but make sure you know the latest issue, my editorial focus, and overall format of the magazine. It will save us both loads of time.

Rant Rave.

Sorry guys. Anyway, all in all a brilliant week. If you are reading this feel free to make a comment. I'd love to have some debate going.

Have a great weekend.

Cheers

Cherie

Aesthetica -- The National Arts Magazine -- The Industry is Big Enough For All

I started Aesthetica Magazine 5 1/2 years ago. It feels like it's been a longer, but in the industry there are players such as Art Review that have been around for 60years, Frieze for 17 years, Art Monthly for 32 years and the Art Newspaper, which has been going for about 18 years.

So, we have Aesthetica -- 5 1/2 years. We're clearly the youngest magazine on the shelf, but I feel that in this industry there is certainly enough room for all of us. You wouldn't believe the number of press releases and phone calls that I receive on a daily basis. It's pretty incredible. Let's face it, the industry is thriving, but the question I must ask, is it only thriving to the same people over and over again?

Now, Aesthetica is different to the publications above -- we acknowledge the amalgamation of different art forms into one cultural whole. Aesthetica establishes links between literature, visual arts, music, film and theatre. It acknowledges the influences and effects that different genres have upon one another, e.g. a songwriter seeking inspiration from a photograph, a painter affected by a concert, or a poet provoked by a play. This interdisciplinary stance makes Aesthetica unique among Britain’s arts publications and has resulted in a regular readership of 45,000 people per issue.

Sometimes, I wonder if this biggest difference is not only my focus on the arts as interdisciplinary and ultimately connected, but that we're not based in London but Yorkshire. I wonder, why some people in the industry cannot understand that you don't need to be in London to run a national arts magazine. I find that by not being in London the editorial is more rounded and gives a better glimpse on the industry as a whole -- we've even coined the term "cultural arts". I don't know why some feel that the entire industry revolves around London -- this simply isn't true. I want to give some examples, full stop -- Liverpool is the Capital of Culture for 2008. BALTIC in Newcastle is one of the finest art galleries in the UK, bringing international artists to the North East, Glasgow is simply amazing with the CCA and theatres like The Arches, while Manchester has a number of festivals, a fantastic gallery and its International Festival. The whole country is buzzing.

I am pretty positive person on the whole, I ask myself, do I need to move to London to grow Aesthetica magazine even further? No. I think not. Don't get me wrong -- I love London and I go down regularly, there is so much to do and see. My beef is this: why is there a divide between London and the rest of the country?

I am not exclusive. I can't stand the exclusive nature of people. In fact, I think that it hinders the industry. I feel it's important to engage with new ideas, people and to keep things fresh. What is the point of doing the same thing over and over again?

For me, as the Editor and Founder of Aesthetica Magazine it just made sense to view the arts as interdisciplinary. There are so many people that are cross-pollinating genres. I think that it's important to celebrate this. I can completely see how all these things work together.

Now, I feel that there are some people, organisations, etc working in this industry that are too afraid of change, and too afraid to try something new. It's hard for me to understand. I am always open to suggestions and new perspectives.

Aesthetica has reached considerable success in its short lifespan. We have gain national distribution in WH Smith, Borders and galleries. This is remarkable. I think that sometime, I am caught up in the "thick" of it all and I miss that very important fact, that I started an arts magazine in my living room of my student flat. Now, that same concept has expanded all around the country. I am not looking for a medal or a gold star. I guess, I am just trying to make sense of the industry and I'm fighting in our corner.

Any thoughts on this?

Cherie

New Issue of Aesthetica Magazine. Issue 22!

Exciting Times Ahead for Aesthetica Magazine

Launched on 1 April 2008, Issue 22 of Aesthetica Magazine brings new additions, fresh content & design, as well as exciting opportunities. The new and sleek issue of Aesthetica Magazine marks a new era for the publication.

After five years of accepting submissions for Aesthetica Magazine, and due to the ever-increasing volume of submissions, we have decided to run an a annual competition, which is open to artwork, photography and creative writing.

The Aesthetica Annual Creative Works Competition will result in the production of the Aesthetica Annual Publication.

Issue 22 of Aesthetica Magazine is dynamic

This new issue of Aesthetica is very exciting. We’ve vamped up the design and added some brilliant new sections. All in all, we feel that it is the best issue produced to date! Aesthetica gives you the most current and up-to-date information on British arts and culture. Inside Issue 22, there are features on the awarding winning poet, Sean O’Brien, as well as Stella Duffy discussing her new book. In art there is the Jerwood Contemporary Painters – 20 emerging artists, Ethics and authenticity in the Double Agent exhibition, the first British Design Awards, nostalgia through photography and finally abstract space with Nigel Hall’s sculpture. In film, new release, My Brother Is An Only Child, and in music Sweden’s Surrounded and New York’s Tall Firs, while in theatre the Belarus Free Theatre, as well as a round up of the best productions this spring.

Subscribe now and save 20%!
http://www.aestheticamagazine.com/shop.htm

Aesthetica’s approach is fresh, accessible and up-to-date. It is the only British arts publication that views the arts as interdisciplinary.

Editor, Cherie Federico, says, “Issue 22 is brilliant. With it’s new sections, sleek design, and dedicated ethos to the arts, you can find everything that you need to keep up to date with the sector.”

Check out a copy of Aesthetica Magazine today at WH Smith, Borders, or from our website. www.aestheticamagazine.com

Founded in 2002, Aesthetica Magazine is the only British arts magazine to cover literature, visual arts, music, film and theatre in one single issue.


***END***

I know that I only write on Fridays! Aesthetica rocks!

Hi

Firstly, let me begin by saying that I know I only seem to write this blog on Fridays. It seems to me as Friday after the rush is over is the only chance that I have to buckle down and write a few thoughts.

Firstly, last night I went to see the fabulous Malcolm Middleton in Leeds. I have to be honest here, he is one of my favourite musicians at the moment. The music and lyrics are just beautiful, sincere and heartfelt. I can really relate to that.

This week has been busy as hell. Issue 22, which I know that I am biased, it's true, but it arrived back on Tuesday -- I am being open and sincere, it's the best damn magazine that I have ever made. I mean it. I feel like there is something so inherently special about it. I don't know if it's because it's new, but honestly, I love everything thing about it.

I have changed some of the design to make it more spacious. That's the only way that I can describe it. I do encourage you to check it out ( I would through, wouldn't I?)

On another exciting note, we have become the media partners for the Poetry Society. I am very excited about this opportunity. They are a fantastic organisation!

My plans for the weekend include going for a swim, cooking some fantastic Mexican food (making Margaritas too) and doing some painting. Lately, I don't know why, but I feel totally inspired by everything around me. It's like I've put on a new pair of glasses, and everything has a different perspective. It's pretty cool actually.

I have some great ideas for some art projects. I can't wait to get my paints out.

Ramble on....I'm going to head out.

So for now, peace, love and hair grease.

CF-Funk (my old nickname, funk--as in groovy)


p.s. look out for our new who's who page next week

Some Big Changes at Aesthetica Magazine

Exciting new opportunities are underway at Aesthetica magazine.

Having received submissions of creative work for 5 years, I would like to take this opportunity to inform you of the significant changes being made to our format. Due to the volume of submissions received each month we have decided to dedicate an Aesthetica Annual edition to championing new talent.

Aesthetica Magazine will still be published bi-monthly and cover literature, visual arts, music, theatre and film -- and still be available nationwide. We're now working with major publishers across the UK bringing you excerpts and previews from new novels. Our April issue will feature an excerpt from Random House Book, The Lost Dog.

Details about the Annual:

·The new Aesthetica Annual will be a coffee table book, available nationwide from November 2008, presenting new artwork, poetry and fiction.

·Publication prospects take the form of a competition, with a prize of £500 and a subscription to Aesthetica for the winners of each category.

·Runners up will also be published and receive a free copy of our glossy annual.

·The entry fee for the Aesthetica Annual Creative Works Competition is £10.

·Entry allows the submission of either five images of artwork, three short stories (up to 2000 words each), or five poems (up to 40 lines each).

For further information please go to http://www.aestheticamagazine.com/submission_guide.htm

We look forward to receiving your work in the near future and hope you are as excited at the prospect of a permanent manifestation for your talents as we are.

Good Luck and Best Wishes,

Pauline Bache

New issue, joys and thrills of life, The Ritz

Hell everyone

How is it going? Things are well on the Aesthetica front, we've been working on socks off as of late (what's new), but there are some major developments underway with the magazine including a new section, as well as a new annual competition and book. Please see the website for more details over the next few weeks.

Now then, I was at the ICA on Sunday to see the Double Agent exhibition, as I am writing a piece on it for the next issue. There really is some fascinating work in there, my favourite piece is by Barbara Visser. She's a Dutch video artist that looks at the role of the artist, authenticity, truth and fiction. She's just great. Her works makes you think about things the way that you did when you were studying theory at university.... (at least it did for me). I really loved it, it was like going back to the days of studying Foucault.

So along with this jaunt to London, I met up with an old friend of mine from New York who was in Paris for fashion week and popped over to London to visit with me. For starters, this friend of mine is just truly awesome! She's just a great friend that I've known for year, but I must admit, she's very New York. She decided to treat me to lunch at the Ritz. I was like, "okay, that would be a hoot".

Anyway, my favourite footwear in the entire world is Converse low tops, so of course, I was wearing these when Olivia suggested that we go for lunch at The Ritz. The other thing is that they are completely battered, but oh so comfy, and really just my favourite shoes ever!

Okay, here was the dialogue:

Olivia: "Hi, we're not residents, but we'd like a table for two."
Man: (looks at my shoes and actually points).
Cherie: (whispering) Olivia, I don't think that they're going to... (interrupted by the pointing)
Man: No (still pointing). You do not have a reservation. No. I'm going to have to ask you to leave!
Cherie & Olivia: Exit

So, that was so funny! It goes down on my list of funny events in life.

Anyway, must get back to work.

Cherie
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