Alter-Nation: From Tolerance to Togetherness

The idea of uniting a variety of artists from different genres puts forth a post modern representation of ‘new space’ and ‘new art’. When art becomes a hybrid identifying itself with, and being challenged by, live performance, one problem remains; the placement of foreground and background, front stage and back stage. This however, does not imply negative connotations; instead it challenges viewers to understand how different forms of art can work in unison.

Such was the case at Alter-Nation: From Tolerance to Togetherness. As the event was evoking the inscription of artistic integrity and cultural rejuvenation the trouble remained; how does one reinstate a variety of artistic endeavors to compliment one another at an equal transmission of energy? Is it at all possible to bring forth musicians, performers, art work and people in a social scene that is meant to merge a variety of talents into a solid and equal union? This is a question Altered (i) was willing to ask, and so brought forward its first event; Alter-Nation: From Tolerance to Togetherness.

The beauty of Alter-Nation was definitely in its success. The general public was given the opportunity to appreciate a variety of music from acoustic, to hip hop, to electro, with dance, tribal percussions and visual arts. Each performance was worked into the next, where the acoustic melodies of Annette Green and Bredrin Poetry Wise were built into KB's rhythmic hip hop, which later escalated into the experimental electro rock of Green Splat. In conclusion to these performances Pyrate Paradox roamed the floor with her creative and intuitive dancing, as a voluntary drum circle led by Vincent Reel encouraged both the rhythm of her dance and the introduction of the DJ’s – RC420, Ryan Smith, Jeff Breen and e.k.g.

As all performative aspects of the night were greeted by great applause and encouragement, what of the art work? The guests observed and commented, and many were awed by the variety of visual arts. The gallery section displayed a fusion of abstract expressionism, painting, photography, and life drawings. As a whole, the art remained a strong visual unit. The colours and movement of the works complimented one piece into the next and formed a dynamic display that brought together people and formed an amazing atmosphere for the performers to display their own talents in.

In total, Alter-Nation was an opportunity for artists and the crowds to experience a variety of expressions brought forth from performers and visual artists. Here, a number of very different forms of art created a solid event where everyone involved pondered the problems of balancing acts and art by effectively working their way from tolerance to togetherness.

Visual Artists:
Dan Anaka -http://www.dananaka.com
Amanda Bittar - http://www.amandabittar.com
Marius Budu - http://www.visions.mariusbudu.com
Mitchell F Chan - http://www.mitchellfchan.com
Steve Papadopoulos - http://www.spulos.net
Hanna Kunysz - http://hananska.deviantart.com
Jacob Senko - http://defkreationz.deviantart.com
Alicja Grabarczyk
Stephanie Nicolo
Donna Reel
Alina Urusov


Live Performances:
Annette Green - http://www.myspace.com/annettasings
Bredrin Poetry Wise - http://www.myspace.com/poetrywise
KB - http://www.myspace.com/kbthamc
Green Splat - http://www.myspace.com/greensplat
Pyrate Paradox - Dancing
Vincent Reel - Drumming

Spinning Techno/House:
e.k.g. - http://ekg.podomatic.com
RC420 - http://www.myspace.com/djrc420
Ryan Smith - http://www.myspace.com/ryansmitherines
Jeff Breen - http://www.myspace.com/jeffbreen

Contributing Writer: Hanna Kunysz