Battle of Jeremy Deller and the Genuine Jersey Brand 1781 - 2013

St Helier wasn't burned to the ground in 1781 and probably won't be either in 2015 - so sleep easy in your bank vaults. But seriously folks there is no need to get over excited about Jersey's reputation being damaged by Jeremy Deller's paintings at the Venice Biennale British Pavilion because we have Senator "Foreign Secretary" Bailhache out there gunning on our behalf plus Deputy "Culture Minister" Bryans protecting our domestic rear.

In fact, Senator Bailhache was talking Jersey Revolution and the use of gunpowder with Chinese help at yesterday's Skipton Studios J Arts event organised specifically to address the Venetian Deller threat - so I hope GCHQ is not listening to his 'phone calls.
Another speaker referred to her visit to Venice and how she was questioned about the printed material that she was visibly reading on the returning aircraft... sounded ominous.

It was all a bit ironic because both Assistant Ministers Bailhache and Bryans had voted against the proposition to make 28 September officially recognised as 'Jersey Reform Day' in the States last year or to vote a penny towards it or some related cultural requests for minimal funding. As it was - the proposition - which is intended to remember the Jersey Revolution of 1769 (and the brave people of this Island over the centuries) was adopted. The historic  and most important event  actually led to the creation of the States and more. So 28 September is now officially recognised on the Jersey calendar - but nobody seems very keen to do anything about it but  seemingly would rather sit around at the Weighbridge discussing a painting on show in Venice!

Below is a video showing some of the discussion that took place among the eighteen or so people present. The few minutes at the end features Chris Clifford speaking at an Architecture Week (AW13) event on Monday 24 June which seems relevant...total video time about 20 minutes I think from memory. I played the part of the talking grass.

At the conclusion of the discussion I distributed a few leaflets about a possible plan for a Jersey Reform Day celebration this year (in the Royal Square and at Reg's Garden) - but by this time Senator Bailhache had already left for another meeting.  Since he has not  replied to my previous e-mails on the subject (along with virtually all his States colleagues) I don't suppose it will make much difference...perhaps some of the 'Arts' organisations represented at the meeting will respond? Unfortunately time is running out very quickly now and if Jeremey Deller's prediction in paint comes true....well it does not bear thinking about...but no doubt there will be some artists around to make suitable images and comments on the conflagration.