The Adlington Post

 Here is my 2011 Xmas tree which exemplifies the true spirit of Christmas as practised. The key ingredients are money, possessions, greed, & prostitution. My inspiration is a Quaker quote from the 19th century (sorry to be so old-fashioned): "Let those of us who are opposed to war look into our own homes and the furnishings of those homes for the seeds of war" - feel free, gentle reader, to substitute the words "global financial collapse" or "vulture capitalism" for "war".

The week before Xmas a very professional team from Whitebait TV spent the best part of a day with me - doing an interview & filming for a documentary on environmental artists in New Zealand - to be screened on TV sometime early this year. We had fun in the dumpster & on the beach. Hopefully I was able to get my message across: the motto is "reduce, reuse, recycle" - but no-one talks about reducing! I guess the likes of the Warehouse, Harvey Norman etc won't like that message. Too bad. The problem with the current recycling fad is that it to me it makes buying crap OK - as long as you recycle it when you're done. Sorry, but no, it doesn't work that way: Just don't buy crap in the first place. The core of the problem is that most people can't differentiate between their needs & their wants - more on this later. In the meantime, may I suggest viewers read "To Have or to Be" by Erich Fromm - a seminal text on the topic.

After over a decade in business the Browns Bay TAB in Anzac Square closed in mid - December 2011 and moved to Albany. Not only is the betting industry in trouble, so is the bloodstock industry. This year's sales at Karaka have been disappointing. Read HERE for more information from Radio National.

For some 40 years the writings of Lao Tzu have been an inspiration for my life and underpinned much of my artwork. Here is a particular favourite: The Power in Needing Less Which is dearer: Name or life? Which means more: Life or wealth? Which is worse: Gain or loss? The stronger the attachments, The greater the cost. The more that is hoarded, The deeper the loss. Know what is enough; Be without disgrace. Know when to stop; Be without danger. "Zen Circle" - an original artwork by Martin Adlington Screenprints on kozo paper $US30 + postage "In the Taoist view,  individuals who are materially orientated - who identify themselves with their possessions - have no real purpose in the universe other than moving matter from place to place and reproducing other life forms. Materially-orientated individuals cannot evolve because their attachment to, & hoarding of, matter trains the mind to view reality as fixed & unflo...

I found a dumpster today & dived in! My main finds of interest were: - a film camera ( Agfa Silette) - 2 jandals to make into art - a 1954 copy of "William & the Moon Rocket" by Richmal Crompton (I used to read these as a kid) - a satellite navigation kit for the van - a retro table lamp - a metal strainer to make into a clock - a hand-crocheted blanket See my recycled, upcycled and environmental works at www.martinadlington.webs.co m See my youtube channel for dumpster-diving & recycling videos www.youtube.com/martinadlington www.youtube.com/martinadlington

This is the first of a series of posts documenting some the changes in the community where I live. As the economic situation worsens, business here in Browns Bay are closing their doors. When the mall opened at nearby Albany in 2007 the fall-off in trade, visitors & traffic was immediately apparent in this beach-side suburb.Then the recession began in 2008, & the rot began with the closure of the Woolworths Supermarket. Although the 2011 Rugby World Cup was touted as being a potential financial bonanza for business of all types, in fact the only ones to benefit were the RWC itself & the grog merchants who sponsored the whole thing. Trade for most retailers declined as any disposable income people had was spent on expensive tickets for the games.Christmas sales were subdued - people are paying for all the toys houses & batches they bought when credit was readily available. So far there has been very little summer weather to bring people to the beach - so trade has s...

Today Steve Jobs (aka Steve Robs) announced his retirement from Apple. According to the media he is regarded as a "god" by some in the industry. Somehow I hardly think that the people who slave in the Apple factories to produce ipods "Now In White" (gosh!) for some .50c a day would agree. See more of my adbusting and culture jamming activities on www.culture-jams.blogspot.com