Can you introduce yourself and tell us what you do?

My name is Joël Ava Makinson an arts organiser and artist based in Liverpool. I work a lot with different art organisations around the city in a freelance capacity and when I’m not working for them I am developing my own work and putting ­on and/or showing in exhibitions.

What inspires your own art?

It all depends where I’m working and what I’m creating the work for. The space I’m showing my work in often had a big impact on what I create, especially if I’m doing an installation piece.

I have been interested in the concept of space and the different identities spaces have since I was at university. I like studying how we interact with different spaces and how this can be documented and challenged.

For example for one of my projects I took the bedroom and bathroom doors off my house to see how this effected how people who lived there interacted with the space.

I also change the dimensions and proportions of different objects that represent space and explore how this affects the idea of space.

I know you are an independent arts organiser, do you feel the number of exhibitions etc has suffered during the recession?

I don’t think the number of exhibitions has suffered but I think it has been difficult for the organisations to get certain artists they might like to show or produce and exhibition/festival as big as they have before.

I think many organisations have suffered funding cuts which really affects what they put on, the scale of what they show and how it’s marketed.  This can mean that the visitor numbers drop which effects funding further. This is just one side of the affects but it’s a bit of a viscous circle really.

How important is seeing art live and seeing the real thing?

I think it depends on what the art is. If it’s an installation or performance piece then I think it’s important to see it to really experience the piece.

I feel that sometimes even with 2D work it is better to experience it in person to really appreciate the scale, colours and textures of the piece.

However if the work is documented well then I feel this is useful when you are unable to see the piece in person.

How important do you feel a web presence is these days?

I think these days it’s very important if not essential to have a web presence.

I think the first place people look for information these days is on the internet and even when you are networking people are more likely to ask for a web address or an email than a phone number.

I believe the internet is a fantastic way to get your art work advertised and sold, and I am going to use it to my advantage right now and put details below of an exhibition I have running at the moment.

ART IS LIKE AN ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND

BY JOEL AVA MAKINSON

ARUMA Cafe, Bar

62 Mount Pleasant

Liverpool

A photography exhibition by local artist Joël Ava Makinson, described as scenic landscapes with a twist. All work taken on a residency in Loweswater, The Lake District.

ARUMA is a new exhibition space that wants to provide a platform for emerging artists and art groups. Giving artists a chance to show and sell their work.

Preview Night: 12/05/10 7pm – 9pm

Light Night: 14/05/10 6pm – 2am

Exhibition: 13/05/10 – continues until further notice

Opening Times:
Mon – Thurs: 11:00 – 23:30

Fri – Sat: 11:00 – 02:00

Sun :11:00 – 23:30

joelava@hotmail.co.uk

http://joelava.daportfolio.com/

http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=101328716577253