Criticising the critic

May 6, 2004

Dear Sir,

diminishes itself by engaging Andrew Trimingham to review the National Gallery's Biennial exhibition (May 5).

Mr. Trimingham's childish and inane review reads like a lifelong Perry Como listener responding to a first hearing of the Rolling Stones. The review is childish because there is no reason for "an avowed traditionalist" to review a contemporary art show other than to rant.

It is inane because the reviewer rejects the last 150 years of art. Abstract art requires more insight than do pretty pictures of houses, but Mr. Trimingham prefers to criticise what he can't understand. Mr. Trimingham's attitudes belong to an age when men wore hats and women skirts, when poems rhymed and we all loved the Queen. Maybe Mr. Trimingham prefers Newton to Einstein and all this relativity tomfoolery.

Art reflects our world, and I think a little bit of humility is needed before disparaging 150 years of work. The gallery has put on a strong show and Mr. Trimingham's reinforcement of standard prejudices does no one any service.

Sound solutions

May 6, 2004

Dear Sir,

After the musicians' meeting last Sunday, which was not chaired or at least certainly didn't appear to be chaired, I felt it necessary to write.

At that meeting there was a great deal of finger pointing. I seem to recall my finger even getting into the act. It became apparent that there was a great deal of frustration fuelled with a lot of passion from those wanting to move forward with a more positive format.

There were many there like myself who see the enormous potential in what could be a turning point for the music industry in Bermuda. This would in the long term bode well for the tourism industry. Music and entertainment play a very important part in every country or major city in the world. If we are to put Bermuda back on the tourist map, then we need to do what other countries have already done, and invest more into the industry, not just money, but also time and commitment.

As musicians we must first look at ourselves. Government needs to hear sound recommendations from us on what they can do to participate or at the very least, reduce the red tape to allow those recommendations to move ahead.

A great deal of good has been achieved by the musicians union in the past and must not be left unrecognised by those such as Hubert Smith, Ghandi Burgess and Lloyd Simmons and many others that have been a part of the process.

Now is the time to take things to a new level. A new mission statement needs to be written, one that involves a little less of "what's in it for me" and one that involves what's best for Bermuda and the industry as a whole.

Probably the most important of all is the involvement of all musicians and entertainers to realise and be a part of the solution that we in the end would all benefit from. In order for the industry to thrive and even survive, we need to look to those things that will raise our level of play. We do not need to look that far to see what other islands have done to impact the music industry world wide. i.e. Jamaica, Trinidad, or Cuba.

We need to form better associations among ourselves, the recording industry, promotion, sound and lighting and yes even nightclubs.

The broadcasting networks need to be a part of this as well. Schools, song writing competitions, anything that will stimulate the industry.

Getting back to the union, we have the resources among ourselves to strengthen and run this (new) union efficiently. Some of us have secretarial skills, and some of us are even accountants. Others are involved in the media or promotion .

Everyone at the meeting felt that new elections were needed to breathe new life into the union. There is a need for progressive thinkers and people who believe in the industry and its potential.

I believe the present leadership missed an opportunity to realise this and is stuck behind a constitution whose amendment is long overdue.

As far as I could perceive, until Sunday there were no paid up members. To wait six months for new elections is only going take the wind out of everyone's sails and frustrate the process further.

Perhaps forming another association or union would be a solution. There is much to be done if we decide to stay with this union. I hope that all who are involved in the industry can look a little deeper and ask themselves, 'what can I do to help?' For some it might involve stepping up to the plate and for some it might be stepping down. Either way you must become part of solution.