| 3. Do you have any opinions / suggestions / ideas about any of the above questions you would like to share?
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| | Respondent no. 1 |
at last! |
| | Respondent no. 2 |
I think CIRCA is great - would love to see a redesign though - to keep up with the content... |
| | Respondent no. 3 |
Themes:
Art Criticism or
Art Theory
|
| | Respondent no. 5 |
stop redesigning |
| | Respondent no. 6 |
Why has the design of circa gotten so bad, and why is the reading so boring. |
| | Respondent no. 7 |
i think 'circa' should try to re-invent itself as the irish version of 'frieze'
being an artist/educator in london i value the role 'circa' plays but it needs to be more engaging.
content is more important than design!
public_art |
| | Respondent no. 8 |
I would like to see more reviews of young independent artists and their work - studio visits, etc.
I would also like the magazine to promote more opportunities for artists - collaborations, group exhibitions, etc. |
| | Respondent no. 9 |
Bring back the Bursary in Visual Arts Criticism! Invest in writing. Keep an artist-centred focus. |
| | Respondent no. 10 |
I think the magazine wouldn't stand out on the bookshelves it it was smaller.
The themes suggested above are generally uninteresting, how about dealing with real issues like how are realtes to landscape, beauty, mass media, social/economic development, the figure, litereature? |
| | Respondent no. 13 |
more reviews of Irish artists showing outside of Ireland and most serious theoretical essays and artist's pages/projects in the magazine |
| | Respondent no. 15 |
I have just scanned back over several editions of the magazine and I have to say (although it gives ne no pleasure) that the standard of writings (esp. in the reviews sections) are appalling!
I do think that the editor should reconsider (replacing) some of the regular reviewers and columnists. |
| | Respondent no. 16 |
No real suggestion for the above questions - it will be interesting to see the changes. But I do have one idea regarding your publication & Cutting to the chase: One possibility was that CIRCA includes a limited edition print with each issue - edition numbers equals mag.print numbers. The idea would be to highlight the growing interest and diversity in digital printmaking in Ireland. The printing of these works could be through various industrial printing methods: screenprint, off-set lithography, 4 colour separation or even seraration transparency inthe case of monotone images. Most of these would be similar to the way in which the magazine is already printed - a good possibility that no extra costs would be involved tp produce these issues. the works could be from invited artists or more interestingly through open submission. The theme could be simply be the diversity of of this new medium within printmaking...or one laid down at the submission criteria stage. the idea is very much like the open submission platform u now have but that the artist could actively get suggest/request the work to be printed in a specific way [if necessary]. In short [ too late I hear u say!!!], by including limited edition artworks as a part of the magazine structure...CIRCA now becomes a magazine about art, containing art.To put it another way: CIRCA now becomes a new platform for unsigned contemporary artist to exhibit and distribute finished limited edition pieces. I would imagine that there are loads of considerations that I have not ahmm, considered! regarding, cost, fee 4 selected work, copyright issues, edition numbers etc etc. That,in short, is my two cents: for what its worth
[pun intended!!]
Regards + Best wishes
PAUL
public_art |
| | Respondent no. 17 |
why not look to improving the journalistic style and making the content less parochial and more informed on not just the international scene but also less filled by oirish bloody mindedness and so obviously filled with articles culled from cronies and friends. You've changed the format before... it's like saying if we look different then we might be perceived better and more in touch... BAAAD idea |
| | Respondent no. 19 |
it would also be a good idea to provide more useful info for artist, ie : appointments, proposals, grants, exhibition submissions etc.like art monthly or artist's association of ire. |
| | Respondent no. 21 |
agree with many of the criticisms vis-a-vis the pedestrian & uninspiring nature of current layouts - not suggesting you emulate the excesses of 'Wired' or 'The Face' but definitely move away from the corporate middle-aged layouts as at present. The 'themed' approach to issues is a superb development, especially if executed in a multimdisciplinary manner involving a whole range of cultural practises across art, film, music. The 'Modern Times, Modern Places' book by yer man Conrad was an excellent example in recent publishing of the intellectual excitment and illumination that can be generated by such approaches. |
| | Respondent no. 27 |
I quite like the current design of Circa. The larger format makes it stand out. |
| | Respondent no. 28 |
more about individuals and their practice, more about people less about POLICY or does everyone want to live off the state? |
| | Respondent no. 29 |
I really enjoy the reviews section especially the last issue Summer 2001 (I haven't got the latest one yet). I particularly liked one of the new reviewers Janet Naclia. Her reviews were personal in a good way, making you interested in what she had to say, but also subjective and amusing. Also like the fact that she is from outside the British Isles thus allowing her to have a fresh outlook on our arts scene. |
| | Respondent no. 30 |
Mixed themes interest me more - and I really like the shape and size of the mag. I have a thing about books and rarely read them - I would be turned off if it looked more like a book ( not rational, but how I feel nonetheless!!) |
| | Respondent no. 32 |
if someone pisses/kisses against the wind in belfast and calls it art circa gives it pages of coverage and reviews if someone makes real art or holds real arts events
elsewhere they are ignored or worse given to
ASPIRING WRITERS whatever the hell they are when they are left loose.circa serves the north and dublin only.
also there should be a letters page or right of replylike forwhen one of your contributing regional editors lied |
| | Respondent no. 34 |
I am more than concerned with the general quality of writing. I often find it frustratingly poor. Even with basic visual analysis, reviewers may describe and sometimes interpret a work of art, but rarely will they forward a thoughtful critical evaluation. This is crucial for Circa. An ability to retain critical judgement in its pages prevents Circa from falling into a bland marketing rag.
I also find the writing overblown with art jargon. Being more than familiar with it, I often have fun boiling it down to discover there to be very little substance. The bursary writers were a particular case in point. This is at root an issue of art education and where we get our writers on art from. The danger with high-falutin' jargon is that it alienates students trying to find their feet with it (the future Circa readers!). As a lecturer in art history and critical theory with a keen interest in art from Ireland, I find it disheartening to warn students away from its pages, 'If you don't understand it, walk away. There is plenty of good writing on art out there that you will understand.'
This is a topic I am tempted to write about at length. We are too close to losing a engaging critical culture that spawned Circa in the first place. This, as I said, is less a matter of editorial policy than a matter of art education as a whole.
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| | Respondent no. 36 |
i THINK CHANGING YOUR SIZE IS PRESUMEABLY TO LOOK DIFFERENT ON THE NEWS STANDS,WHICH HAS WORKED IN SOME INSTANCES (SEE: HOT PRESS)bUT UNLESS YOUR EDITORIAL POLICY PROGRESSES WITH THE CHANGE IN SIZE ,IT MAY BE PERCIEVED AS A CHEAP GIMIC. |
| | Respondent no. 44 |
The themes suggested in this poll are manipulative and show very little imagination. Might they be based on the hobby horses of a generally decrepid board? - the result of the Circa brainstorming thinksink. Any theme should not colour the whole issue - the magazine must respond to whats happening out there in culture world as much as it wants to lead. |
| | Respondent no. 45 |
more reproductions of art that is mentioned in the articles |
| | Respondent no. 48 |
Maybe the reviewsof shows could coincide with the running of the shows. Within reason of course. Also many shows that I felt worthy of review this year were completly ignored. |
| | Respondent no. 49 |
The themed issues are an excellent idea. Expanding the term 'visual culture' to include other media (e.g. film and design) will inevitably attract a greater diversity of writers, writing styles etc. The number of negative responses included in this poll is really depressing. It's so easy just to criticise; much harder to offer possible solutions. |
| | Respondent no. 50 |
Theming is good only if it is not contrived, i.e. a reader notices that the magazine has had to struggle to find enough good material on the theme in question.
Be careful of quality if you theme.
I think the present format is excellent, and allows large prints of work, photos, etc. |
| | Respondent no. 53 |
Circa compares favourably with most of the international art journals with which I'm familiar. Sometimes it's better just to leave well alone. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." |
| | Respondent no. 54 |
2b is difficult, the preference would mirror what is happening in the given field at the given time -i.e. the order will change constantly. |
| | Respondent no. 59 |
Circa should do interviews with artists. More exhibition reviews too. I like group interviews amongst artists on specific subjects. |
| | Respondent no. 65 |
The publication is shockingly nepotistic , it seems that board members are still using the issues to further their own egos and careers. |
| | Respondent no. 66 |
The Daniel Jewesbury "public Art" edition is simply a friends only issue. |
| | Respondent no. 67 |
The publication is too formalised and reliant on heavy art theory. Really the editorial team
should liven up more. |
| | Respondent no. 68 |
The Circa board and indeed the publication is seriously lacking in
female participation and equality. Sort it out. |
| | Respondent no. 69 |
there is too much emphasis on an academic understanding of art practice and not enough on the art and the artists motives. |
| | Respondent no. 70 |
Don't go over the top with layout design to the detriment of text, and particularly don't make text hard to read due to shading and graphics on the text page! |
| | Respondent no. 71 |
more indepth coverage of events/exhibitions- less token blanket coverage of regions |
| | Respondent no. 75 |
More text and images of work or actual magazine artist projects. Less design crap. Greater vision beyond Dublin. More active in non-magazine initiatives. |
| | Respondent no. 80 |
The format change & feel will probably also depend on the size, feel & quality of the paper.
The reduction mmmmm - would dpeend on how it looks overall in design & feel. Are we going for Art Coffe Table pretentiousness, or the bring art to the masses accessibility? :-) |
| | Respondent no. 85 |
List of themes very restricted. Art history and criticism ? Perhaps spelling lessons for your respondents ? Less parochial... The change of format is an extremely bad idea, you cannot hope to reproduce any art work in so small a format. The present size is a good, distinctive, suitable one. There is no need to mess about with the design, it is unusually legible in layout, if not stylistically. |
| | Respondent no. 86 |
YOu probably know the publication 'Parkett' This is of similar size to what you are suggesting and it works very well. More content, more good writing and it should stand out better on the bookshelves. |
| | Respondent no. 87 |
I think that the change in format would definately boost sales for a number of reasons (more prominent/eyecatching in retail environment;more convenient to carry/read; cheaper to produce, therefore price can be lowered making it more accessible). This in turn would increase your market share/advertising revenue and make six issues a year viable. Once you have a more frequent production schedule, you have more scope to play with content changes, offering your readership more variety/diversity and thus, hopefully, increasing your sales again. So start with the format change - Small is beautiful!! |
| | Respondent no. 89 |
More comprehensive listings of exhibitions nationwide |
| | Respondent no. 98 |
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| | Respondent no. 115 |
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| | Respondent no. 132 |
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| | Respondent no. 133 |
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| | Respondent no. 144 |
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| | Respondent no. 161 |
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| | Respondent no. 173 |
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