Re: We are not the alternative

Jonathan Bailey ()
Wed, 15 January 1997 5:32 PM

>
>
>On Tue, 14 Jan 1997, Jonathan Bailey wrote:
>
>> >In France the clessical expression is " proc=E9d=E9 ancien"
>> >marc
>> >
>> Marc - Is this anything like "SYSTEM D" in France?
>> Perhaps you'd care to explain, Marc?

Judy Seigel replied-

>Yes, please. Are you there Marc?
>
>Although I like "neo (or new) seccession," "system D" would be lots easier
>to say *and* spell.

Friends-

Just for the record, I was only half serious when I brought it up....

As I understand it, System D (in France) is the "underground" economy,
outside the "mainstream" system of control and regulation (which is
enormously entrenched in France). It is where the fringe element survive.
It's where people take a do-it-yourself attitude toward paying their bills
and surviving. I live a System D sort of existence here in Maine, taking
odd jobs painting houses, occassional wharf work etc. between exhibitions
and "doing the work." You put it together as you go along day to day and
trust the gods to provide, acknowledging that you've chosen to work
"outside" the system.

My use of the cheap plastic "Diana" camera, and the use of the exotic toning
procedures that fascinate me is, perhaps, out on the fringes of "mainstream"
photography, even though I am still bison@dada.it (at this point) using traditional silver
paper. Certainly, persons on this list rely on their wits and
problem-solving skills to keep their photography going day to day.

So it was not completely in jest I offered it as an alternative name...for
what it's worth....

Jon Bailey


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