We were going to have the Long Gallery at Bath from May until 12 July, ten
weeks. But as I have not been able to run down the tapes of APIS, Les
McClean seems to a world traveller of epic proportions, or confirm the
arrangements for Lisbon, as I could not contact Carlos, I have not been
able to confirm the need for the Gallery or the lecture theatre for this
period. Unfortunately a lot of MPs and Lords from the Parliamentary
Photographic Association have snuck in for the first three weeks of the
period. We can now only have the Gallery from 17 June to 12 July. The
criterion for the exhibition will be excellence of image and the craft in
the use of the process. We can then take the exhibition down and transfer
it to Oporto for APIS 98. We can also have the lecture theatre on 4/5 July
for a mini APIS to associated with the record of 1997 APIS.
Can I also put a few things straight. I have seen articles in N American
publications and trhe APR where as a result of APIS
1. I have been described as acerbic and a stranger to modesty.
2. The RPS has been accused of not helping in the arrangements for APIS
and not being air conditioned.
3. It has been said that APIS 97 was not the first one.It has also been
said that the programme was not strictly adhered to.
As to 1 I can take the remarks about me.
But as to 2 the RPS has no security of tenure and as the building is of
historical importance, the structural alterations that installing air
conditioning would require would cost a great deal of money. Without
security of tenure it would be irresponsible of trhe RPS to invest that
kind of money. But it was hot and humid, unberarably so. Remember though
that this was a list arrangement not a function organised by the RPS who
did not even charge for our use of their facilities.
As to whether APIS 97 was the first, it does not really matter. When I
first joined the list early in 96 I suggested that would be great if we
could meet each other. Luis set up a meeting for a few hours one Saturday
morning in Paris. We had a meal, a museum visit, and very enjoyable
informal discussions and another meal and met people from the French
associations. A good time was had by all. I was able to devotesome time
to making a formal arrangement in Bath for APIS 1997 at the RPS who did not
charge for the space. This was how, together with the generosity of the
speakers who did not charge for their talks or expenses, we were able to
keep the costs down. Unfortunately Luis was unable to come. The name APIS
was coined for the 97 function around my kitchen table. Alternative
Processes International Symposium. APIS , a play of words relating to
'symposium' where one, according to the Greeks, drank wine over the
discussion. It was also a reference to the honey used to keep collodion
plates damp. The logo was a hexagon representing not only a bee cell but
also the benzene ring of many photographic developers including gallic
acid.
There is a need to be flexible when running a function of this kind. I
thought that the group would be interested to see some giant ambrotypes and
as others ran on, unfortunately the Bromoil Circle did not have their
chance and other's opportunities were truncated. All one can do is
apologise. But someone has to make these judgements.
I enjoyed running APIS 97. I also found it very worthwhile to allow
delegates to see just what can be achieved by the very best workers in, for
example, platinum and four colour carbon. Functions of this kind can offer
inspiration to us all.
I hope that Carlos has as much fun in organising APIS 97 as i did in
getting APIS 97 going. I wish him every success and thank him in advance.
Terry King