This week an article in the Guardian seemed to provoke a lot
of response especially across Twitter and Facebook where people seemed to be
positively cheering at the proclamation that the ‘new boring is everywhere’. The
piece, ‘The new boring is everywhere’,
argued that television has become bland
and ‘boring’ - even the nation’s beloved Kirstie….and do you know what? I have to say that I found myself agreeing …and
I say this as an avid ‘maker’
Sadly Kirstie’s Handmade Britain exposes the worst about ‘crafting’
. I don’t call myself ‘crafter’ for the
very reasons that this article highlights, because it has ‘beige’ connotations
and implies that people who make things are somehow boring and a bit a
‘worthy’, the very images we need to be moving away from.
One of my main issues with Kirstie’s Handmade Britain is her
demonic competitiveness that every week seems to get worse sucking the very joy
out of the events. Since when did making
things have to be about winning? Why can’t we just enjoy ourselves?
In one episode she sneers at the ‘rules and regulations’ surrounding
a flower show (careful Kirstie these are the very hands that feed you). Kirstie, if you hate the regulations so much then don’t
enter! And while we’re on the subject,
if you are entering how about creating a level playing field? Since when was a fat budget, with access to experts
who not only train you but design for you as well, a full crew in support, access
to all the the best tools... and a ‘reputation’, represent a level playing
field?
These competitors live for their annual moments. How must
they feel to have Kirstie and her entourage swan in and win... even with a
burnt cake? (yes the judges did notice and comment on it and yet the still let
it win).
How galling for the locals whose competition was hi-jacked
by a C4 programme. And this faux-surprised,
‘wow, even a complete beginner like me can win’ demeans all their hard efforts
and talent. Kirstie you have not won because you are a brilliant ‘crafter’, but
because you are a Channel 4 programme. By all means enter the competition, but
have fun and have the decency not to ‘enter’ the judging. Let them comment and give you feed back by
all means, but why do you have to
win!
But to return to my original point - perhaps what’s worst is
that this programme shows up the very worst of ‘beige’ crafting and doesn’t
even start to scratch the surface of the wealth of creative talent that is out
there pushing the boundaries and making ‘making things’ fun.
Yes, I said ‘Fun’. That’s what it should be. Making things is good for us and should be
about enjoyment... not getting stressed gunning for first prizes and to hell with the others.
Don’t get me wrong I think it’s great that we’re getting these
skills onto the prime time agenda, but at what expense? What are the messages
we’re sending out? This programme is
simply compounding this view that the new boring is everywhere! Kirstie claims that the WI are reinventing
themselves, but then goes on to just simply fulfil and embed the existing
stereotype. So let’s get rid of beige TV and bring some colour into our lives!
PS Kirstie If you
really want competition, then bring it on. MIAMI would be happy to step up to the plate…
but please let’s do it with laughter and a level playing field!
