By: Ahmad Sarwary
Australia’s long standing lack of independent creative institutions has worsened, leaving Sydney’s culture industry in dire straits. Fresh institutions are needed to revive creativity.
The term culture industry refers to ‘mass media’. It was purposely rephrased by Theodore Adorno and Max Horkheimer in "The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception", to represent the true nature of mass media, as an industry that is controlled from the top down, rather than bottom up. The latter being what the term “mass media” implies. The rephrasing counters the defence of mass media as something that is desired by the public, rather than something imposed by the industry. Adorno and Horkheimer also elucidated the notion that cultural outputs under these conditions are no longer autonomous; instead they become commodities (meaning: a product to buy and sell) shaped by profit-driven rationality (such as: supply & demand). The result is a homogenised and predictable landscape driven by economic rationality rather than free expression.
Adorno and Horkheimer’s model of monopolisation (where industries become monopolised, then commodified, leading to homogenisation and predictability) offers a useful lens for understanding Australia’s current culture industry. This process creates two major issues: gatekeepers who dictate access to the industry and censorship that stifles artistic expression. Together, these factors contribute to a cultural landscape in Australia that is increasingly formulaic and uninspired.
Late last year, I was lucky enough to be a participant/observer/attendee for the Venus AU show “A Family Affair”. Within this participant study, I gained first hand insight into the ins-and-outs of planning an event independently.
Through the hard work of its founder and managing director, Khadija Ali (a.k.a Kitty), I witnessed the intensity of preparation and level of care needed to cultivate these spaces. It was immediately clear why independent institutions struggle to exist. It’s too much work for one person. And given the current cost of living crisis, it’s an impossible task for an individual serf to accomplish. But, Venus AU thrived through collaboration with likeminded individuals, who had no stakes other than helping a friend create something special. When asked, Kitty acknowledged that the title of the event, “A Family Affair”, was a recognition of its collective nature.
This feeling of community is the defining feature of Venus AU. Kitty, alongside her friends, have managed to create a uniquely intimate experience, with a focus on space and design, seemingly inspired by the 1920s bohemian jazz dens. The spirit of collaboration and intimacy cultivated by Venus AU also provides an alternative to the top-down model described by Adorno and Horkheimer.
“I just want people to sit down, have a drink and observe…..we need more observers, everyone and their mum wants to be a D.J, They feel like they need to be a creative to contribute to the scene, but sometimes we need people to just sit and be themselves and enjoy the music” - Kitty
Australia’s long standing lack of independent creative institutions has worsened, leaving Sydney’s culture industry in dire straits. Fresh institutions are needed to revive creativity.
The term culture industry refers to ‘mass media’. It was purposely rephrased by Theodore Adorno and Max Horkheimer in "The Culture Industry: Enlightenment as Mass Deception", to represent the true nature of mass media, as an industry that is controlled from the top down, rather than bottom up. The latter being what the term “mass media” implies. The rephrasing counters the defence of mass media as something that is desired by the public, rather than something imposed by the industry. Adorno and Horkheimer also elucidated the notion that cultural outputs under these conditions are no longer autonomous; instead they become commodities (meaning: a product to buy and sell) shaped by profit-driven rationality (such as: supply & demand). The result is a homogenised and predictable landscape driven by economic rationality rather than free expression.
Adorno and Horkheimer’s model of monopolisation (where industries become monopolised, then commodified, leading to homogenisation and predictability) offers a useful lens for understanding Australia’s current culture industry. This process creates two major issues: gatekeepers who dictate access to the industry and censorship that stifles artistic expression. Together, these factors contribute to a cultural landscape in Australia that is increasingly formulaic and uninspired.
Late last year, I was lucky enough to be a participant/observer/attendee for the Venus AU show “A Family Affair”. Within this participant study, I gained first hand insight into the ins-and-outs of planning an event independently.
Through the hard work of its founder and managing director, Khadija Ali (a.k.a Kitty), I witnessed the intensity of preparation and level of care needed to cultivate these spaces. It was immediately clear why independent institutions struggle to exist. It’s too much work for one person. And given the current cost of living crisis, it’s an impossible task for an individual serf to accomplish. But, Venus AU thrived through collaboration with likeminded individuals, who had no stakes other than helping a friend create something special. When asked, Kitty acknowledged that the title of the event, “A Family Affair”, was a recognition of its collective nature.
This feeling of community is the defining feature of Venus AU. Kitty, alongside her friends, have managed to create a uniquely intimate experience, with a focus on space and design, seemingly inspired by the 1920s bohemian jazz dens. The spirit of collaboration and intimacy cultivated by Venus AU also provides an alternative to the top-down model described by Adorno and Horkheimer.
“I just want people to sit down, have a drink and observe…..we need more observers, everyone and their mum wants to be a D.J, They feel like they need to be a creative to contribute to the scene, but sometimes we need people to just sit and be themselves and enjoy the music” - Kitty.
While commodification remains prevalent, there are emerging initiatives that resist total homogenisation, offering local creatives a platform to break free from the formulaic production driven by corporate and state interests. One such initiative is Venus AU.
Since its inception in 2023, Venus AU has hosted two music events showcasing a wide array of emerging artists. It has also produced a magazine with Homegrwn, a self-made media organisation. (Link to their magazine)
Late last year, I was lucky enough to be a participant/observer/attendee for the Venus AU show “A Family Affair”. Within this participant study, I gained first hand insight on the ins-and-outs of planning an event independently.
Through the hard work of its founder and managing director, Khadija Ali (a.k.a Kitty), I witnessed the intensity of preparation and level of care needed to cultivate these spaces. It was immediately clear why independent institutions struggle to exist. It’s too much work for one person. And given the current cost of living crisis, it’s an impossible task for an individual serf to accomplish. But, Venus AU thrived through collaboration with likeminded individuals, who had no stakes other than helping a friend create something special. When asked, Kitty acknowledged that the title of the event, “A Family Affair”, was a recognition of its collective nature.
The feeling of community is the defining feature of Venus AU. Kitty, alongside her friends, have managed to create a uniquely intimate experience, with a focus on space and design, seemingly inspired by the 1920s bohemian jazz dens. The spirit of collaboration and intimacy cultivated by Venus AU also provides an alternative to the top-down model described by Adorno and Horkheimer.
“I just want people to sit down, have a drink and observe…..we need more observers, everyone and their mum wants to be a D.J, They feel like they need to be a creative to contribute to the scene, but sometimes we need people to just sit and be themselves and enjoy the music” - Kitty.
By offering emerging artists a platform to perform on stage (for some, their very first time) Venus AU maintains a raw authenticity that adds to its 'for locals, by locals' charm.
In passing, Kitty mentioned that the ethos of Venus AU is to create a welcoming environment where aspiring performers and creatives can take their first steps. So for our formal interview, which was under funny circumstances, (I won’t go into detail…… It was done at Laneway in the middle of a Charli XCX set ….. And substances may have been involved) I asked what was the inspiration behind her organisation.
“(It’s important) to facilitate a safe space, especially for anxious beings, to have (things like) that extra sound check to make sure they feel good and make sure they feel comfortable in the space….. It’s mainly about giving it a go for the first time. You know, give it a crack, even if it’s shit, you gotta give it a crack.” - Kitty
What’s special about Venus AU is its raw authenticity. It stems from the ‘by locals for locals’ energy it emanates and by offering emerging artists a platform to perform on stage for the very first time.
In passing, Kitty mentioned that the ethos of Venus AU is to create a welcoming environment where aspiring performers and creatives can take their first steps. So for our formal interview, which was under funny circumstances, (I won’t go into detail…… It was done at Laneway in the middle of a Charli XCX set ….. And substances may have been involved) I asked what her inspiration behind her orginisation was.
“(It’s important) to facilitate a safe space, especially for anxious beings, to have (things like) that extra sound check to make sure they feel good and make sure they feel comfortable in the space….. It’s mainly about giving it a go for the first time. You know, give it a crack, even if it’s shit, you gotta give it a crack.”
Despite Adorno, Horkheimer and anti-monopolisation not being central to the raison d'être of Venus AU, it stands as a hopeful independent alternative institution that can resist the homogenised complexion of Australia’s culture industry. By providing young and aspiring creators a platform to practice their craft, Venus AU can position itself as a stepping stone to greater opportunities.
However, as Venus AU aspires to grow, the financial challenges of sustaining independence make the allure of the profit motive inevitable. Nonetheless, its freedom from corporate, state or commercialised influences gives it a unique gravitas, reinforcing it as a replicable model for a lasting and sustainable impact that can inspire others to do the same.
Despite Adorno Horkheimer and anti-monopolisation not being central to the raison d'être of Venus AU, it stands as a hopeful independent alternative institution that can resist the homogenised complexion of Australia’s culture industry. By providing young and aspiring creators a platform to practice their craft, Venus AU can position itself as a stepping stone to greater opportunities.
However, as Venus AU aspires to grow, the financial challenges of sustaining independence make the allure of the profit motive inevitable. Nonetheless, its freedom from corporate, state or commercialised influences gives it a unique gravitas, reinforcing it as a replicable model for a lasting and sustainable impact that can inspire others to do the same.
Despite Adorno Horkheimer and anti-monopolisation not being central to the raison d'être of Venus AU, it stands as a hopeful independent alternative institution that can resist the homogenised complexion of Australia’s culture industry. By providing young and aspiring creators a platform to practice their craft, Venus AU can position itself as a stepping stone to greater opportunities.
However, as Venus AU aspires to grow, the financial challenges of sustaining independence make the allure of the profit motive inevitable. Nonetheless, its freedom from corporate, state or commercialised influences gives it a unique gravitas, reinforcing it as a replicable model for a lasting and sustainable impact that can inspire others to do the same.