Last Christmas, I gave you fine art,
But the very next day, you gave it away.
This year, to save me from tears,
I’m giving you something conceptual.
This Christmas Home Live Art and Richard DeDomenici are putting the fun back into unethical fundraising.
Earlier this year raconteur DeDomenici invited everyone he knew who self-identified as a live artist to the famous Major Tom music studios to record Live Art Aid, a song designed to raise money for, and awareness of, live artists in the UK.
All money raised will be distributed between the live artists who agreed to sing on the record.
“Crucially, I didn’t tell them they’d be the direct beneficiaries at the time, otherwise too many people would have shown up.” Richard explains.
“It was a sweaty nightmare actually, they were argumentative and most of them couldn't sing. It was like trying to herd sheep with a cat. I bought some wine for us to drink afterwards, which they consumed whilst I was still setting up the microphones” recalls DeDomenici.
“Having said that, it was very altruistic of them to come in on a Sunday, and, even though I’d promised them free snacks and most of them were obnoxiously late, I think they deserve a reward.”
Much like the last time he set foot in a recording studio (his controversial TV show Fame Asylum) Richard is attempting to have his cake and eat it.
Whilst at the same time also trying to eat your cake.
“Live Art is one of the most uncommercial art genres in the world, and is in danger of becoming extinct.” he elucidates. “We’re like pandas in that respect - barely able to sustain ourselves, and hardly ever having sex. Except most people have heard of pandas.”
Richard’s lyrics to Live Art Aid try to explain some of the problems live artists face, and, for the uninitiated, what Live Art actually is.
An attempt that informed observers claim has singularly failed.
DeDomenici counters: “Well the song’s only four minutes long, so it was a bit of a tall order. I’ve had to add some some explanatory notes on the website. Think of each line as a potential launchpad to a salient point.”
Co-written by Tom Parkinson and Bryony Kimmings - who is no longer considered a live artist because she’s too popular - the song may sound familiar as it’s based on a backwards version of Do They Know It’s Christmas?
“Everyone loved Band Aid in 1984, now everyone thinks it’s shit. The same thing’s true of the Live Art sector” said Kimmings, from her picturesque cottage in the Cotswolds.
DeDomenici - described by many to be as scruffy as Bob Geldof but more annoying and less talented - says the record is a last ditch attempt to radically improve the deteriorating funding landscape for live artists.
“In many respects it’s like trying to stick a plaster on a gaping wound” he says, before mentioning that he wanted to advertise the record on television in developing countries, but ran out of money.
“If this doesn’t work I’m planning to open a Live Art speakeasy/brothel” he threatens.
So this December buy your loved ones a beautiful gift while simultaneously sponsoring a live artist. your contribution really could make all the difference, like finally being able to replace the wine-damaged keyboard of a 2006 Macbook Pro.
Live Art Aid is available from 1st December 2015 in digital download form, and as a limited edition hand-numbered 7-inch vinyl records.
For those without a record player, each vinyl copy comes with a handy hole in the middle for affixing to the wall with a hammer.
If you don't have a permanent address, or live in rented accommodation where you aren’t allowed to make holes in your walls, various bits of associated merchandise, such as t-shirts and mugs, are also available.
This Christmas charity begins at Home Live Art.
Visit https://www.indiegogo.com/at/liveartaid to pledge your support today.
@DeDomenici | @HomeLiveArt | DeDomenici.com | HomeLiveArt.com
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