The market is flat and we have to wear it

I attended a REIWA event the other day and the outlook was that the market is probably going to continue as is for the next 12 to 18 months. And by continue ‘as is’ I mean it will remain challenged and overstocked.

While it is not very comfortable for some, we need this period to allow the market to find normality. Right now we are feeling the hangover of the GFC and the resulting Government intervention. The stimulus was necessary and it was effective in keeping the country out of recession, but it didn’t come cheap. Demand was pulled forward and now the market is trying to find its way without any outside intervention and we need to leave it alone.

When the market falls into this sort of plateau, people worry and those industries that are driven by the property market find it hard, but unfortunately it is just the name of the game. We need to leave the market to its own devices and that means the Government needs to resist any form of intervention

Just like it has before, the market will come back. We just need to let it do it on its own this time. History shows that when it finds it rights itself, it lifts rapidly.

John

IN Studio

An exciting exhibition at the Fremantle Arts Centre over summer offers a glimpse into the homes and collections of 30 Fremantle artists.

Are the things artists like to collect anything like the art they actually create? Over the summer, you’ll find out by visiting Home Open at Fremantle Arts Centre.

This personal exhibition, with just a hint of nostalgia, is a unique concept where 30 Fremantle artists or artistic couples have chosen art and objects from their collections at home.

Each artist’s choices will be grouped in a tableau to give the viewer an idea of the kinds of things they are passionate about collecting and in turn reflecting the flavour of their home.

“Showing off the work like this gives it some context,” says Chris Hill, one of Home Open’s three curators. “The objects will give people an insight into the personal world of these artists, as well as the objects just being interesting in themselves.

“If you know the artist’s work, now you can also find out what kinds of things they choose to live with.”

Fremantle has always been a haven for artists and creative expression and the artists involved in Home Open are a veritable who’s who of the local and West Australian art scene. From newer artists through to celebrated veterans, they are painters, sculptors, graffiti artists, printmakers, textile artists, photographers and more.

Exhibitors include Brian McKay, Holly Story, Jane Martin and George Haynes, Jánis Nedéla, Max Pam, Megan Salmon, Pam and Tony Jones, Paul Uhlmann, Penny Bovell, Pippin Drysdale, Richard Gunning, Ruth and Trevor Vickers, Tanya Schultz, Theo Koning, Trevor Richards and Twenty Eleven.

The objects they’ll be displaying range from paintings which represent West Australian art history to a rock collection, erotic Japanese art or a map study. All the objects have some relation to their public and private worlds.

Together, the pieces share the story of the artists’ homes, their collecting history, explore why and how they were acquired and their significance.

The collections also reflect an interesting network of relationships. Many of these art collections have grown not just through purchase but have been gifted by friends and loved ones, swapped with fellow artists, are the works of family or have been found. No matter how they have come into their owner’s possession though, they are precious.

Home Open is a delicious, voyeuristic view into the diversity and energy of Fremantle artists and their homes, while sharing some rarely seen, stunning private collections.

“One of the things which struck me is the diversity of what people collect,” says Chris. “Hopefully that will be an inspiration to people who see the exhibition. You can collect – whether it’s expensive art or beautiful things from op shops or even found things. Then it’s how you display them that can make a home interesting.”

Home Open runs from November 27 – January 23 at Fremantle Arts Centre. Entry is free.

Join the Home Open opening party at the Fremantle Arts Centre on Friday, November 26 from 6.30pm. Entry is free but you must RSVP to rsvp@fremantle.wa.gov.au or 08 9432 9565.

IN Jazz

Singer and fashionista Ali Bodycoat wouldn’t trade Perth for quids.

When she was a child the trills and grooves of jazz music washed through the Bodycoat house.

So it’s probably no surprise that Ali Bodycoat became a jazz singer rather than being beguiled by pop. She’s been performing for more than 15 years and Ali has become one of Perth’s most recognised and loved jazz singers.

Starting in hospitality, where she learnt from the city’s best about style and service, Ali did her first professional jazz show in 1995 and never looked back.

These days the glamorous singer is rarely spotted without her trademark bold red lipstick and never wears anything but clothes by celebrated local designer Aurelio Costarella, for whom she also manages Post Emporium, the label’s North Perth store.

Ali is the proud owner of one of Perth’s longest musical residencies – 14 years at The Subiaco Hotel – where her repertoire focuses on great songs rather than just expected jazz standards.

“I swore I would never do songs like Fever or Summertime because I wanted to take the approach of singing beautiful jazz that wasn’t outrageously overexposed,” says Ali. “I wanted to broaden the audience’s journey too. If it’s beautiful music presented well, then people will listen. That’s part of the fantasy and mystery of being an entertainer.

“There’s something about the romance of jazz and the writing for me. The lyrics and the contents are not ashamed to be romantic and even cheesy. “Cole Porter is my most favourite, alongside Johnny Mercer and Gershwin. The fact that most of them wrote both lyrics and music in those days in the style was quite phenomenal.”

Ali has worked in theatre, appearing in productions like Rent and Hair, but recently debuted her self-created one-woman cabaret show, Minor Major Marlene, which was part of this year’s Cabaret Soiree Carnival season Downstairs at The Maj. Her three-night stand was a sell-out and has opened possibilities to tour the show.

While most people consider not leaving Perth to pursue art elsewhere as some kind of failure, Ali has proven you can build a successful, thriving and engaging career here while enjoying the best the city has to offer. She’s gained respect, reputation and plenty of work as well as actively supporting the arts and volunteering for worthy causes like StyleAid.

“I think Perth really is striding ahead compared to other Australian cities. People are actually choosing to move here and that’s really cool to me. Whether it’s music or retail, ideas and styles are really blossoming here.”

Don’t ever tell her Perth is dull. She’s one of our biggest supporters, is outspoken about issues like why the West Australian Symphony Orchestra has no home and wants to encourage everyone to support the wide variety of activities on offer.

“I think Perth has the opportunity to become even more of a hub for all kinds of arts – from music and fashion to food. We’ve got a new theatre coming and newer venues like The Ellington and The Bird are showing people it’s possible.”

buy, buy, buy

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again – when the market is uncertain, smart people act.

Smart buyers start paying attention when they cross match underlying economic fundamentals with phrases like: Uncertain property market! Increase in days on market! Increasing stock levels! Low auction clearance rates! Basically when you are a savvy buyer, you know that there is good opportunity hiding behind negative talk and bad news.

Right now the property market is weighed down with uncertainty and it is showing in a number of different ways, houses are taking longer to sell, prices are fluctuating and stock levels far outweigh clearance rates. There are a lot of different reasons as to why this is happening and unless you have a crystal ball there is no telling how long it will last. What is certain is the fact that right now is a good time to step up and make an informed move.

Anti-cyclical buying is the very best buying there is, but it takes smarts. You have to be able to make the decision to press go despite the negative talk coming from all angles. You have to make the first move, you need to act before the herd (who are sitting on the fence). History shows that when the market turns it recovers very quickly and big gains are made by those already positioned in the market, and not by those playing catch up.

I always come back to the point that this state is staring down the barrel of a significant housing demand increase and as the population grows and employment improves the squeeze will again push buying and rental prices up, especially when you start to recognise the relative difference in property values in the WA market in comparison with other Australian markets.

This may very well be your chance for good buying, don’t waste it.

IN Music

Marcia Hines has paid tribute to a favourite musician by recording the songs from the classic album Tapestry.

When Marcia Hines bought her first copy of Carole King’s Tapestry it was on vinyl. It was 1971 and she sat next to the record player and followed along with the large included lyric sheet.

“It was like she was just singing to me,” says Marcia, one of Australia’s most-loved singers.

The album went on to be one of the most influential in the singer’s collection and when Marcia was offered the chance to record the songs off Tapestry she jumped at the idea. The result is Marcia Sings Tapestry And the songs of Carole King, as they’ve added three more King songs at the end.

Tapestry – an undeniable pop classic – was released in 1971 by American singer-songwriter Carole King and features such classics as I Feel The Earth Move, You’ve Got A Friend, So Far Away and its marquee track (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman. It remains the longest charting album by a female solo artist and has sold more than 25 million copies.

“When Carole wrote this album, she was a young woman and she spoke for all of us,” says the Member of the Order of Australia and former Australian Idol judge. “She had a lot to say and was living her life and it was the first time I had heard stories about women being on the road. She touched certain parts of our lives that people never spoke about. Something like Will You Love Me Tomorrow was a huge admission.”

When Marcia was first approached with the idea she thought “cool, that could be interesting”.

“I also thought it would be a challenge,” says 57-year-old Marcia, who this year also celebrates 40 years as an entertainer. “Tapestry is one of those albums steeped in tradition so you really have to harness lightning and decide what you are going to do with it.

“The album was released in 1971and there have been immense changes in music since then, so we wanted to introduce it to this century but keep it real.”

The singer says the warmth on the album has much to do with the fact that both she and the musicians were in the studio together. The results are a better sounding album than she could ever have hoped for.

“It’s funny to hear something a zillion times and never think that you are going to record it. I looked at it from a fan and an audience’s perspective. So I put the album on non-stop for a month just to feel it again and I realised how cool it was going to be to re-do. My family were very patient!

“There’s no one who sounds like Carole but I know putting my voice to it will change it, plus the instrumentation we chose will do that too. That’s the stamp we put on it.

“Keeping it real was what I wanted. This album is very conversational, not about how clever you can be with your voice.”

Marcia Hines Sings Tapestry is out now. See Marcia Hines and Leo Sayer perform at Perth Zoo on February 12, 2011.

WIN, WIN, WIN!

Thanks to Universal Music Australia we have five copies of Marcia Sings Tapestry to give away…
To go in the draw, simply become a fan of Realmark on Facebook at
facebook.com/realmarkre.

IN Modern Art

By Ara Jansen

From Picasso to Pollock and Magritte to Mondrian, Perth is being treated to an international collection of modern art.

One of the modern art world’s most fascinating characters also had an enviable collection, which Perth art lovers can indulge in over the summer months.

Blessed with a keen eye and excellent taste, Peggy Guggenheim was the niece of Solomon R. Guggenheim, after whom New York’s famed art gallery and foundation is named. Peggy’s father died in the sinking of the Titanic in 1912, leaving the 21-year-old New Yorker a $2.5 million inheritance.

In her early 20’s Peggy moved to Paris, became enamoured with the bohemian set and became friends with artists who would go on to become big names in art’s future.

She started selling, collecting and exhibiting art as well as promoting her friends and eventually moved to Venice. Her collection became one of Europe’s most significant examples of modern American art and remains so today.

On display now and for the next four months at the Art Gallery of Western Australia are 35 pieces from the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice.

Titled Peggy Guggenheim: A Collection in Venice, the works show off the late Peggy’s strong affinity for surrealism and abstraction, two of last century’s key art movements.

The collection of European and American artists who transformed modern art includes work by Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, René Magritte, Piet Mondrian, Vasily Kandinsky, Giorgio de Chirico, Constantin Brancusi, Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock.

To offer a further insight into the woman herself, personal ephemera from the colourful collector and patron, including her famous sunglasses and pictures of her much-loved dogs, will also be on display.

This is the first exhibition in the Art Gallery’s annual series called Great Collections of the World.

Art Gallery of Western Australia director Dr Stefano Carboni says the Peggy Guggenheim exhibition and others in the series, which are exclusive to Perth and not travelling elsewhere in Australia, will share some of art’s most interesting treasures with West Australians.

“I think there’s an appetite for this kind of exhibition in Perth,” says Dr Carboni. “We’ve created something very unique here, because it’s not part of another show. These are masterpieces and I want to give the public a great experience that is both visual and educational.”

The exhibition also comes with a full schedule of activities for all ages which range from talks and after-hours master classes to student art workshops.

Peggy Guggenheim: A Collection in Venice is at the Art Gallery of Western Australia until January 31, 2011. Check out greatcollections.com.au for full activity list.

*Realmark is an active and enthusiastic supporter of the arts and has a close association with the Art Gallery of Western Australia. Our award-winning company was a sponsor of Starry Starry Night, a glittering fundraiser held in the lead-up to Peggy Guggenheim: A Collection in Venice.*

Realmark scoops REIWA awards

This month, I am proud to announce to IN readers that Realmark won four categories at the recent 2010 Real Estate Institute of Western Australia Excellence Awards.

We received the following awards:

• Best Large Residential Agency of the Year- for the second consecutive year
• Best Commercial Agency of the Year - for the first time
• The Communication Award - for the fourth time
• The Innovation Award - for the third time

My fellow director and wife Anita, and myself, plus some senior staff members were at the event to accept the awards and it was an incredible feeling to be recognised by our peers across so many categories.

However, these awards are not mine, they belong to the entire Realmark team because without their hard work and commitment to the Realmark approach, this never would have happened.

What is also encouraging is that these awards are a sign that we are delivering on our promises to our clients and ultimately, that is why we all get out of bed everyday.

So I’d like to thank the entire Realmark team for all their work that has culminated in these awards, but I’d also like to use this opportunity to thank Realmark’s clients. Thank you for choosing and supporting our progressive approach to real estate, we wouldn’t be here today if you didn’t believe in us.