Blog


  • Reflections on my first few weeks at Platform

    Reflections on my first few weeks at Platform

    “What’s it like at Platform?” Since I started work here a few weeks ago this is the first question friends ask me when they see me. So far, I have failed to answer this question, offering a combination of mumbling, smiles and pregnant pauses. Where do you start? I spent the last 10 years working…

    19 Dec 2012 admin
  • The true story behind Channel 4’s ‘Secret State’ – RBS’s dirty deals

    The true story behind Channel 4’s ‘Secret State’ – RBS’s dirty deals

    Sometimes Platform is really late off the mark, but luckily a friend in Liverpool gave us a nudge.  Thanks Lena. WARNING – this blog post contains spoilers. Channel 4’s recent 4-part political thriller ‘Secret State’ has an oil and finance storyline, elements of which uncannily mirror some of Platform’s current and recent campaigns. The plot…

    11 Dec 2012 jane
    ,
  • Platform 2012 Round Up

    Platform 2012 Round Up

    Platform 7 December 2012 Dear All,We’re rounding up one of the most amazing years for Platform. So much has happened in 2012 – the launch of The Oil Road, three wonderful new staff members joining us, big and creative challenges to oil sponsorship of Tate, and so much more…. As we plan 2013 and beyond, we are…

    7 Dec 2012 admin
  • Tate Members intervene at Tate AGM over BP sponsorship

    Tate Members intervene at Tate AGM over BP sponsorship

    A group of 15 fee-paying Tate members have sent a letter (see below) to the Tate Member’s council in advance of tonight’s Members’ AGM at Tate Modern asking questions about the controversial relationship between Tate and BP. At last year’s AGM, members of Liberate Tate handed over a petition of more than 8,000 people calling…

    7 Dec 2012 admin
    ,
  • Experiencing ‘The Panaudicon’ – An audio tour of Tate Britain and BP sponsorship

    Experiencing ‘The Panaudicon’ – An audio tour of Tate Britain and BP sponsorship

     In August 2012 a dissertation for an MSc in Sustainable Development was submitted at Exeter University that was titled TATE-Á-TATE: An exploration of Soundwalks and their potential for achieving sustainability (download here). Written by Robert Black, it featured a three part auto-ethnographic response to participation in the Tate à Tate audio tour, a three part sound…

    3 Dec 2012 admin
  • ‘No more money for arms deals’ – but what about fossil fuels?

    ‘No more money for arms deals’ – but what about fossil fuels?

    Last week, a cross-party inquiry called for Parliament to review the use of public money to support arms exports. The all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on international corporate responsibility said Parliament should debate introducing a ‘prohibition list’ of projects that the Government refuses to underwrite. They suggested arms sales should be at the top of it.…

    3 Dec 2012 admin
  • Just how ‘criminal’ does BP need to get for it to violate Tate’s ethics policy?

    Just how ‘criminal’ does BP need to get for it to violate Tate’s ethics policy?

    Point 4.1b of Tate’s Ethics Policy (that you can download here) states that Tate will not accept funds in circumstances when: The donor has acted, or is believed to have acted, illegally in the acquisition of funds, for example when funds are tainted through being the proceeds of criminal conduct. I’m not from any sort…

    30 Nov 2012 admin
  • New film ‘Chasing Ice’ comes to the UK

    New film ‘Chasing Ice’ comes to the UK

    A guest post by Dogwoof Films. Climate change is getting closer. Natural disasters are no longer apparently restricted to distant third world countries that we in west can sympathise with in the abstract. The recent experiences of Hurricane Sandy on the east coast of the United States and the devastating flooding around the UK act…

    29 Nov 2012 admin
  • RBS finances Tullow’s drilling in Ghana

    RBS finances Tullow’s drilling in Ghana

      Tullow Oil Plc has secured a finance deal with a number of banks including the publicly owned Royal Bank of Scotland. The company says the $3.5m debt refinancing will in part be used for its operations in Ghana. Platform has watched the developments in Ghana closely. Amongst other concerns, Tullow has continued to flare…

    15 Nov 2012 admin
    ,

PLATFORM BRINGS workers AND communities TOGETHER TO CREATE NEW, LIBERATORY SYSTEMS THAT TACKLE INJUSTICE AND CLIMATE BREAKDOWN.