Calls for Channel 4 Religious Programming Chief, Aaqil Ahmed, to be Accountable for Plagiarism of Artist’s TV ideas.



In May 2004 Award Winning International artist Anthony Padgett submitted ideas for a new television show on “shopping for religion” to the commissioning editor of Channel 4’s religious programming, Aaqil Ahmed. These ideas have now become reality in “Spirituality Shopper” Channel 4, 8pm on Monday, June 6th, 2005. Padgett has received no acknowledgement or recognition for this and says “It is about time that religious program makers applied some of the standards that they preach and became accountable for plagiarism”.



The ideas were developed by Anthony Padgett in April 2004 as a result of conversation with Ian McDonald at Extreme Productions, who makes religious programs for Channel 4. The new series is produced by Josh de la Mare.



Anthony claims that religious programs were conservative before he sent out his ideas of religious reality shows, make-overs and game-shows - to commissioning editors of Religious programming at Channel 4 (Aaqil Ahmed), BBC (Liz Molyneux), Channel 5 (Kim Peat) and to production companies. These ideas are changing the face of religious broadcasting, and whilst there is no legal rule entitling him to be credited, he feels that there is a religious and moral right for Television companies to be honest and give credit where it is due.



Tracy Hunt, a representative from Anthony’s union BECTU (Broadcasters, Entertainers and Cinematographer’s Trade Union) said that you can only legally protect specific, detailed programs (called “treatments”) and not ideas for programs.



Anthony believes that a system for accountability should be put in place to cover ideas as well as specific treatments of ideas. With the current legislation in place there is no way he can get Channel 4 to prove they did not hijack artistic ideas that he has developed over a number of years. As a result Anthony currently has no hard evidence that his unique ideas were plagiarised.



Anthony says “The current laws are designed to protect bureaucrats in big businesses but there is no help for the creative individuals. This kind of law is killing creativity. “



Anthony’s forthcoming press conference (11am-1pm, Thursday June 9th at Theosophy Society, 50 Gloucester Place, London W1) will launch his Edinburgh Fringe show “RELIGION CABARET: with ‘Divinityland’ and Rainbow Swastika Alien Encounter”. In the show he asks “Is religion the new shopping?” and suggests how religious shopping can overcome unfair trading by global corporations - via divine intervention.



Anthony notes how the plagiarism of his ideas is strangely coincidental to the launch of his show, almost a divine coincidence. He explains “My work is about interreligious art overcoming unfair corporate trading by divine intervention. Channel 4 has treated me unfairly so we can see if God inspires people to overcome this unfairness and prove my work as being religiously valid.”



The media are invited to report fairly on this matter in order to further these moral and religious standards.



As well as presenting shopping for religion, Padgett ends his show transformed into “The Business Messiah”, with a new perspective to revolutionise world commerce. “As businesses deal with religious products their own religious affiliations and values need stating. These businesses will then be accountable as to how well they follow their religious values. I am asking for Channel 4’s Religious department to be accountable in this way.”



Anthony Padgett

07812 799521



Aquil Ahmed

Channel 4 Television
124 Horseferry Road
London
SW1P 2TX

Tel: 020 73964444

 http://www.channel4.com/4producers/frame_ie.html



Ian McDonald

Extreme Production Ltd

Tel: 028 90809050/0208 6002625

Fax: 028 90809051

www.extremeproduction.com



Tracey Hunt BECTU 020 73460900





EXCERPTS FROM CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN ANTHONY PADGETT AND IAN MCDONALD OF EXTREME PRODUCTIONS, CONCERNING CHANNEL 4 AND “RELIGION AND SHOPPING”.



E-MAIL FROM IAN MCDONALD TO ANTHONY PADGETT IN RESPONSE TO 15 PROGRAM IDEAS SENT OUT IN MARCH 2004



02/04/04

“ we're developing a religion series for Channel 4which we're quite ewxcited about.

thanks for geting in touch with us “

Ian McDonald






FROM ANTHONY PADGETT TO IAN MCDONALD – APRIL 2004


I am really interested in the idea of religious consumerism as the conclusion of religion and art. Not so much shopping as sacred (a hackneyed idea) but “Shopping For The Sacred”. Andy Warhol created an enormous body of religious art and this kind of work is the kitsch of gay culture. There is also plenty of clubbing around the theme of mysticism and hallucinogens that relates to Eastern Religion. Consumerism could be a way of approaching themes of how religion and art have new roles in society.



Consumerism might present a democratic model of religion (provided there is fair trade) where the mixing of consumer products can lead to a mixing and diluting of religions and cultures.



A possible two part program 2x60’. “Shopping For The Sacred”.



The first would pose the question of whether we have moved from the church/mosque/synagogue to supermarket and Disco religion. It would then look at the history of religious art. There are some interesting issues in relation to Islam and prohibitions in art, clothing and belief that could be explained in a program. Situating them in relation to other religions (and their art) and also to our own.



The second would look at a supermarket model of religion (pick and mix) and how consumerism and the media affects how we understand both religion and art. Examples of Contemporary art that opposes or is complicit with consumerism would be looked at. The relation to 9/11 and the World Trade Centre would be alluded to. Interviews could be conducted as to whether contemporary art, luxury products or kitsch religious items can actually give people genuine religious feelings and beliefs.



The program hits both a shock and a cool button, provides a framework of understanding, gives entertainment, human interest and real relevance. This makes the program as broad or narrow as you like, in terms of focus on consumer products, art history, philosophy of religion. The religious history of consumer culture and American models of democracy can be incorporated into the information or the program can be kept on a more superficial basis. Contemporary art could be incorporated into this program, rather than being the main focus.



Anthony Padgett





FROM ANTHONY PADGETT TO IAN MCDONALD - 24 APRIL 2004





I also wondered if you had been in touch with Aquil Ahmed at Channel 4 concerning the program ideas.

Anthony Padgett





FROM IAN MCDONALD TO ANTHONY PADGETT - MAY 2004



Re Aqqil Ahmed, etc, we have a good relationship with him, but I think Five is the place first.



Just a thought --thinking about Aaqil: and the shopping for the sacred thing: maybe we could format this for a Four audience by having you help people (ie, celebs) find and buy (or commission) a piece of religious art that suits their own individual spirituality? Wouldn't necessarily be modern, or even post-modern -- atrip to Mother Russia to locate an icon painter would make a nice little film.

This would be a 6x30 series. (or is this hopelessly cheesy?)



best



Ian



ANTHONY PADGETT 15 MAY 2004

TO IAN MCDONALD – THESE AND OTHER IDEAS ALSO SENT TO AAQIL AHMED





LIFESTYLE PROGRAM

I like your idea of commissioning a piece of art but this might also be expanded to a form of "Changing Religions". Not just choosing a piece of artwork but also exploring lifestyle options around religions (and the limits of what is acceptable).

The program could have a sincere element in looking at peoples’ journeys to find healing and solace in different religions. It could follow them on their different journeys, contrasting each stage.

I can be like a salesperson, helping people to find and choose a religion. Offering extra options with life coaching. Example celebrities could be David Beckham, Imran Khan, Cliff Richard, Elton John, Madonna, George Michael, Charlotte Church, Nigella Lawson, Kumars, Lawrence Lwellyn-Bowen.

I could present as part of a team in collaboration with my partner Stephanie Sturges. This would cover a number of aspects of society and appeal to a broader market base. We have great chemistry and she is a Trainer/Life Coach and Wedding Cake Designer and I have a background in Religious Education and Contemporary Art. This would give both male and female angles and would combine empathic emotion and factual analysis in an overall creative, lively and engaging form.

This mirrors also the East/West, New Age/Traditional split in society as Life Coaching comes out of Jungian Analysis and mediation techniques. Steph listens to people to let them find what they want and need (internal development of the participant), and I facilitate the external changes – an interreligious lifestyle options facilitator!

A pitch demo film of Stephanie and myself could also include us wearing different religious outfits that keep changing (I have a stock of these).

BELOW ARE SOME OTHER VERY SKETCHY IDEAS OF PROGRAM TITLES

"God For Sale"

"Death of God"

"Is Art Killing God"

"Disfunctional Religion"

"Who is God in Today’s Society?"

"Why do people find God boring?"

"Religion Today, boom or bust."

"Religious Sports Stars"

"Football vs Religion" – interviews from different religious communities

"Religion from Icon to Artist".

"Art Talks Religion - artists in conversation with faith leaders" eg

Damien Hirst in conversation with the Archbishop of Canterbury, or Tracy Emin talks to the Dalai Lama.

Anthony





CORRESPONDENCE ENDS AT THIS POINT WITH NO REPLIES FROM EITHER AAQIL AHMED OR IAN MCDONALD (DESPITE REPEATED E-MAILS).