Statements with universal themes
LOCAL and regional exhibitions explore the fields of film, video, and applied photography by creating personal statements that have universal themes.
Some show the human body as both the subject and object in performance art, some allude to popular culture and the politics of change, while another celebrates sharing life with special pets. THE LOCKYER VALLEY ART GALLERY IN GATTON is hosting a fascinating exhibition on tour from QAGOMA. “Physical Video” includes a number of short films from the gallery’s collection. Each interprets the human body as an instrument of communication. Classic pieces by German artist Rebecca Horn and the late American artist Dennis Oppenheim are treasures from the 1970s. Other works such as James Oram’s “Feeling the Burn,” a direct-to-camera performance about risk and the pain factor, and “Walking the Wall” by Angela Tiatia that addresses racial displacement and gender stereotyping also reference performance art of the 1960s and 1970s. Particularly arresting is the eerie underwater sequence by Japanese-Vietnamese artist Jun Nguyen- Hatsushiba in which riders pedal rickshaw cyclos across a rocky sea bed, a metaphor symbolizing the desperate struggle of refugees in post war Vietnam. Australia artists Tarryn Gill and Pilar Mata Dupont adopt a 1930s propaganda style reminiscent of German film maker, Leni Riefenstahl.
Their film “Gymnasium 2010” takes a slightly cynical look at national identity and the cult of physical perfection. A lyrical and elegant black and white video by Sriwhana Spong from New Zealand combines dance, costume, and music.
The exhibition continues until August 12. THE TOOWOOMBA REGIONAL ART GALLERY IS SHOWING “MONTAGES: THE FULL CUT 1999-2015 TRACEY MOFFATT AND GARY HILLBERG.” This touring exhibition presents a suite of eight filmic montages created by Moffatt and Hillberg, an experimental filmmaker and music video producer. Moffatt represented Australia at the Venice Biennale last year, and is known for her use of film, video, and photography to confront issues of race, gender, cultural stereotypes, and identity. For these collaborative montages Moffatt and Hillberg mined archival Hollywood films.
The clever, sometimes uncomfortable, often humorous ‘cut and paste’ mini productions are linked under titles including “Lip,” “Artist,” “Love”, “Doomed,” “Revolution,” “Mother,” “Other,” and “The Art.”
The splicing re-contextualizes the imagery in which juxtaposed clichés offer pithy comment on changing values, the politically correct, and society’s cultural capital.
There is a Twilight Talk and special screening at the Gallery on August 16 at 5.30pm. THE RED DOOR GALLERY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN QUEENSLAND IS PRESENTING “UNDERSTANDABILITY,” a printmaking exhibition by Aileesha Detmers.
Drawing and applied photography have informed the imagery depicting cherished family pets Bella, Jack, and Tyson.
Loyalty and unconditional love are honoured through details in colour and line.
REMINDER: The Facets of Fairholme Boutique Art Exhibition showcasing local and regional artists happens tomorrow Saturday, August 4: Fairholme Assembly Hall 10.30am-3pm.