Maritime contains video and photographic works that form parts four & five of the Econasia series. The videos Irredentist and Affirm were filmed on the Yangtze River in China and the Inland Sea in Japan, respectively. Incorporating political science text and passages from Albert Camus‘ The Plague these works hope to offer an evocative consideration of contemporary political tensions in East Asia. The videos feature sound by Sarah Phelan & Byron Dean, with vox by Yanxin Li & Jihyun Lee.

This show is perhaps the most poignant representation of the Econasia series to date and will run at Kings Gallery from May 29 until June 22 on Level 1 / 171 King Street.

www.facebook.com/events/308034985996181/

…ABOVE: STILL FROM ‘IRREDENTIST‘

Many in Film & Television circles regard Film Noir as dangerous territory. As for television itself, I often hold an utter disdain for its‘ oftentimes over-theatricality and false amusement. And with that said, I am quite irreverent that The Hour was axed from production after 2 highly satisfying series.
Although the acting was at times below par; we are, of course, inclined to make certain concessions to the concerns of television series production. And with this in mind, I viewed The Hour as a triumph of a late modernist Film Noir-in-Technicolor as tragedy in both the climax of story and the decision to cease its‘ production.

Amongst the powerful characters lies our heroine, Bel (played by Romola Garai) and her ill-fated liasons with crusading newsman Lyon (Ben Whishaw). The storyline of captivating intrigue (arms race, smut, corruption) also frames failed personal sacrifice (in newsman Hector and his all-suffering wife Marnie) and the pursuit of rigour during the time of newsroom advent. Marnie‘s character is a subtle victory by Oona Chaplin, grand-daughter of the late Charlie Chaplin, as both the epitome of the declining role of housewife and, one might venture; the disparaging of perceived beauty. With great cinematography, set design, and costume I‘d only wish the series could only press on.

Artbox is the creation of Alex Gibson and Michael Menegetti. It is a compact-sized media player that is tailored to use by video artists. It allows the video artist a plug-and-play mode of exhibiting moving images. The Artbox campaign is being run with Pozible to achieve $10,000 to realise the project. It will be an open-source technology; meaning that one can purchase the electronic circuitry for the media player and build it yourself. This is an amazing development; all more when you consider that the Artbox will be surrendered into the public domain. I implore you to give a little coin -or a lot!

Over a year in the making, Vaudeville Smash launch their debut Album Dancing For The Girl to their home town of Melbourne on Fri the 14th of June at the Corner Hotel. The Album has already started garnering some critical acclaim, with Inpress Magazine stating: “It‘s one of 2013‘s great albums“.

Get it here: http://vaudevillesmash.bandcamp.com/

Vaudeville Smash have not played a show since before their US tour in March. This will be their first Melbourne show since returning home [and] it‘s gonna be BIG!. No, it‘s gonna be absolutely ENORMOUS!!

Tickets $15+bf, through: https://corner.ticketscout.com.au/gigs/1319-the-vaudeville-smash-

Supported by synth-funk explosion Sex On Toast and jangle rock Phenomenon She Said You.

FROM: VAUDEVILLE SMASH

Thursday night gone, I was excited to be getting down to the Plumps at the wonderful gothic-revival Royal Melbourne Hotel. The sound was delicious; the crowd generally pretty good & the dance vibe got significantly large. Plump DJs (Lee Rous and Andy Gardner) are touring Australia at the moment on the back of their latest release in the Dirty Weekend series of EPs. This is about the 12th release from their own Grand Hotel label; and the sounds keep going from strength-to-strength. This was evident in over 2 hours of breakbeat glory at RMH. Check out the floor-filler Gobbstopper -such a bangin‘ track:

Opens Wednesday: 17th April - Show runs until 4th May

Seventh Gallery, 155 Gertrude Street Fitzroy, from 6pm

This video installation is a representation of the confines of class in society; the footage from beneath freeway junctions typifies a perceived structure (or mechanism) of authority and labour. It is also analogous to the notion of a ‘glass ceiling‘ or typical confines that are prevalent between the status quo and those emanating from lower socio-political groups.
The video offers a visually appealing set of moving images that are complimented by ambient sound.

Sound and Video: M T WALKER

What else might be levelled at this former UK Prime Minister apart from miserable and machined governance? Answer: She was a great leader. Maggie emerged as a supreme instrument in maligning the union-empowered worker; particularly in the late 1970s. Supporters of the worker equate her rule with loathsome policy and exploitative labour mechanisms. However, those championing the macro-economic boon during this time were but equivocally impressed by the acumen and rapturous decisiveness applied by this woman. The fact that Thatcher was able to mobilise and execute a war in the Falklands is equally a cause for disdain, baulk; and a characteristic insight into this woman‘s ability to flaw her party and dictate her country: an occurrence rare in liberal democracies.
Upon her death one might reflect upon her atrocious acts of war; against both foreign and domestic state. But it might also give charge to averting ill-will to the dead and a reflection upon the historical significance of The Iron Lady for better or worse. 

I can‘t help myself enough of this album: Muchacho with the featured track framed here a certain must; however, my favourite being Ride On / Right On -a success by all accounts and a call to the ready of all fans (early) Flaming Lips. Sure, it‘s early days and we‘ll yet see what production is to come. But these favourites, headed up by Alabama‘s Matthew Houck have made the break into the East Coast scene, U.S., in recording superb contemporary country-gospel hits at their new den in Brooklyn. An investigation into the melancholy; Muchacho will hopefully see this promising act hit our antipodean shores somewhat soon and the less fanfare the better (says he at the pen)!

Econasia 6: Vicissitude
M T WALKER
Video 4‘30“ 2012
Japanese with English subtitles
Sound: Jonathon Nokes | Vox: Jun Miyagi | Text: Soekarno 1967