Blog Archives

Econasia: Maritime

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/

Irredentist Video Still

…ABOVE: STILL FROM ‘IRREDENTIST‘

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CLASS at Seventh Gallery

Class

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

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Vicissitude

During the Second World War Japan invaded the Netherlands colony of the Dutch East Indies (the Indoneisan archipelago). Following the Japanese surrender to the Dutch at the end of the war, some 3000 Japanese soldiers remained in Indonesia and went underground to fight with anti-colonial revoultionaries. These Japanese mercenaries assisted in the rebellion against the Dutch and are still celebrated in the Revolutionary Martyr‘s Cemetary in Jakarta (where this video is shot). Most of the Japanese remained in their adopted state and their families continue to contribute to the national diaspora. At times this Japanese influence often undermined the repressive Suharto regime that wrestled power from the original architects of the revolution (i.e. Soekarno) and imposed a nationalistic fervour that brought death and decay to the nation.

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

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Panorama (SAM)

Jul 9

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This month, I visited Singapore to sample the arts scene in this megacity; which is perhaps the face of contemporary South East Asia. Whilst checking out some local galleries around Armenian Street (The Substation was great), I also viewed the gallery at SOTA and the Panorama show at SAM. Thus, I‘ve compiled a video of the works at Singapore Art Museum (SAM) as they‘ve curated a fascinating show over 3 levels, offering the best of Asia‘s contemporary art. This massive showcase runs until December 25th, 2012 -so you‘ve plenty of time to drop in if you‘re travelling through this unique (and often puzzling) city.

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44 Lines – Matthew Berka

Jul 6

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44 Lines uses video to extensively analyse the architecture of a high density housing Apartment Block. The environment, rather than being mapped chronologically is re-traced by the camera through tracking/dolly shots that shape to the physical space. The lines drawn by the camera contradict and parallel each other, generating formal interactions between different zones of the site. Adopting aspects of cinematic language, such devices are used to re-direct the viewer’s spatial and temporal image of the environment in new ways. [from:kingsartistrun.com.au]

44 Lines | Matthew Berka

Sound by Byron Dean

King‘s ARI 171 King Street, Melbourne

6 – 22 July

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Angelica Mesiti

May 19

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You have but one day to visit Mesiti‘s most recent work Citizens Band at the ACCA New 12 show before it finishes tomorrow. Her installation consists of 4 single channel video art works, and a 5th compositional piece. It features 4 people of non-European heritage composing traditional song. An Asian man outside a convenience store playing the erhu, an African cabbie whistling a traditional tune, another African (female) composing music using the splashing of water and, finally, an Arabic (or North African) immigrant singing a tune from his homeland, with the aid of a basic keyboard. 3 of these were filmed in Sydney, with the final piece featuring the Arabic male shot on the Paris Metro.
At once, you are inclined to reflect upon the situation these immigrants find themselves; inflected is a longing for their homeland and traditional values/ environment. I found the song absolutely lovely, and the scenes well shot. However, I can‘t help but feel the over-riding theme was patronising and all too melancholic for my liking. But I guess that‘s one for you to judge yourself: the works in themselves worth the visit to ACCA.

Otherwise, you can also view parts of the work during this ACCA Artist interview:

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Brendan Lee

Jan 24

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Brendan Lee is an Australian Photographer and Video Artist from Victoria. His works are mainly centred around Australian identity and the colloquialisms associated with the urban ‘bogan‘. Brendan has recently achieved success in his 2011 show Australian Days at the CCP (Centre of Contemporary Photography), and with the release of his book Bogan Proof Fences. The book is a complement to his next show (of the same title) running from the 1st March until 25th march at The Substation 1 Market St. Newport.

INFX caught up with Brendan in this interview (of sorts) yesterday:

brendanlee.com

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Circle Jerk

Nov 23

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Do you consider 5.1 surround the real sound? No way that you would in comparing it to the Circle Jerk audio-visual bonanza that‘s coming your way.
This gig involves 100 speakers; all calibrated to immerse the spectator in an epic aural assault that will mesmerise & seduce, offend & embellish: with 5 huges rooms spanning the most of Revolt, a tailored warehouse venue in Kensington, get ready for the Circle Jerk (presented by the What Is Music? Festival). Featuring a cavacade of Sound and Media Art works, Live digital art, and Performance pieces; it is truly an event for the senses. At once you will find yourself surrounded by sounds and visuals -venture to any of the performance areas: there‘s the chilled Screening Room with Media Art installations conversing with Short Film and Video Art, the Ballroom with Live ensembles that will thrash through and manipulate sound as you‘ve never experienced. Dash into the Side Room to check a live performance piece, or make your way down to The Dock where gigs by the likes of Wrong Room will be splitting sound into the 4th dimension. Tickets just $12 (Con.) and $15 Full -totally worth it! Saturday, 10th December at Revolt, 12 Elizabeth St. Kensington (Metro Station is Macauley).

Tickets: http://sa2.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/TicketRequest?eventId=100400950&presenter=AUREVOLT&venue&event

Posted in Art, Film & Video, Music

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