For
something that’s nominally “contemporary”, few
things in the modern world are as little understood as contemporary
art. Let’s face it, most of us can work out how to use the
Internet, mp3 players, mobile phones, DVD players and other marvels
of our times; but relatively few of us understand (and fewer still
truly appreciate) contemporary art.
One of the key difficulties is that, with advances
in technology, just what is “art” can be an elusive
concept. Traditional forms like painting and sculpture are still
around of course, but are supplemented by digital imagery, sound
art, design, even fashion.
Brisbane’s QUT Art Museum has taken on the
task of de-mystifying the realm of contemporary art with the 2007
Arc Biennial exhibition, opening this month. Titled “To
Be Confirmed…”, this is one of the larger exhibitions
of its kind, presenting the work of some 50 artists in the fields
of contemporary art, craft, and design.
The 2007 Arc Biennial is managed by the Artworkers
Alliance, and is intended to present an insight into contemporary
Australian craft, design, fashion and visual art practice, with
a focus on Queensland-based practitioners.
Among
those selected for the exhibition are renowned visual artists
Ben Quilty and Judith Wright; sculptor Alasdair Macintyre (whose
recent Sydney exhibition was profiled here in The Blurb); fashion
designed George Wu, and jeweller Rebecca Ward. In addition, the
organisers have included the work of other significant artists,
some whose work defies easy categorisation, including Lily Hibberd,
Archie Moore, The General Will, and The Upholstery.
The title “To be Confirmed...”, refers
to the diversity of contemporary artistic practice and its refusal
to be pinned down to any one definition. The title questions long
established ideas of what art, craft and design are, what they
should be, and what they may become in the future. Co-curator
Gordon Craig said that to achieve this goal, the exhibition presents
“a selection of endless conceptual possibilities for the
viewer to feast on”.
“The exhibition questions entrenched ideas
regarding what form art should take and we guarantee some surprises,”
he said.
As well as the exhibition, the 2007 Arc Biennial
also includes a three-day symposium celebrating art, design and
craft. This will be held from October 12 – 14 at the QUT
Gardens Theatre, the program features exhibitions, forums and
lectures by internationally renowned artists, curators and writers.
For
something that’s nominally “contemporary”, few
things in the modern world are as little understood as contemporary
art. Let’s face it, most of us can work out how to use the
Internet, mp3 players, mobile phones, DVD players and other marvels
of our times; but relatively few of us understand (and fewer still
truly appreciate) contemporary art.
Among
those selected for the exhibition are renowned visual artists
Ben Quilty and Judith Wright; sculptor Alasdair Macintyre (whose
recent Sydney exhibition was profiled here in The Blurb); fashion
designed George Wu, and jeweller Rebecca Ward. In addition, the
organisers have included the work of other significant artists,
some whose work defies easy categorisation, including Lily Hibberd,
Archie Moore, The General Will, and The Upholstery.