Jaws De Triomphe

This 'monument' is inspired by the Easter Island heads. The production and installation of these giant heads became the economy of the Easter Islanders. The last tree would have been felled to move the last head. The islands ecology collapsed and with no wood to build boats to escape, the islanders starved to extinction. The heads are a monumental reminder of the limits of human survival inside our niche in the overall ecosystem. The teeth are a monument to mass consumption. As part of the vanguard of industrialized nations, Australia has been able to establish a modern economy in which most people can chomp their way through more than their fair share of resources. The teeth are a celebration of our innate selfishness. They represent the man that swallows the best of humanity. Climate change is about human change. We need to change from an economy based on escalating consumerism to an economy based on maintaining our ecosystem. It is about survival.

Distress

Australia Council Community Cultural Artist in Residence Steve Mayhew ran installation workshops aimed at those with a passion for electronic gadgetry and technical know how. The workshops used a selection of 'retro media' such as old cassette players, mixing boards, turntables and videos which were sculptured into new audio visual works. The resultant artwork "distress" played to audiences in Rydges Riverside Room.

 

 

Submerged City

How many people on the planet are living on the coast?
Urban sprawl still continues up the lowlands of the east coast, former wetlands are now suburbs, wildlife vanishing and ecosystems de-stabalised. Like Fritz Langs 'Metropolis', the Submerging City is a monument to our continuing folly.