Terrorist Training School: PVI Collective

Contemporary performance often seems bent on escaping the theatrical frame, eroding the boundaries, and making problematic the relationship between theatre and reality. In Terrorist Training School, the Perth-based performance group PVI abandoned traditional theatrical space altogether, opting for tour buses and trams. Wilson here sets the scene for the 2002 performance and discusses the performative and prescriptive aspects of both the theatrical and real life terrorist attacks taking place in all parts of the contemporary world.

More from this Issue

The Pacific Highway Solution

Wayne Barrow provides a humorous dialogue between himself and two of his mates Boney and Dazza, the three of them on their way back to Sydney after a week of concreting. This article raises issues surrounding the problems with the construction of the Pacific Highway, the government's policies on mandatory detention and the shocking state of take away food along the way.

Wayne Barrow

Jan Flook, Recycology

Jan Flook, Recycology Linden Centre for Contemporary Arts 11 October - 10 November 2002

Alex Taylor

Disorientation: Afghan War Rug, No Easy Answers

Lendon takes up the idea of cross-cultural interpretation and exchange as exemplified through the symbolism imbued in a traditional 'Afghan war rug', an item which was part of the exhibition 'The Rugs of War' held in June 2003. Through deconstructing the seemingly violent and barbaric visual imagery, Lendon is posing some important questions regarding the role of traditional artefacts and the valuing of such hand made craft once it has reached its destination in the west.

Nigel Lendon

Carpet Wars by Christopher Kremmer

The Carpet Wars by Christopher Kremmer by Harper Collins Sydney 2002

Juliette Peers

Tasmania as Haven

Despite its troubled history, Tasmania has managed to offer quiet sanctuary for a remarkable range of peoples, natures and ideas. Much of Tasmania's political muscle has been exercised around environmental issues, backed by world heritage listing. Artists in the Haven exhibition which toured in 2003-4 each chose a biographical subject that dramatised the utopian appeal of Tasmania. Artists included Pip McManus, Geoff Parr, Patrick Collins, Anna Phillips, Jennifer Brook, Penny Carey Wells, John Vella, Helena Psotova and Judith-Rose Thomas. Each of these artists created works as tributes to various historical figures and all contain within them the thin glimmer of hope that beckons the darkened mainland above.

Kevin Murray

Fiona Lee: Hard Copies

Fiona Lee Hard Copies FOYeR Installation Space, Salamanca Place Hobart 14 - 29 November 2002

Sean Kelly

Afghanistan Unveiled: Four refugee artists from Afghanistan

Afghanistan Unveiled was an exhibition in South Australia of paintings and drawings by four refugees from Afghanistan: Ali Reza Ramzi from Western Australia, Ghulam Sakhi Hazara from Queensland, Sayed Mansoor from South Australia and Shafiq Monis from New South Wales. All of these artists have recently lived in detention and one is still in detention. The artists use art as a way to depict their lives under the Taliban regime, their flight to Australia and their experiences in Australia. The exhibition received television, radio and newspaper coverage, both locally and nationally and over 200 people attended the opening with many more viewing the exhibition over the following two weeks.

Angelika Tyrone and Helena Stewart

Anthony Gormley: Inside Australia

Anthony Gormley: Inside Australia Lake Ballard WA January - March Perth International Arts Festival

Andrew Nicholls

Value Added Goods: ed Stuart Koop

Value Added Goods: Essays on Contemporary Photography, Art & Ideas edited by Stuart Koop, Melbourne 2002, Centre for Contemporary Photography) ISBN 9780957748828 Contributors: Annamarie Jagose, Helen Grace, Catriona Moore, Rex Butler and Keith Broadfoot, Chris McCauliffe, Adrian Martin, Vivien Johnson, Paul Carter, Douglas Kahn, Catherine Lumby, Elizabeth Grosz, Peter Kemp, Edward Colless, Brian Massumi, William D. Routt, Geoffrey Batchen, Ross Gibson, Judy Annear, Scott McQuire.

Martin Thomas

The Coalition of the Unwilling

Stephanie Britton

Artrave

Artlink

William Yang: Miscellaneous Obsessions

William Yang miscellaneous obsessions Stills Paddington, Sydney 16 October - 16November 2002

Joanna Mendelssohn

View all articles in this issue