20th Biennale of Sydney
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| Mella Jaarsma; Dogwalk |
Arranging Sydney with a variety of contemporary art forms, the AGNSW is one of the several identified 'embassies' hosting some internationals and locals. More concerned with their respective culture's vernacular decays, it proves to be an exhibition that is quiet, presented in sombre dark rooms, and is singular and predictable in their expression rather than with a rigour that provokes and engages.
A room of suspended odd cow uniforms linked together in dance formation, otherwise welcome visitors to the exhibition where tradition has met performance art has met a fashion show.
In another room, titled Abstraction of confusion by Japanese artist `Shinoda, plasters all surfaces in cracked clay with a small platform that suspends one in nothing but decayed plastering. Another installation has industrial style tanks with cerebral-ly significant 'exotic' liquids of memory and the like, which extend beyond the glass wall of the gallery space and into the gallery's external court. Poetically, a blue tent seeks protection under the eaves next to this work, with Sydney's homeless' impromptu shelter serendipitously giving the work integrity, among the overly intellectualized.
The exhibition manages to tick the correct balance between local versus international representation. However, where the Biennale should be the major exhibition which exemplifies Australia's relationship and dialogue with the international art world, this opportunity appears to have been lost - needing social and organisational support and rigor to capture the potential value that such exhibitions can bring to all residents of a city - culture where have you gone at this embassy.
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| Spot the tent - works of poignancy |
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