9 Nov -3 Dec 1995

IMPRIMATUR Cecelia Cmielewski
THE PATH OF THE ACCIDENT Bronia Iwanczak
ELECTIVE PHYSIOGNOMIES John Tonkin

These three linked shows - in a grouping proposed by the artists themselves - centred on questions of identity and construction. Iwanczak and Cmielewski focusing on questions of memory and culture in the development of an Australian/Polish identity, whilst John Tonkin re-modelled his appearance through a series of morphs, in a work that not only explored computer technologies but ideas of desire and sexuality. All used or referenced technologies in the production and presentation of the work. Cecelia Cmielewski presented a video footage of St Petersburg and Talin on two monitors, as well as film footage of the artist dressing herself in Polish national costume and dancing, viewed by means of a hand-cranked film editing bench, locating the technology as a metaphor of memory and literally engaging the viewer. Iwanczak erected columns of earth, wheat and blue air (sky) through which the spectator had to walk to view footage on small monitors dotted on the walls, carrying hard to see images of Warsaw, and other cities. John Tonkin linked his use of the computer to developments in a critique of genetic science and engineering and by extension to 'discovery' of the genes 'responsible' for gay and criminal people. A critique of such deterministic modellings was engendered through an interactive computer installation and the images of his changed face on the wall linking to the discredited 'science' of physiognomy.