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When?
May 4 - 25, 2011 (Auckland)
March 15 - May 1, 2011 (Wellington)
November 18- 30, 2010 (Sydney)
Where?
Masterworks Gallery, 77 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby, Auckland
The See Here, 12 Constable Street, Newtown, Wellington
Gaffa Gallery, 281 Clarence Street, Sydney CBD
Artists Involved?
Diane Appleby, Zoe Brand, Melissa Cameron, Zara Collins, Kristin D'Agostino, Sharon Fitness, Liana Kabel, Peta Kruger, Bridie Lander, Jasmine Matus, Carrie McDowell, Sunggee Min, Jessica Page, Alice Potter, Sonya Scott, Lauren Simeoni, Sondi, Melinda Young.
What?
Project based exhibition of contemporary jewellery and objects
Exhibition concept and curator? Jasmine Matus.
FEATURE ARTIST - Nadine Smith, Wellington, New Zealand
Rover, object/sculpture, sterling and fine silver, computer, camera and electronic components, model car wheels, powder coated doll, 2010.
Nadine’s recent work playfully manipulates the idea of machines as extensions of our bodies, hinting at the lengths we will go to to preserve our physical being. But it’s a short step from artificial enhancement for practicality to enhancement for vanity - the line between the two is becoming ever more blurred. The views on what’s acceptable are the topic of continuing debate - from the abomination of Frankenstein’s monster to the superbly adapted post-humans of science fiction. As advances in the technology of life support are created new dilemmas will be raised.
The intimate scale of Smith’s sculptural works can make them much less threatening and people young and old are drawn in to look at the pieces closely. Their toy-like smallness and sense of animation reveals both the playful and intense qualities of Smith’s practice and allows the viewer an intimate experience. They are multi-layered, representations of life, and the scale and material is suggestive of the human body as a doll and puppet that can be manipulated.
Smith is interested in creating pieces that suggest the creation of artificial environments to sustain life. To some extent we already live in an age of technological dependency, but what are the limits? Already the line between mechanical and biological has become blurred. By creating an environment that suits us, are we making ourselves incapable of coping with anything else? If our technology fails or turns on us, do we have any defence?
