Justice Precinct

Image: Carolyn McKay

As part of my preliminary research, I spent this morning at the NSW Parole Authority in the Justice Precinct. I went there to observe video link appearances of inmates - to see firsthand how the video conferencing system works and how it looks in courtrooms. A whole new world was revealed as men appeared from correctional centres across NSW, their image multiplied on the many courtroom screens. I have filled my notebook with observations that will inform my draft ethics application, and give me more content to contemplate.

Taking the Oath

Still images from my digital video currently being projected onto the walls of the Women's Cell @ The Lock-Up Cultural Centre, Newcastle, as part of the group show 'I WAS HERE'.

http://www.thelockup.info/

http://www.visitnewcastle.com.au/accom_result1/the-lockup-museum-education-centre/

Where?
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=90+Hunter+St,+Newcastle&sll=-32.926357,151.78122&sspn=0.03278,0.037422&g=Newcastle,+NSW&ie=UTF8&ll=-32.925653,151.783891&spn=0.008195,0.009356&z=16&iwloc=addr

LOCK-UP EXHIBITION

I Was Here

The Lock-Up Cultural Centre

http://www.thelockup.info/

25 November - 11 December 2011

I’ll be exhibiting a video work in this group show:

“This exhibition celebrates the enormous contribution made to the Lock-Up Cultural Centre by the Artist-in-Residence Program. In the past five years, over 65 creative practitioners: artists, dancers, musicians, writers, poets and architects have resided in the AIR residence and responded to the unique environment of The Lock-Up. They have contributed greatly to the enrichment of the Newcastle arts community, through exhibitions, lectures, workshops and performances.”

It's always great to exhibit my work in The Lock-Up which was a police station in Newcastle from 1861-1982.

Violence Studies

http://www.newcastle.edu.au/institute/humanities-research/historyofviolence/ViolenceStudiesConference2012.html

Next year, the University of Newcastle is hosting its inaugural Violence Studies conference. According to the website, they are calling for papers (due 1 May 2012) from a wide range of academics including anthropology, art, history, international relations, law, literature, psychology, philosophy, political science and sociology.

Specific themes may include, but are not limited to:

• Concepts of violence
• Representations of violence (in art, literature, and film)
• Ritual group violence
• Political violence and terrorism
• Violence and liberation
• Violence and sexuality and sexual politics
• Violence and gender roles
• Domestic service and violence
• The history of interpersonal violence
• Atrocities of war (including the collection of body parts and war trophies)
• The language of violence
• Race, class, civil rights and violence
• Collective violence
• Vengeance
• Religion and violence
• Violence against civilians (war/colonization)
• Traumatism

Facing Forwardhttp://www.facingforward.nl/

http://www.facingforward.nl/

FACING FORWARD
Art & Theory from a Future Perspective
Lecture series 
December 2011–April 2012 

Oude Lutherse Kerk
Spui 411 (corner Spui)
Amsterdam


This lecture series considers horizons of the unknown, the discourse of the future and asks "What does it mean to look forward, to speculate, to extrapolate? Is it possible to develop a vision of the future outside these well-worn paths of utopia and dystopia?" 
A publication is forthcoming as well:
Facing Forward: Art & Theory from a Future Perspective

Forensics

I must track down a copy of Cabinet and the next issue with a special Forensics section:

Politics of CCTV: trajectory and directions

Image: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed-circuit_television

On Monday 14 November 2011, a (free) seminar concerning CCTV and it's ubiquitous role in our everyday lives is being held at Sydney Law School. Keynote speaker is Dr Gavin Smith of Sydney University's Surveillance of Everyday Research Group (http://surveillanceandeveryday.com/)

For more information and registration, check out:
http://sydney.edu.au/news/law/457.html?eventcategoryid=35&eventid=8363

Arts in Society Conference 2012

How exciting - an overseas conference looms!
I've had an abstract "Visualising the Posthuman Courtroom" accepted for the Seventh International Conference on the Arts in Society to be held at Liverpool John Moores University, UK.
A couple of other 'buddies' have also had their abstracts accepted so looking forward to a strong contingent of antipodeans.

http://artsinsociety.com/conference-2012/

Anakhronismos

Following on from my last post, I'm putting together a video screening at Bondi Pavilion 27 January 2012 and I'm calling it: 

αναχρονισμός Anakhronismos ΑΝΑΧΡΟΝΙΣΜΟΣ

meaning backward + time.

Video Shoot

Last Friday I had a short and successful video shoot with actor, Barry Shepherd being a judge delivering fictitious convictions and sentences for me. With my very minimal direction, Barry instantly began delivering his lines in a most judicial manner and we got through in one take!

Here are a few HD video stills:

This digital video will form part of another shoot I'm undertaking in December in a disused courthouse. The final work will be 'premiered' in the Anakhronismos screening that I'm curating in January 2012 at Bondi Pavilion.