Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, 1993 : Exhibition report

PROMOTIONS The promotions campaign for the Asia-Pacific Triennial was the most complex and diverse ever undertaken by the Queensland Art Gallery. The Triennial ultimately achieved a profile in Australia and internationally, and particularly in the Asia Pacific region, that is unprecedented in the visual arts, particularly for a contemporary art event. The exhibition continues to be referred to in the media as one of the most important events in the visual arts ever to take place in Australia. The campaign targeted a wide range of diverse audiences: Australian and international arts communities and arts media; national and international general media, and general public; ethnic communities; embassies, consulates and posts in the region. Campaign activities began as early as 1991 when the Triennial was first announced. A steady build-up of momentum of the campaign occurred from that time. National Media Announcement The National Media Announcement of the artists to be represented in the Triennial was made by the Premier of Queensland, The Hon. Wayne Goss, MLA, at a function at the Gallery on 4 December 1992. This announcement was broadcast by video conference to a function at the offices of the Australia Council in Sydney, and was also made simultaneously at Asialink in Melbourne by Alison Carroll and at the Canberra School of Art by David Williams. The media release which was distributed was a joint statement by Mr Goss and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Senator The Hon. Gareth Evans. Much publicity resulted nationally and internationally. The announcement established the Triennial as a most significant event for Australia. Mr Max Bourke, General Manager of the Australia Council, announced at the National Media Announcement that the Australia Council was providing $150 000 for the Asia- Pacific Triennial in addition to the previous developmental grant of $60 000. This was one of the biggest grants ever made by the Visual Arts/Craft Board to a single organisation. Collection of Contemporary Asian Art Mr' Michael Myer announced at the media preview that he, together with his wife Ann, and The Myer Foundation would each contribute $150 000 for acquisitions from the Triennial. These contributions have enabled the Gallery to launch a collection of contemporary Asian art. The collection has been named The Kenneth and Yasuko Myer Collection of Contemporary Asian Art. Bulletin The Asia-Pacific Triennial Bulletin (continuing publication), published in six languages, including English, Thai, Bahasa Indonesian, Japanese, Korean and Chinese, proved to be an invaluable promotion and information tool, guaranteeing international exposure for the event. Please refer to ‘Publications’ for further details on the bulletin, 's. Advertising A comprehensive local, national and international advertising campaign was implemented, with particular emphasis on contemporary art publications. The campaign evolved in several stages, aimed at specific audiences - advance international and national notification of exhibition, conference and catalogue advertisements in international and national magazines; metropolitan exhibition and festival advertisements; tourism