Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, 1993 : Exhibition report

Volunteer Guides specifically trained for the purpose. Cultural backgrounds to particular works were provided, expanding student understanding and appreciation of displayed works. This option was well received. Numerous adult visitors noted the desirability on their part of being provided with similar information. Popularity of the exhibition and its perceived educational validity can be gauged by the fact that several schools organised repeat visits to the exhibition for students. Excursions from considerable distance also testified to the drawing power of the exhibition. Art teachers from northern New South Wales commented on the unique educational value of the exhibition. Those schools who were able to schedule visits to the exhibition close to the opening period and were able to hear artist talks and/or watch artist performances were particularly impressed. Schools with students studying languages and cultures of China, Japan or Indonesia took advantage of the exhibition as a unique learning laboratory. Evaluation forms distributed to a random selection of schools elicited favourable responses to the exhibition. Teachers indicated students found the exhibition 'exciting’ and ‘challenging’. All respondents conceded that ‘student knowledge of contemporary art in exhibiting countries was virtually an unknown element’. Students and teachers found the catalogue ‘worthwhile’ and didactic panels and the introductory video ‘of assistance in interpreting displayed works’. One respondent commented: "We used this excursion as a culminating activity to studying multiculturalism. Guides were very informative and all agreed that their delivery was excellent". Another school noted the fact, that the exhibition provided an excellent introduction to social/political background as well as art/culture. Responses were received from teachers at State primary schools, State secondary schools and independent schools. On-going commitments: In response to requests from schools and tertiary education institutions, slide sets recording aspects of the Triennial are in production. Works exhibited in the Triennial which have been purchased as the basis of the Kenneth and Yasuko Myer Memorial Collection of Contemporary Asian Art will be documented in the Myer Collection Resource Package in two formats: as a documentary video production using extensive locational contextualising footage (through agreement with the ABC unable to be incorporated in the ABC Documentary of the shadows) and as a production accessible through computer terminals at the Gallery. The Student Resource Kit produced in collaboration with the Department of Education, Queensland, will guide the production of more specific information sheets and activity sheets illustrated with appropriate slides which will be available as loan packages from the Education Section, Queensland Art Gallery.