APT 2002 Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane, Australia : Report

Flying Angels Daily 2 – 3pm Colourful flying angels were produced in likened similarity to the work of Indonesian artist Heri Dono. Heri’s angels are symbols of hope and freedom and their expressions are partly inspired by the popular cartoon character Flash Gordon. Children were encouraged to choose a favourite superhero to inspire their unique angel. TV You Daily 10 – 3pm Gallery 15 This activity further explored the ideas of seeing and looking in Nam June Paik’s TV Buddha 1976. ‘TV Buddha’ proved a popular place for children to see their own image on screen, hence this activity was created to give children a larger space to play. Cameras were hidden in the ceiling and children were prompted to move around each television to try and find their own image in full. I Hear Sea Shells Daily 10 – 3pm Gallery 15 Various types of seashells were sourced encouraging children to imagine they were sailing the oceans surrounding Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Scent Detective Daily 10 – 3pm Gallery 14 The sense of smell was tested with this activity which related directly to the work of Montien Boonma. Fresh herbs and spices used within Boonma’s work was displayed in specially designed boxes so children could try and answer the quiz like questions constructed in order to help identify each smell. Bug Master Film Fest Daily 10 – 3pm Lecture Theatre The moving image was a key component of APT 2002. Favourite childhood films and programs by APT artists were screened such as the early cartoons of Mickey Mouse Animate 1.30 – 3pm Gallery 13 This mini cinema provided children with a taste of young Asia-Pacific and local animations that leant towards the humorous and the surreal. Speak It, Sing It, Dance It Daily 10 – 10.30am Gallery 13 This activity was also provided by Queensland LOTE Centre and catered for a more intimate audience. Suitable for 7- 10yr olds, children were taught (on alternate days): a Japanese song; how to make a Chinese souvenir; how to play an Indonesian instrument. Perlie Shellz’s Pacific Stories Daily 11 – 12 noon Gallery 13 Pasifika Divas’ Siaosi Mulipola presented his Perlie Shellz stage act to a more intimate audience. Beginning with encouraging children to sing a well-known Pacific song, Perlie, Ulalia and Sahlua walked through the exhibition space to tell the story of the popular myths and legends that surrounded the work of Lisa Reihana and Sofia Tekela-Smith. Mirrorama Daily 10 – 3pm Gallery 13 ramp This activity was inspired by the idea of reflection and distortion as seen in the work of Yayoi Kusama and her use of the infinity in ‘Narcissus Garden’ and ‘Soul under the moon’. Templates of various computer generated facial expressions accompanied mirrors that play with distortion, encouraging children to imitate. 140