What was the first idea of the work, and how did it develop to what the idea is now? Identify the main themes and how do you communicate them?   

 

We first examined the Australian Government’s ongoing harsh treatment of refugees and asylum seekers, especially our policies of offshore processing and immigration detention. We explored visual art installation with projection, but found our resources and knowledge bases lacking to give justice to this concept. Further development explored digitising the physical installation space, with virtual booths showcasing three films highlighting different facets of privilege. After weeks of iteration, Indefinite focused on the strongest of these three concepts: performers in hazmat suits interacting with toilet paper. As we continued to workshop the idea and began playing with bodies in the space, it was clear we could deliver strong images to the audience with this concept.  

 

Why is this work important? And does it comment of any socio-economic issues? Explain the reasoning behind picking this idea and developing it further.  

 

It is important for artists and audiences to be critical of our behaviours and practices. Indefinite invites its viewer to reflect on their assumptions of human rights and lifestyle necessities for people in Australia. For example, the number of days required for quarantine for COVID-19 in Australia is 14 (Australian Government Department of Health, September 2020 ), while the average number of days spent in Australia’s immigration detention is 564 (Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, August 2020).  

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References

Australian Government Department of Health, (2020). Quarantine for coronavirus (COVID-19). Retrieved October 27, 2020, from https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/how-to-protect-yourself-and-others-from-coronavirus-covid-19/quarantine-for-coronavirus-covid-19  

 

Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. (2020). Immigration Detention and Community Statistics Summary. https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/research-and-statistics/statistics/visa-statistics/live/immigration-detention