Informed by emergent contemporary relationships between ideas of magic, mysticism, cultural ritual, and art making, NETHERWORLDS reflects on theories of early performance as invocational ritual, and prehistoric art as sympathetic magic (first proposed by ethnographer Richard Andree). Drawing on ideas of communitas, perceived and actual power, and the exoticised ‘other’, NETHERWORLDS foregrounds contemporary perspectives on the crafting of safe space and the empowerment of diverse artists through ritual and talisman on creative contexts.
Driven by a commitment to reinvention and reinvigoration, with new and recurring works in shifting formations, NETHERWORLDS unfolded as four exhibition iterations over two years. This documentation is from the last; a one night event in Brisbane's historic Spring Hill Reservoir with new performances and installations by the artists that invoke a pantheon of queer, femme, and diverse powers and possibilities.
NETHERWORLDS
With work by Chantal Fraser, Anastasia Booth, Caitlin Franzmann, Blake Lawrence, Naomi Blacklock and Clay Kerrigan
Curated by McCarthy Swann Projects (Amy-Clare McCarthy and Kieran Swann)
Spring Hill Reservoir, Brisbane, 9 June 2018
This project was presented with the support of the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.
