Fishing in a Bathtub: Tormenting Luxury 2007/2008

MIC Toi Rerehiko is pleased to present

Fishing in a Bathtub: Tormenting Luxury 2007/2008, an evocatively titled four chapter multi media video - in - installation work by artists Edwards & Johann. The exhibition opens at 321 Karangahape Road on May 1 and runs until June 20, 2009.

Deploying a mobility of imagination and play Victoria Edwards + Ines Johann don elaborate and alternating costumes, employ minimal props, understated sonic punctuations and willfully disrupt time to engage the unknown within the parameters of set zones.

Both artists share a love of, and live, on the coast of the South Island where all four chapters of the film were shot. They use locations such as the Godley Head coastal defence battery site on Banks Penninsula and the North Canterbury coastline as backdrops for their work.

Johanns and Edwards met in 1998. Since that time they have, through mutual trust and respect, developed a friendship and artistic connection. “The collaboration" said Johann "enables us to use our knowledge and curiosity in a less restrained way". "Play and process combined with research and inquisitiveness direct our work into uncharted territories – together, creating a new energised space of potential and raising interesting questions around authorship and the ‘singular creative genius".

Edwards and Johann both have a long history in tertiary teaching and now work full time on their collaborative practice. Their shared enthusiasm for working within a range of institutional teaching environments which has led them to become Selwyn College Artists in Residence in May.

Alix Coleman, HOD of Art at Selwyn College sees clear benefits for students from the residency. “Firstly, students are going to get to see a fantastic collaborative approach to exploring ideas and concepts in a wide range of visual art media. And most importantly the role modelling from these artists demonstrating an artists working environment is hugely beneficial. We also feel the opportunity to work with a collaborate team models a very contemporary and International practice that is not always so prevalent in New Zealand art making practice”

Victoria Edwards adds “Collaboration was something we almost fell into. Now we are fully immersed, I can’t imagine a time where we might incur communication difficulties. There is still so much potential to play out…and I look forward to our future with anticipation.”

ENDS

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