The complexity of living together

Catalogue essay for the exhibition, Pigeon Auction, held 18 May - 30 June 2013. Pigeon Auction was an exhibition about suburban subcultures held at the Casula Powerhouse. The focus of the exhibiting artists was to look at the variety of subcultures that are often at the core of what appear as homogenous suburbs. Each artist approached a different sub-culture in distinctive ways. While the exhibition explores what lies beneath the surface in our seemingly sleepy suburban streets, the research focussed on the complexity of social relations and what makes contemporary societies function. Building on earlier work associated with the role of art in society (including working with community theatre organisations), the research focussed on challenging perceptions that societies best function when we are surrounded by people 'like us'. Not only did the artists focus on heterogeneity, but the exhibition took place in Casula, one of the most diverse areas in one of the most diverse cities in the world. Working with the artists and curator, the research focussed on the motivation of the works undertaken and how the artists saw their own role in promoting diversity. In the complex process of art making, I attempted to understand the way in which the artist and curator established their vision. Further, was this art for art's sake, or was there a different motivation and meaning making process? Immersing myself within the process of establishing the exhibition, Pigeon Auction was found to be a reflection, celebration and promotion of the region's diversity" a diversity that also connected with the local Aboriginal community.