Reading Room

RESEARCH BACKGROUND: 'Reading Room' consisted of an interior installation and public program of readings exhibited at Gertrude Contemporary art space. Readings were curated from a selection of local arts publishers and artists. The installation involved the reforming of an artwork by leading Melbourne artist Stephen Bram to produce a dynamic space of shifting architectural relations. The work also has a permanent web presence documenting the public events - http://www.theoryofrainbows.com/readingroom/ RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION: 'Reading Room' explored the production of interior atmospheres in response to specific texts. In doing this the work examined how environmental qualities affect the formation of audience, performer and text. The resulting work presents a complex articulation of spatial and social relations given through both architectural and performance events. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE: 'Reading Room' was curated by Tara McDowell, Monash University's inaugural Associate Professor and Director of Curatorial Practice Program. 'Reading Room' was part of the Octopus 14 exhibition 'Nothing Besides Remains'. The exhibiton was supported by the Besen Family Foundation and the Consultate General of the United States, Melbourne. Gertrude Contemporary is funded the State Government via Arts Victoria and the Federal Government via the Australia Council for the Arts. 'Reading Room' was was exhibited alongside works by notable local and international artists including Susan Jacobs (Aus), Nick Mangan (Aus), Tony Birch (Aus), Fred Sandback (USA) and Zarouhie Abdalian (USA). 'Nothing Besides Remains' was accompanied by an extensive catalogue and was reviewed in Frieze magazine. Frieze, which has offices in New York, London and Berlin, is the world's leading magazine of contemporary art and culture. See Rebecca Coates, 'Octopus 14' Freize Nov-Dec 2014, p. 163.