Exposition

Field Theory, 2014

Throughout 2013 Field Theory members Jason Maling and Lara Thoms became expo tourists. They roamed from one Melbourne exhibition to another, deep-diving into niche subcultures, industries, and obsessions. From psychic fairs to muscle cars they gathered stories, people and many showbags - immersing themselves in the rituals of representation that make expos such rich social theatres.

Out of this genre-hopping research came Exposition - a meta-expo within the 2014 Melbourne Art Fair. Representatives from six different expos previously held in the Royal Exhibition Building returned to re-stage their booths in the same space, this time for the art world.

Ambassadors from the worlds of tattooing, cosplaying, psychic analysis, free-form knitting, muscle cars, and French antiques came together to form a gloriously mismatched community—equal parts spectacle, sincerity, and social experiment.

Team:

Lead artists and hosts – Jason Maling and Lara Thoms

Stall holders: Tony Venios (antiques), Prudence Mapstone (free-form knitting), Mat Rogers (tattooing), Astroscan 2000/Mark Silver (mind, body, spirit) Fred Briggs (Muscle car illustration), Anita Gurrieri (Cosplay).

Exposition was presented as part of Site is Set curated by Field Theory, and Social Capital curated by Jacqueline Doughty.

Photography - Bryony Jackson