TALKING PICTURES

I wasn’t sure what to expect on walking into Talking Pictures. The possible responses to theme seemed endless. Having taken a wander through the expansive space, however, I wasn’t disappointed. There is indeed an array of interpretations; silent movies, road movies, carbon copies. By far the most interesting work was from Fitts & Holderness, whose three pieces revolved around and recreated scenes from missing persons cases. These sit on the border of what is constituted as art, instead resembling a morbid archive or a family history. Academic papers, old photographs, interviews with relatives, and expert opinions are all on display, pictures literally speaking to us, and yet unable to provide any answers as to where these vanished people have gone. Talking Pictures is challenging, exploratory and well worth a look. There is also a related film program, featuring Chronique D’un Ete, Blowup, Two-Lane Blacktop and Robinson in Space – check the website for more information.

Until May 22, Artspace, 43-51 Cowper Wharf Rd, Woollomooloo, 9356 0555, artspace.org.au