The Substation/ Terre Thaemlitz/ Sophisticated Boom Boom/
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Originally a multi-page photo collage published in the Swiss art publication Toit du Monde, edited by Sigismond de Vajay. It was produced by Terre Thaemlitz shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US by Al-Quaeda. The piece centres around a strategically folksy quote by then President and war criminal G.W. Bush, “I remember an old poster out west, Wanted Dead or Alive.” It includes various types of media images used at the time.
Thaemlitz was a young child during the Vietnam War, and was deeply affected by watching gruesome ground-zero journalist footage on the nightly television news – footage which proved vital to fueling anti-war sentiments and protests among the US public. As a result, the US government and military industrial contractors took note of the power of a free press, giving rise to today’s corporate journalism. By the 1980s press images of US military attacks were restricted to the iconic grainy video footage from fighter planes dropping bombs on anonymous architecture, “shock and awe” footage that resembled fireworks in the distance, and humanitarian portraiture. The propaganda leading up to the illegal invasion of Iraq is summarised by the sleazy sales pitch, “Sophisticated Boom Boom.” The rhythms of propaganda and censorship beat on.
Curated by Lawrence English. Presented by The Substation.
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Reframed Positions
Suspended due to COVID since March 2020, The Substation is pleased to reopen the most comprehensive exhibition to date of video, multimedia and visual works by award-winning multimedia artist, writer, public speaker, educator and record label boss Terre Thaemlitz. Her uncompromising, confronting and intellectually ignited work takes a critical look at identity politics, working through issues of gender, sexuality, class, and ethnicity while also digging into the structural dynamics of media production and reception within society.
This is the first time all videos have been installed in one location. For those only familiar with his deep house alias DJ Sprinkles, it is a once in a lifetime chance to engage with the breadth of her uncategorical production activities. Prepare to spend the day.
OPENING NIGHT
Join us for complementary drinks and hors d'oeuvres to celebrate the reopening of Reframed Positions and Sophisticated Boom Boom from 6pm–8pm, Thursday 18 August 2022. All welcome!
Reframed Positions
Award-winning multimedia artist, writer, public speaker, educator and record label boss Terre Thaemlitz took over The Substation as part of AsiaTOPA 2020 with her uncompromising, confronting and intellectually ignited work. Thaemlitz’s ouvre resists easy categorisation, spanning the musical spectrum from deep house to neo-expressionist piano solos, glitch to ambient.
Her practice is a provocative engagement with identity politics, working through issues of gender, sexuality, class, and ethnicity while also digging into the structural dynamics of media production and reception within society
Talk
Lovebomb
Award-winning multimedia artist, writer, public speaker, educator and record label boss Terre Thaemlitz takes over The Substation with her uncompromising, confronting and intellectually ignited work.
Thaemlitz's oeuvre resists easy categorisation, spanning the musical spectrum from deep house to neo-expressionist piano solos, glitch to ambient. Her practice is a provocative engagement with identity politics, working through issues of gender, sexuality, class and ethnicity while also digging into the structural dynamics of media production and reception within society.
Lovebomb is an analysis of love as a cultural mechanism that enables otherwise unacceptable acts of violence, as demonstrated by domestic violence, a terrorist's love for her cause and America's vengeful love of freedom. Digitally processed spoken word samples narrate various scenarios of global violence. Sharp video edits of animation, collage and found footage add new layers of depth and dark humour to the "Lovebomb" audio project.
Presented by The Substation in association with Room40 as part of Asia TOPA.
Restricted to 18+: This performance features adult concepts, nudity, surgical images and materials that would not be suitable for young audience members.
Talk
Soulnessless: Cantos I-IVAward-winning multimedia artist, writer, public speaker, educator and record label boss Terre Thaemlitz takes over The Substation with her uncompromising, confronting and intellectually ignited work.
Thaemlitz's oeuvre resists easy categorisation, spanning the musical spectrum from deep house to neo-expressionist piano solos, glitch to ambient. Her practice is a provocative engagement with identity politics, working through issues of gender, sexuality, class and ethnicity while also digging into the structural dynamics of media production and reception within society.
The performance starts with a 5-10 minute slide show, where Thaemlitz explains the scale and format of the Soulnessless project, followed by an 80-minute performance of Cantos I-IV. The evening will conclude with a 30-45 minute Q&A with the audience.
Presented by The Substation in association with Room40 as part of Asia TOPA.
Restricted to 18+: This performance features adult concepts, nudity, surgical images and materials that would not be suitable for young audience members.
