Week Five. Science and Progress-Tony Oursler.

The 3 large sculptures projection is used to create an whole atmosphere in the gallery. The scripts refer to Water, Dust and Mercury and relates that to the flow of humanity.

For the sculpture "Nix" (Water) Oursler uses environmental references in the personification. The sculpture has a melting appearance and the background creates the illusion of light reflecting off water. "Nix" comes from the mythical 'water spirit' who would tempt people into the water and drown them. The idea comes from the speculation that the myth is about water taking revenge.

Mercury has a starry background. The idea of the sculpture is to emphasise the fixation of self-image in a mirror-like approach.

Dust is hung from the ceiling with projections on the walls behind it. The dust suggests raising smoke. As it rotates, eyes, mouths and legs come in and out of appearance above our heads. This may suggest the environment affects us in all ways, from what we see, what we breathe and where we go.

Week Three. Mercantilism & Fiona Hall.

Mercantilism - belief in the benefits of profitable trading (commercialism).

Mercantilism was quite dominant through the late Renaissance period and early modern period. Was considered the economic ideology for two and a half centuries.

Fiona Halls work 'Tender' has been produced on shredded American one-dollar bills in the shapes of bird nests.. This is highly illegal and would be confiscated if it was in the US. Each note has a serial number which has been written on the glass wall as proof of which notes are actually included in the work.

The American currency is highly desired in Third World countries. This where where the bird nest structure relates to these people being like scavengers (like a bird) to getting hold of the American currency.

How this relates to mercantilism is through the connection of economy.

The work 'Leaf Litter' relates to the importance of money and how most of us wouldn't get by without it. It is "the ultimate symbol of desire" - Fiona Hall. The work also relates to 'money doesn't grow on trees' but in this case, it kind of does. It goes back to the hugh growth of European wealth and power, and the battles that people and plants have all been through.