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SAFE, 2017
Video/Fabric installation
HD Video loop 4 min 9 sec
Kelly's Garden, Salamanca Arts Centre
In SAFE the burkini acquires a heightened level of visibility, juxtaposed to its controversial reception in contemporary Australian society. The swimwear designed for Muslim women has been the subject of much controversy, spurred by notions of cultural difference and safety in times of terror. In France, for example, the burkini is banned from several beaches, with politicians from all major political parties supporting and encouraging the expansion of the ban. In a visceral installation activated at night, SAFE presents a tableau of women in hi-vis burkinis spotted around the garden, as though it were an everyday beach.
Safe is an installation in two parts. During the day (from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm) silhouettes are covered in cloth, marking a presence and absence. The viewer is invited to explore the work inside Kelly's Garden. After dark (until midnight), projections animate women 'caught-in-the-act' or sunbathing in defiance. The viewer catches glimpses through the gate or observes above the work on Kelly's Steps. In all there is a sense of hauntedness, disillusionment and absurdity.
Acknowledgements
Frances Butler, Akin Sevinc, Ken Simpson, Gus Boke