Great Expectations

Federation Square, Melbourne. 15-31 May 2008
The theme of the 2008 Next Wave Festival, ‘Closer Together’, refers to the way society is ― for the better or for the worse ― becoming increasingly connected by media and communication technologies. Sceptical of the acclaimed social achievements of new technologies, Boxcopy: Contemporary Art Space, a Brisbane-based artist-run initiative, explores the futility of human activities, including art production and consumption, with a collection of works created by young and emerging Brisbane artists entitled Great Expectations. Part of the Next Wave MEMBRANE Project, Great Expectations draws attention to the parallels between our expectations of art and new technology to make the world a better place.

1. Early machines such as the Commodore 64 were tape-based, and hence had their games distributed on ordinary cassettes 2009 by Tim Kerr & Extra Features 2008 by Tim Woodward

2. Spine 2008, Joseph Briekers

3. Whiteout 2008, Channon Goodwin

4. Explosive Revelations 2008, Daniel McKewen