WHEN : 13th Sep – 11th Oct
WHERE : IMA@KSUBI : Shop 2/30 James St, Fortitude Valley
A recent quitter, Auckland artist Steve Carr presents three videos about the allure of cigarettes, childhood, and dubious parenting techniques.
Smoke Train, a young mother entertains her daughter by modifying a cigarette pack so it can be used to puff out smoke. We are drawn to this nostalgic, loving scene (Carr’s mother showed him the trick when he was a child). However, smoking around children has become a social taboo, and there is something disturbing about the way the woman inducts her toddler into the fatal habit.
Cigarette Tree, the plastic wrapping from a cigarette pack is drawn above the box, and lined with paper-ends. As the ends are lit, the smoke released curls inwards, ensconcing the wrapping in wreaths of fog. Gradually, the wrapping collapses inwards, until it resembles an outwardly beautiful, smoky gravesite.
Annabel, one of Carr’s students, attempts (unsuccessfully) to smoke a whole pack of cigarettes in one sitting, like a naughty child caught smoking who is made to smoke the rest of the packet as punishment. Steve Carr is represented by Michael Lett Gallery, Auckland, and Kalimanrawlins, Melbourne.
Image : Steve Carr, Annabel (2007)
