Jacky Jacky in the Box
By Ilbijerri Theatre
Atrium, Federation Square, Melbourne, 6.30 to 8.30pm, Sep 18, 25, Oct 2, 2008
Reviewer: Kate Herbert on Sept 18, 2008
Stars:****
This theatrical installation is simultaneously disturbing and fascinating. In the public space of Fed Square, three glass, museum display cases house three human specimens: one man and two women. They are young, funky cosmopolitan looking individuals – and they are aboriginal.
They perch on stools inside their boxes, oblivious to our gaze. One woman reads a street magazine, another talks on her mobile while the man sits surrounded by dictionaries and a newspaper article by Andrew Bolt.
A metal plate attached to the cabinet reads “Ab-Origine” and beside each cabinet is an information panel like you would find in a museum. It describes their genus (Homo Sapien), region, tribe, common name (all called Jacky Jacky) and a long genealogy. Such detached, scientific scrutiny and cool abuse of a person is both shocking and moving. This is a work that challenges our very core, our culture and history.
By Kate Herbert
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