Light from Light – REPRISE is a presentation of artworks and documentation from MAAP’s major touring exhibition Light from Light. This event also marks the official launch of the Light from Light publication. Both summarise the exhibition’s tour of five major public institutions in a cross-cultural exploration of artistic opportunities, new partnerships and audiences.
First conceived in 2009, Light from Light involved commissioning eleven artists to create site-specific artworks to be installed in and around the collections and reading areas of public libraries in China and Australia. It first opened at the State Library of Queensland (1/10/2010 – 1/2/2012), and a duplicate exhibition comprising second editions of all artworks was presented simultaneously in China, starting with Shanghai Library (3/11/2010 – 7/2/2011), then National Library of China and National Art Museum of China in Beijing (29/4/2011 – 30/6/2011), and finally, Hangzhou Public Library (14/7/2011 – 18/9/2011).
The exhibition reflects on the multidimensionality light: the physical properties of light, the cultural associations, and light as a metaphor for spirituality and rational thought. Presented here for the first time in a gallery setting, the works are recontextualised to be experienced anew. The display of original artworks against documentation of their time in library environments draws attention to the journey of each work, the various contexts its been seen in, and the different people that have experienced it.
Participating Artists:
Janet Burchill & Jennifer McCamley, Eugene Carchesio, David Haines & Joyce Hinterding, Lin Tianmiao, Pak Sheung Chuen, Archie Moore, Grant Stevens, Josef Strau, Wang Gongxin, Wang Peng, Zhang Peili
Partner Institutions:
State Library of Queensland
Shanghai Library
National Library of China
National Art Museum of China
Hangzhou Public Library
The Light from Light project was an extended collaboration that was generously supported by so many individuals and organisations. It is impossible to list everyone by name and so wish to extend MAAP’s gratitude to all those who helped over the three years of this project.
Sincere thanks to all of the artists for their enthusiastic participation and goodwill. Thanks to the MAAP Board members that offered their guidance and advice: Zane Trow, Angela Reilly, Dave Allen, Paul O’Kane, Jeffrey Sams, Christopher Meakin, Christine Peacock, and Hugo King. Thanks to our collaborators and supporters in China including: Nils Jennrich, Matt Tobin, Elisha Whitchurch, Sam Webber, Dricus De Rooij, Professor Zhang Peili, Mr Wang Yudong, Ma Nan, Sara Zhan and MAAP intern Bai Yuyan. Thanks to our Brisbane project team, collaborators and supporters, including: Tory Jones, Dave Allen, Angela Reilly, Timothy Hill, Beh Wattenberg, Patrick King, Dr Rob Largent, and Brisbane Consul General of PRC Ren Gongping. Thanks to the efforts of staff in DFAT including: Anthony Taylor, Graeme Meehan, Jill Collins, Amanda Barry, Katie Tian, Zhang Naihong, Megan Jones, Alexandra Warnock, Dene Yeaman, Ariane Sainsbury, Li Hongwei and support from the Queensland Trade and Investment Shanghai office, Zhang Zijian, Angela Shi; staff in Arts Queensland: John Stafford, Marika Perrow, Evelyn Golding, the Art + Place program, Robyn Daw, Eliza Tee; Australia Council supporters: Kon Gouriotis, Kate Major, Vanessa Lloyd; the Department of Linguistics Macquarie University; Thanks to Malcolm Nyst for his support of MAAP SPACE; ACMI: Mark Bollenberg. Thanks to our committed and hard-working of volunteers in Brisbane and China, including: Rebecca Finnegan, Melanie Simsun, Caitlin Franzmann, Leena Riethmuller, Melissa Ryke, Annie Kabamba, Huang Songhao and Luo Jinhua. Sincere appreciation to the MAAP key organisational staff, Paul Bai and Madeleine King, for their tireless support and contributions. And finally, all of the library and museum staff acknowledged through the catalogue made significant contributions and without their support this project would never have been possible – thank you.