Past imperfect: future tense. The response of art in a time of crisis

Abstract

This essay examines the effects of ‘global terrorism’ in terms of former terrorisms and questions the extent to which contemporary art can offer an appropriate fulcrum for reconsideration of the impact of such regimes on our daily lives. This essay was originally written to accompany an exhibition "Future Tense: Security and Human Rights" that was held at the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University, between 11 and 26 August, 2006. The exhibition coincided with the ARC Asia Pacific Futures Network conference "Towards a Secure Future in the Asia Pacific". The exhibition was curated by Dr. Caroline Turner, ANU, Simon Wright, Director Griffith Artworks and Pat Hoffie. The artists included in the exhibition were Gordon Bennett, Wong Hoy Cheong, Dadang Christanto, Tran Luong, eX de Medici, John Pule, Saira Wasim and Guan Wei.