the fundamental practice - regroup, reorder, restore!

Artspace is proud to be the first and only New Zealand venue to present the New Zealand exhibition in the 51st Venice Biennale, 2005, et al. the fundamental practice, but reworked for its homecoming. Or, rather than a re-presenting of the Venice installation, this exhibition can instead be understood as the next phrase in an ongoing conversation formed by et al. installations, publications, statements, and other interventions.

the fundamental practice – regroup, reorder, restore! continues a process of research and investigation, utilising techniques of procedure and presentation familiar from other ideological systems - scientific, military, political, revolutionary. The installation suggests a control-room for a diabolical plan, performing tests, provoking and alluding to the ideologies we are conditioned by and their structures of delivery. Data from the Venice experience has been collected, considered and assimilated into the project.

et al. is a collective name for a network of artists, identities and collaborators. et al. has exhibited extensively in New Zealand and abroad. In 2004 et al. was the winner of New Zealand’s major art award, the Walters Prize, for restricted access from the Govett-Brewster exhibition.

the fundamental practice 2005 was an initiative of Creative New Zealand, The Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa.