Radical Acts

BACKGROUND 'Radical Acts' contributes to the broad field of video art and the narrow field of artworks that use humour and satire for political critique. The peer community includes Pilvi Takala and Kasia Fudakowski. Key characteristics of this scholarly debate include the use of humour and absurdity to expose mythologies of endless growth. Recent influential projects include Kasia Fudakowski’s project ‘Word count’ (2016-). This works extends this field by using corporate stock footage to tell a tale about climate change, corporate greed, political hypocrisy and civil disobedience. CONTRIBUTION 'Radical Acts' was commissioned by Buxton Contemporary as part of an expanded digital program during Covid-19. The work responds to government inaction around the climate crisis, as well as related themes of corporate greed. The work addressed the question: How can stock footage be used to tell an engaging story about climate inaction and extractive culture? Stock footage clips, a professional voice over and musical soundtrack were combined to explore this premise. 'Radical Acts' investigates how storytelling and satire can be used to address political concerns. SIGNIFICANCE Buxton Contemporary commissioned six Australian artists to create new works during Covid-19. These were digitally launched and will be exhibited at the museum in February 2021. Radical Acts was reviewed in the Age newspaper, Sydney Morning Herald, Art Guide and Art Monthly Australasia. Dr Kosloff was interviewed about the work on RRR radio, Radio Vision Australia and the ABC television program ‘The Mix’. Other artists included in the commission were Destiny Deacon, Nicholas Mangan and Taloi Havini. In 2023, this work was shown as a trilogy of films at Melbourne NOW exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia.