The Modern and the Contemporary: A conversation with Rex Butler, Tara Heffernan, Darren Jorgensen and Peter Beilharz

In response to the extremely insightful review of the UnAustralian Art book, Rex Butler will speak of the relationship between the "modern" and the "contemporary". He will ask what it might mean to say that the post-national is not a recent phenomenon in art history, but has always been the case. That the "UnAustralian" precedes and makes possible the national or Australian. Equally, what might it mean to suggest that "Aboriginal" art is not a post-contact phenomenon, but is, to quote the title of Stephen Gilchrist's important exhibition at the Fogg Art Museum, "everywhen"? And, more polemically, that we do not have to await some future time when our "double histories" might become one, but this has always been the case. "UnAustralian" art is "Aboriginal" art or the "UnAustralian" is "everywhen" and maybe even "everywhere". This talk comes out of work currently being undertaken with ADS Donaldson.

A panel discussion facilitated by Peter Beilharz with Rex Butler, Darren Jorgensen, and Tara Heffernan will follow Butler's presentation.

Rex Butler teaches Art History in the Faculty of Art Design and Architecture at Monash University and writes on Australian ar

Tara Heffernan is an art historian and critic. Her work concerns modernism and the avant-gardes, conceptual art and the lineage/s of the New Left.

Darren Jorgensen lectures in art history at the University of Western Australia. His most recent book is The Dead C’s Clyma Est Mort.

Peter Beilharz is Professor of Critical Theory at Sichuan University. He is founding editor of Thesis Eleven.

Proceeding the event, guests are invited for an informal book signing at Planet Books, 192 William St, Northbridge WA 6000.

Dispatch Review is proud to present this event free to the public, in partnership with UWA's Institute of Advanced Studies.