31/8/2001
When Elephants Paint
ACCA, Melbourne
Komar and Melamid. The Asian Elephant Art and Conservation Project. Arguably, the first abstract canvas ever was painted by a chimpanzee in 1875, twenty or so years before Wassily Kandinsky or Kasmir Malevich. So perhaps it's not surprising that the latest project by controversial ex-pat Russian artists Komar and Melamid, features the work of various elephants from around the world and a series of photographs taken by a chimpanzee called Mikki.
Komar and Melamid
The Asian Elephant Art and Conservation Project
Arguably, the first abstract canvas ever was painted by a chimpanzee in
1875, twenty or so years before Wassily Kandinsky or Kasmir Malevich. So
perhaps it's not surprising that the latest project by controversial ex-pat
Russian artists Komar and Melamid, features the work of various elephants
from around the world and a series of photographs taken by a chimpanzee
called Mikki.
But can animals make art? This is the real question of value to Komar and
Melamid, even though there's a ready market for the paintings and
photographs. Beyond the immediate gimmickry of the project, and like the
best conceptual art, it raises awareness of our own responses to the form
of artistic expression, beauty, intelligence and value. After all, what's
the difference between the elephants at Lampang in Thailand and an abstract
expressionist like Franz Kline? The work was featured at the 1999 Venice
Biennial and is part of an ongoing project to draw attention to the plight
of elephants in Thailand.
Organised and toured by the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney.
Sponsored by Animal Planet. Supported by World Wildlife Fund.
Free Admission: Gallery Hours: Tues-Fri 11am
- 5 pm Sat & Sun - 12pm - 5pm
Australian Centre for Contemporary Art,
Dallas Brooks Drive,
South Yarra Australia 3141,
+613 9654 6422 tel +613 9650 3438 facs