Lumia : Art | light | motion. The Art of Kuuki.

Abstract

The State Library of Queensland is delighted to present Lumia: art/light/motion, a
culmination of many years of collaboration by the Kuuki collective led by Priscilla Bracks
and Gavin Sade. This extraordinary exhibition not only showcases the unique talent of these
Queenslanders, it also opens up a world of future possibilities while re-presenting the past
and present. These contemporary new media installations sit comfortably within the walls
of the library as they are the distinctive products of inquisitive and philosophical minds.
In a sense the exhibition highlights the longevity and purposefulness of a cultural learning
institution, through the non-traditional use of data, information, research and collection
interpretation. The exhibition simultaneously articulates one of our key objectives – to
progress the state’s digital agenda.
Two academic essays have been commissioned for this joint Kuuki and State Library
of Queensland publication. The first is by artist and writer Paul Brown, who has specialised
in art, science and technology since the late 1960s and in computational and generative art
since the mid 1970s. Brown investigates the history of new media, which is celebrating its
60th anniversary, and clearly places Sade and Bracks at the forefront of this genre nationally.
The second essay is by arts writer Linda Carroli, who has delved deeply into the thoughts
and processes of the artists to bring to light the complex workings of the artists’ minds. The
publication also features an interview Carroli conducted with the artists.
This exhibition is playful, informative and contemplative. The audience is invited to play,
and consequently to ponder the way we live and the environmental and social implications
of our choices. The exhibition tempts us to travel deep into the Antarctic, plunge into the
Great Barrier Reef, be swamped by an orchestra of crickets, enter the Charmed world and
travel back in time to a Victorian parlour where you can interact with a ‘new-world’ lyrebird
and consider a brave new world where our only link to the animal world is with robotic
representations.
In essence this exhibition is about ideas and knowledge and what better institution than
the State Library of Queensland to partner such a project?. State Library is committed to
preserving culture, exploring new media and creating new content as a lasting legacy of
Queensland for all Queenslanders.