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Northern News:

Refreshing video art - Reel Random at Outpost Hokianga

How refreshing to see a video installation presenting 'observations on the art of life' by six New Zealand female artists where the viewer doesn't have to sit and observe and endure at length the agonies of the artist's 'baggage.'

This series of nine videos takes a provocative, humorous, tongue-in-cheek, erotic, surreal but always poignant look at the artist's chosen observations. From observing the path of a drop of water to an older woman who auditions for the perfect man from a bed in a public thoroughfare to a young girl wearing an irridescent bathing suit playing out her desire for a swimming pool in the dry landscape of Central Otago, these short works (between two and nine minutes each) kept me intrigued, amused and entertained.

At no time did I feel depressed, confused, wanting to question the artist as to what the hell I was watching, or wanting to bite someone, which is how I feel when watching most contemporary video art.

I recommend heading for the Hokianga to see this exhibition and as a bonus there are two wonderful works on show by Philippa Blair dating back to 1987, part of her 'Heart' series, complemented by compelling paintings by Barbara Strathdee and glorious flax weavings by Dorothy MacKinnon.

Mike Nettmann: 16 January 2008