- Nice to see Wells Tao's "The Benificiary's Office" get included in Mark Amery and Megan Dunn's list of the best New Zealand artworks of the decade. Wells paid a heavy price for doing this piece while opening up the space for a conversation that the country wasn't quite prepared to have. The punitive response was unbecoming of a democratic country that claims to value free speech. But great to see it having lasting resonance. I wrote a short article about the work for the 12th issue of White Fungus which was later republished by The Big Idea. Could have written more but was tied up with a bunch of other stuff at the time. But New Zealand and the world could use more of this kind of bold work. Contemporary art has become much too safe and sadly irrelevant to the point where, in my mind, "contemporary" has become almost a pejorative term. For those who share this jaded view of contemporary art and culture in general, "The Benificiary's Office is worth revisiting. Below is the link to the brief article I wrote. You can also read about it in Chris Kraus' most recent book "Social Practices". Also, there's no image included in this best-of list, but the photograph of Wells posing as Lenin that was published in the The Dominion Post is priceless. https://www.thebigidea.nz/…/113298-dissolving-work-into-playthespinoff.co.nzWe get a handle on the artists and artworks that shaped this decade in…We get a handle on the artists and artworks that shaped this decade in Aotearoa. As 2019 draws to a close, the four nominees for this year's Turner Prize subverted the competition – they asked to receive the award as a collective. Meanwhile, at Art Basel Miami Beach, a banana taped to the wall so
- White Fungus ha ha, give it another 20 years and maybe we'll catch up to the 1970s. I don't usually pay attention to these lists and didn't to this one until catching wind of your inclusion, but credit to Mark and Megan for creating a crack in the tight structure. …See More
- Mark Amery It was in date order that was 2010. Also the image was originally included but probs removed for Boring copyright issues
- White Fungus Cheers Mark and great you did originally include the image. It's a strong photograph. Shame about the copyright issue. Wasn't meaning to give you a hard time over it. Was surprised and impressed that you included the work on the list.
- Sohn Yu Sehmin I'm not surprised the work was included actually. I think it definitely deserves it and Mark and Megan would be the people to know that too. I like that it was in 2010 too. 10 years ago! Straight after I got released from the military and returned to A…See More
- Stacy Lipp Giovanni Tiso also wrote a strong piece about it. It's definitely deserving. I was surprised because these things are usually overlooked. But kudos to Mark and Megan for extending the usual scope. Seasons greetings to you too Sohn Yu Sehmin.
- Sohn Yu Sehmin Stacy Lipp You are right about that. Yeah true it is certainly surprising in that aspect for sure. Same to you! Oh I wanna read Giovanni Tiso's piece too. Let's catch up soon for a call R.H! Cheers!
- White Fungus sounds good. Let's definitely have a chat. It's been a long while.
- Sohn Yu Sehmin White Fungus it certainly has. due for one definitely. sounds good. will be in touch. i would like that.
- White Fungus Great, send me a message when you're free and let's make a time. If you're in Berlin probably morning your time would be best.
- Sohn Yu Sehmin I like that idea. Will send a message to you one of these days to propose one of the following morning(your late afternoon) time kind of arrangement. ;)
- Stacy Lipp Wells Tao our pleasure
- Roger Boyce Well deserved inclusion Wells Tao.
lettingspace.org.nz
www.lettingspace.org.nz - Essay The Beneficiary's Office
www.lettingspace.org.nz - Essay The Beneficiary's Office
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