ANNOUNCING: Liquid Architecture and Channels form a coalition with a mandate to party on September 26 at a summit at Schoolhouse Studios.

ENTERTAINMENT AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS COOPERATION COMMITTEE
Estimates SATURDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 2015, 8:00pm-Midnight
BY AUTHORITY OF THE SENATE

Members in attendance:

MEMBERS FOR LIQUID ARCHITECTURE
The Hon Jennifer Walshe (Ireland), Milker Corporation, Central Authority
Mr Basic House (United Kingdom), Opal Tapes, Director-General
Sir Thomas William Smith (Australia), Strategic Policy and Coordination Group

MEMBERS FOR CHANNELS FESTIVAL
Mayor Kate Geck (Australia) Future Visions and Communication
The Hon. Zoe Scoglio (Australia) Temporary Ambassador of Deep-Time
Sarah Byrne, AO (Australia) Cultural Prosperity Division
Siying Zhou and Steven Rhall (Australia) Ministry for Natural Endowment
David Brazier and Kelda Free (Australia) National Border Consultants
Dr. Daniel McKewen (Australia) Economic Affairs
Lady Sabina Maselli, Judith Hamann and Adele Wilkes (Australia) Ministry for Interior-Exterior Relations

LIQUID ARCHITECTURE EXECUTIVE
Lord Joel Stern (Australia), Liquid Architecture, National Emergency Management
Princess Danni Zuvela (Australia), Liquid Architecture, Special Advisor to the President
Dame Anabelle Lacroix (France/Australia), Liquid Architecture, Transnational Cooperation

CHANNELS FESTIVAL EXECUTIVE
Lady Nikki Lam (Australia) Director, National Policy and Capability
Professor Anita Spooner (Australia) Executive Director Operations
Dr Melissa Edwards (Australia) Crisis Coordination

Outcome 1 — A deliberation on the existence of video and/or sound art as legitimately extant modalities for contemporary art-making/partying

Outcome 2 — A deliberation on the feasibility of such, with regard to the generation of a united cooperation in the form of a jointly-operated event (hereafter, “The Party”).

ACTING CHAIR: I will call the committee to order and I will call on Lord Stern to make an opening statement.

Senator Joel Stern: Yes. With reference to Outcome 1 –

CHAIR: That would be, “Outcome 1 — A deliberation on the existence of video and/or sound art as legitimately extant modalities for contemporary art-making/partying”,correct?

Senator JOEL STERN: Yes. We wish to question the existence of so-called “video art” in contemporary art.

CHAIR: Channels, you have been made aware of this enquiry on notice – do you have a response?

Senator ANITA SPOONER: Yes, we do. We wish to respond with a comment of our own which is that we would question the existence of so-called “sound art”. Or, actually, whether or not that term isn’t, in common parlance, a bit “meh”.

CHAIR: It would appear that this chamber may need to adjourn to consider these mutually inclusive inquiries.

Proceedings suspended from 09:06 until 09:26 [Discussion of medium specificity]

CHAIR: As both parties have agreed to disagree, it would appear that what is required is a feasibility study to determine the a) existence and b) viability of each art form. Does either organisation have a suggestion for how this study may be undertaken?

Senator DANNI ZUVELA: With respect to that, we would like to propose spectators be offered the chance to address this issue themselves in a suitable environment to make the determination; i.e. at a gig.

CHAIR: A what?

Senator ANABELLE LACROIX: A party!

Senator NIKKI LAM: We would like to propose a gig. Channels will demonstrate the feasibility and existence of video art at an event featuring music, dancing and general partying.

Senator JOEL STERN: That sounds more like sound art than video art.

Senator MELISSA EDWARDS: Except that we propose spectators are actually having a good time.

Senator DANNI ZUVELA: LA’s gig will feature artists interacting with video projections.

Senator ANITA SPOONER: That sounds more like video art to me, sorry.

Senator JOEL STERN: We would like to draw the chamber’s attention to our members – Jenny Walshe, Basic House and Tom Smith – who will put these queries to rest.

CHAIR: From this edifying exchange it is obvious to this chamber that in order to achieve Outcome 1, both parties will need to undertake a feasibility study into each other’s artform in the form of a jointly-operated warehouse party, featuring BOTH musical and video performance, BOTH live sound and installed video, and demonstrating – or disputing – the existence of BOTH sound art AND video art. Following the agenda, we will start with outcome 2, ‘united cooperation in the form of a jointly-operated event, known as the “Two Party State”).’. Deputy Chair, do you want to start off?

Senator ANABELLE LACROIX: Merci, Chair. There is an administrative issue that we have discussed, and I would be interested in the department or the minister’s views. I have sought that in future estimates we commence with the department proper and cross-portfolio matters rather than commencing with arts and then agencies. I understand that there has been a historical position on this committee that agencies appear first so that they have a bit more certainty about their timing. My own view, for what it is worth, is that I do not think that necessarily warrants waiting so long before we get to cross-portfolio-type matters—I think on the previous occasion it was not until about 9.15 pm. Is there a particular view on that point that you would like to represent?

Senator JOEL STERN: Anabelle, I think you are looking at the wrong document.

Senator ANABELLE LACROIX: Can you give us a page reference.
Senator JOEL STERN: Page 40.
Senator ANABELLE LACROIX: Are you talking about program 2.1?
Senator JOEL STERN: Yes.

CHAIR: So, the party is a feasibility study to determine the viability and existence of video and/or sound art?

ALL MEMBERS: Yes.

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