Fetus Reproductions opens at Artspace Tuesday 4 June at 6 pm
Fetus Productions attacked advertising’s use of perfect images and perfect bodies. They blended graphic realism,
psychedelic surrealism and industrial-yet-serene music to move audiences out of their romantic paradigms of beauty and
humanity. Underpinning their work was a philosophy: a concern for human rights, an organic respect for life, and a
resistance to ad media. The group parodied corporate activity with different operations, branches, and sub-brands - The
Fetals, Perfect Product and ICU.
Artspace’s June exhibition is entitled Fetus Reproductions. It’s a direct reference to the art collective Fetus
Productions that evolved from the remnants of kiwi punk band, The Features from 1980-1989. The new exhibition runs from
4 29 June and re-creates a series of their work from the 1980s. Their unique brand of audio-visual “industrial” style
was part of a small, global culture network that operated in an expanded field. They were not just a music group, their
work crossed over into film, art and fashion. They were totally ahead of their time. They released seven albums,
designed clothing, wrote manifestos, made films, and challenged the parameters of music and art, blending pop,
industrial and philosophical methods.
The Gallery will be blacked out - channelled into sensory overload with three digital video projections onto the walls.
The show will create an immersive, multi-sensory environment. The three projections are a montage of original Fetus
Productions material from their immense archive of footage. Jed Town from the group made remarkable experimental D.I.Y.
music clips, mostly with collaged Super 8 films. Some of his video work from that period is absolutely remarkable,
especially the award-winning Flicker.
OPENING: Tuesday 4 June, 6pm only at Artspace
FLOOR TALK: Saturday 15 June, midday at Artspace