The title of the
Biennale collection at the Art Gallery of NSW was ‘In finite blue planet’
inspired by an unimposing little piece of art placed by the entry to the
exhibition.
Not
much larger than a soccer ball and modestly framed, the image appeared at a distance to
be a simple globe. On closer inspection, I realised that it was a planet
comprised entirely of the seas, oceans and waterways of the world, with all the
landmasses excised to leave only the water.
As Tasmania
awaits the arrival of a supertrawler, heralding the advent of factory fishing
in Australian waters (a third-world ecological disaster springing to right life
here at home), the immense importance of the world’s waters has searing relevance
right now.
