"The War on Terror offers an unprecedented opportunity to the women of [America]. Our nation is putting its trust in our talents, and is providing the support we need to show the world that American women are the linchpin in the worldwide struggle for democracy." With these words, Coco Fusco -- a New York-based, Cuban-American performance artist and writer and forthcoming Hood Fellow at The University of Auckland -- sets the stage for her latest work, A Room of One's Own: Women and Power in the New America. "The War on Terror offers an unprecedented opportunity to the women of [America]. Our nation is putting its trust in our talents, and is providing the support we need to show the world that American women are the linchpin in the worldwide struggle for democracy." With these words, Coco Fusco -- a New York-based, Cuban-American performance artist and writer and forthcoming Hood Fellow at The University of Auckland -- sets the stage for her latest work, A Room of One's Own: Women and Power in the New America.As part of her Hood Fellowship in early August, Associate Professor Fusco will stage two performances of the work in Auckland and lead an Australasian artists' symposium examining the role of contemporary art practice and performance as a vehicle for social change.

In developing A Room of One's Own, the artist underwent a mock interrogation process, confronting first-hand the often torturous, sometimes sadistic practices of military personnel charged with eliciting intelligence from would-be terrorists.

Her performance-lecture focuses on the rationale behind using sexual innuendo as a tactic for extracting information from Islamic fundamentalists. It also stresses, with cutting satire, how a career in military intelligence represents an opportunity for emancipated women of the 21st century to shed their role as victims and become victimizers, wielding significant power and control over "others".

"Coco Fusco has developed an impressive profile internationally in relation to both her performances and writing," says Caroline Vercoe, Senior Lecturer in the University's Department of Art History. "Her visit will provide an opportunity to discuss the ways that art can engage with current social, political and cultural issues, as well as to make connections between local and international art practice."

When: Thursday 2 August, 1pm and Friday 3 August, 7.30pm
Where: Maidment Theatre, Alfred Street, Auckland
Tickets: Free tickets can be picked up from the Maidment Theatre.
For more information call (09) 308 2383.

Artists' Symposium: Engaging Artists: Society, Politics and the Performative

This symposium will comprise discussions and workshops and led by Coco Fusco alongside Pasifika trans-gendered artist Shigeyuki Kihara, Maori artist Tracey Tawhiao, Australian-based Deborah Kelly and Lebanese Australian artist Khaled Sabsabi. The artists will discuss their use of art to help articulate and highlight the complex issues of gender, ethnicity, politics and society.

When: Saturday 4 August, 10am-4pm
Where: Engineering Theatre 439 (20 Symonds St).
The symposium is free but registration is required. To register phone (09) 373 7599 ext 84464.

Operation Atropos

Coco Fusco's latest documentary, Operation Atropos, in which she and a group of female friends experience a mock interrogation process, will screen continuously in the foyer of the Gus Fisher Gallery (74 Shortland St) from 20 July -- 1 September.

The Lion Foundation is a proud supporter of the Hood Fellowships at The University of Auckland.

16/7/07