Trunk Rock III Terry Urbahn The Physics Room 2 - 26 March 2005

Trunk Rock III Terry Urbahn The Physics Room 2 - 26 March 2005

Trunk Rock III is the third incarnation of an installation described by Robert Leonard as "exemplifying that mode of chaotic category-corroding phenomena George Bataille called "informe" (formless)"1. The immersive installation takes as its starting point 1970s and early 80s New Zealand environmental art which Urbahn crudely translates into a gallery environment.

Urbahn's interest in this era of New Zealand's art history centres on the notion that environmental art practices of this period celebrated "some authentic Pakeha past - simpler times lived close to the Earth", according to Leonard.

The installation comprises plaster sculptural objects, twigs, and other mock-alchemical ephemera, along with two sublime black and white photographs and a video projection. The dizzying affect of the video, which is described by the artist as a "psychedelic bush walk special effects extravaganza", coupled with an 'authentic' sound track, evokes an unnerving flashback sensation. The work imbibes a range of influences from his surroundings, Urbahn commented, "while I forced myself to look at twig-art and pottery, I still couldn't help myself being swayed by B movies, my record collection and TV".

Urbahn graduated from the Ilam School of Fine Arts, Christchurch, with a BFA in Painting. As well as continuing his art practice in Wellington, he is working as the Project Manager for New Zealand's representation at the Venice Biennale 2005. 1 Terry Urbahn exhibition catalogue, texts by Robert Leonard and Lara Stongman z