Desert Equinox: Air

In its purist form Air is a mixture of gases (78% Nitrogen, 21% Oxygen and less than 1% carbon dioxide and other
gases) and Air is what humans and other animals need to breathe. Air is clear and becomes visible when movement
is detected by things that fly, float, wave or when it is mixed with other gases or particles. When mixed with other
gases, surfaces, or particles air absorbs, scatters, refracts or reflects light. Vibrating air pressure at varying
frequencies is a medium for sound or information. Air is the Earth’s atmosphere. The movement of this body of air
around the earth affects climate. In weather systems air flows from higher to lower pressure areas causing winds at
various speeds. Whether directly or indirectly winds transport excess heat from the sun away from the surface of the
earth.

The two categories for this year’s AIR Art - Prize Exhibition are Smoke and Mirrors. Entrants are asked to choose the
category most related to their artwork/s. The themes of Smoke and Mirrors are meant to provide a fluid source of
artistic inspiration. Smoke and Mirrors feature in folklore, mythology and literature and the expression ‘smoke and
mirrors’ references deception, obfuscation, or that which is hidden from sight. The following is a guide to
distinguishing between the different categories of Smoke and Mirrors. Entrants to the prize exhibition are asked to
contextualise their entry to one of these two categories:

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SMOKE: Theatrical, atmospheric, ephemeral -- the result of unburned fuel (combustion) - airborne particles and
things that shift, drift or move through air (birds, flags, mobiles etc.) - dissipating (fumes, exhausts, gases, heat
hazes)- communication (radio waves, smoke signals) – obstructive (smoke screens, defensive and offensive
capabilities to absorb, change, pollute or block light) – smells (cooking, flavour) – rituals (incense, sage, resin)
 

MIRRORS: smooth, clear –- an optical device (magnifies, bends, distorts, deflects and reflects light) – self identifying
(visually and mentally) – found throughout the natural and manmade world (reflective pools, polished stone, glass) -
scientific apparatus (telescopes and lasers, cameras, and industrial machinery)
Please refer to our websites for updated information: 

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www.bhaeinc.wix/deair

www.brokenhillartexchange.org.au

 

EVENT DATES AND LOCATION

The exhibition will take place in the city of Broken Hill in the Far West region of New South Wales, Australia.
Submissions close on Wednesday 30 November 2016. The exhibition will run from 10.00 am – 4.00 pm daily from
Saturday 10th to Sunday 18th September 2016. This international event is open to all individuals and groups able to
install, maintain, display and dismantle their artwork/s for the duration of the exhibition. The exhibition is located at
various sites throughout the city of Broken Hill. Exhibitors are responsible for organising their site for the display of
their artworks. A map of the locations of all artwork displays will be published and distributed to promote the
exhibition to both the local community and its visitors.