Out of Office: The Origin of Images (Oi!)
The Pavilion, Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne
6 February – 4 March 2023
Out of Office is a hybrid exhibition and office space for The BOO to undertake its core business, investigating ideas surrounding the complex nature of national identity. The BOO activated the Pavilion in the Fitzroy Gardens, Melbourne as a collaborative space to present contributions drawn from expanded disciplines based in, but not exclusively, visual art. It provided an open platform for interactions with the public, including a series of performative events and an exhibition The Origin of Images (Oi!).
Photography: Tobias Titz unless listed otherwise.

The working bureau...

Photos and things, 2019-2022 Patrick Pound

Patrick Pound Photos and things -detail 2019-2022

Tobias Titz and Bobby Bunungurr, 2016

Hootan Heydari Bee Nam (Untitled or Without a Name – Farsi), 2019 Edie Duffy Or however many it’s been through, 2021

Hootan Heydari Bee Nam (Untitled or Without a Name – Farsi) - detail, 2019

Question, 2023 Louise Lavarack and Peter Burke Artificial Skin 2023 Parminder Kaur Bhandal and Jim Adams Sovereign 2017 Nick Devlin Future Phantoms, 2022-3 Saffron Newey You can keep the love I gave you, 2023 Parminder Kaur

Sovereign -detail 2017, Nick Devlin

Future Phantoms, 2022-3 Saffron Newey Artificial Skin 2023 Parminder Kaur Bhandal and Jim Adams Sisters of Canton c.1900s, 2019 Scotty So Courtesy the artist and MARS Gallery

Question, 2023 Louise Lavarack and Peter Burke

Future Phantoms - detail, 2022-3 Saffron Newey

Future Phantoms - detail, 2022-3 Saffron Newey

Future Phantoms - detail, 2022-3 Saffron Newey

Future Phantoms - detail, 2022-3 Saffron Newey

thoughts & prayers, 2022 Julie Vinci

found album, 2023 Katayoun Javan

The Bureau...

Palette, 2013 Liz Bodey

Public engagement...

Process of collaboration between Tobias Titz and Peter Burke

BOOreaucrats, Houston with thanks to Alan Hopp

Sculpture with wall and aperture (there but not there) - detail, 2023 Steven Rendall

Victorian electoral role, 1958

A Manchurian noble lady at her backyard, c.1900s, 2019 Scotty So

Reading room trophy...
Testimonials:
‘It used to be a coffee shop here…’
“BOOreaucrat: Can I ask where are you from?
Visitor: Springvale...
BOOreaucrat: And before?
Visitor: Not that...”
‘That doesn’t offend me…’
‘Point Cook… but, India before that.’
‘Sounds like a New York thing.’
‘I just love the message.’
‘Australia is like a fruit salad. It has not yet stewed like America. Things are still a bit separate - it’s lovely!’
‘you young ones can think about that…’
‘I don’t know what’s been done to the flag…. history is complex.’
‘What does it mean?’
‘It used to be bad being a Wog, but now…!’
‘Are we able to use your loos?’
‘Some very insightful observations…’
I’m from Washington… Greece originally.’
‘I don’t know whether the picture or object came first…’
‘Sounds a bit deep for my brain’