John Stafford - Demolition Show

Video recording at the opening night of the "Demolition Show" an exhibition curated by John Stafford in 1986 at the Observatory Gallery.

"Video recording of the performance of Gun Crazy" by Virginia Barratt, at the "Demolition Show" Exhibition, curated by John Stafford in 1986, at the Observatory Gallery. "Gun Crazy" is a simple story that has grown out of local "zones of Anxiety" tensions that exist between characters and roles, local media and artist, cityscapes in our landscape. The form is a departure from the classical dramatic to the use of conventional forms in a different space - playing to different rules. It is a physicalization of an idea between floor and wall. Placing the physical arts in a visual realm.

Video recording of the "Demolition Party "at the Observatory Gallery, in 1986 .

2 large black and white photograph of Mark Webb's installation 'Welcome Aboard'

3 large black and white photographs of the building in Little Roma Street, and its demolition.

9 Extra-large and 7 laminated black and white photographs of the exhibition, with works by Penny Algar, Mark Webb, Jay Younger, Alan Owen, The Observatory Collective, Lindy Collins, Bryan Law and an appendix of all works by Alan Owen & Lindy Collins.

7 large laminated black and white photographs with Velcro tabs to the back. Views of the exhibition.

Aerial photograph of Brisbane, with red dots which identify [heritage listed buildings?]

6 x A3 size black and white photographs that have been laminated, taken at the Demolition Show Exhibition, [possibly at the demolition party]

1 black and white photograph of a 'group meeting'

Black and white photograph of the 'Demolition Show'

A set of 14 photographs and negatives of the installation of the Demolition Show.

Advertising [mock-up] for the Demolition Show. Two advertising prints on photographic paper, giving details of the gallery's business hours and the duration of the exhibition. The graphic illustrates the streetscape outside the Observatory Gallery in Little Roma Street, Brisbane, with the imposing arm of the excavator approaching.

Advertising for the 'Demolition Show' 10 – 31 March, using Alan Owen's design 'Eclipse of Vision' this illustration depicts two cranes either side of a pyramid, at the apex of the pyramid is an eye. Text at the bottom of this flyer reads “The Observatory” 92 – 102 Little Roma Street, it also gives the opening hours.

3 images of the installation by Lindy Collins, 'Bye Brisbane Banners' with photographs of the facade of the A.C.F. & Shirley's Fertilizers Ltd building, at Little Roma Street. Images illustrate varying stages of the buildings demise.

Black and white photograph taken of attendees at a planning meeting, held at ‘The Observatory Gallery’ on Thursday, 28 November 1985.

20 coloured images that illustrate the expedient arms of hydraulic excavators crashing through the walls of The Observatory Gallery, that once stood in Little Roma Street the city. The building was pulled down as part of the extensive inner-city redevelopment, bringing to an end this contemporary artist run space.

Large Image of two chairs from Mark Webb's installation, ‘Welcome Aboard'

5 black and white photographs plus didactics for “It's a simple story” photographs have been laminated, Velcro tabs attached for hanging. Artist Michelle Andringa, collaborated with artist Virginia Barratt for the performance event "Gun Crazy: You gotta Laugh" held at The Demolition Show.

Wayne Smith was an active participant on the 1980's Qld ARIs sector and was included in "The Demolition Show" held at The Observatory Gallery, Brisbane from March 10-31, 1986. his work "Spectre of Progress" contains a series of laminated photographs showing events of a performance and a didactic titled “Contract of Demolition” which accompanied the exhibition.

Observatory Collective, 'No Salvage' includes b/w images, showing views from the street looking towards the building pre demolition and the other with the excavator parked outside with its arm extended.

7 smaller b/w photographs of the installation by Mark Webb, Alan Owen, Penny Algar, Jay Younger, Lindy Collins, these have been laminated.

8 b/w photographs with didactics and artist statement by Jeanelle Hurst., Artist (Performance Artist), Artist (Painter), Artist (Video Artist), Artist (Mixed Media Artist) The images capture the audience viewing the performance of ‘Come on now everybody out…’ The performance is on the street, outside the building, in Little Roma Street.

The front cover illustrates the streetscape outside the gallery, with the imposing arm of an excavator approaching. The library holds 4 copies of this spiral bound catalogue, with details of those that contributed to the exhibition. "the Demolition Show 10-31 March 1986", held at the Observatory Gallery.

5 audio tape cassettes, tape 1. Demolition show : 1 radio program, with Steve Sharp. Tape 2 & 3. Demolition show - A Documentation - 2 interviews and 1 radio program. Tape 4. Order by numbers. Tape 5. Start ere.

Film Facts presents "Going about their business" a didactic which describes the work of the Film Facts Collective.

Collection of art didactics (essays) by Bryan Law - 'A Fable', 'Brisbane 1986', 'Follow the Roads' and ' Prescription'.

Multiple copies of various postcards, documenting the Demolition Show Exhibition and the Observatory Gallery’s activities.
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Collection of newspaper clippings, with articles about the development of the site, after the building was demolished. Also the party held on the site before the closure of the Observatory Gallery.

Miscellaneous newspaper clippings and 1 issue of "Griffitti" student paper [Feb 1986], "Time Off", issues 245, 246 and "Versions" [Aug 1985]

Performance night flyer, meeting notice, advertising and mock ups for the exhibition catalogue.

Negatives transparencies and slides relating to the demolition show exhibition.

Advertising poster for an exhibition of the "Demolition Show ~ a documentation", held at the QCA Gallery 1 ~ 26 September 1986.

Poster, with Illustration of a wrecking ball smashing through the Observatory Gallery building, depicting its demolition.

2 posters, 1 x black and white, 1 x red and white, advertising the “Demolition Party Fair”, held at Little Roma Street, on Sunday March 23, 1986.

18 pieces of miscellaneous material, all mounted on black card and originally housed in an artist portfolio case. the items include, advertisements, press clippings, exhibition and site development related articles, invitations, postcards, demolition trail sign, by Alan Owen, art auction information relating to Brisbane artists and prominent others, /​ compiled by various authors.

Includes correspondence between John Stafford and the artists, photographers and various companies and advertisements, press releases and a poster for the show. Administrative paperwork includes invoices, loan agreements, draft contracts, and receipts.