Fossil Fables

’Fossil Fables’ brings the vast energy production and resource extraction landscapes of the Hunter Valley into the interior of an urban gallery. Making visible the unearthly places that humans have terraformed, the show presents the unimaginable scale of the Anthropocene to the general public. Since the introduction of open cut mining in Australia, there has been a dramatic change in the relationship between extractivist practices and the social and natural environment. ’Fossil Fables’ illuminates these voids by examining the effects of energy production and resource extraction through creative practice, scholarship, and a public engagement program.

GEO’s design strategy in approaching this challenge placed architectural design in an expanded field, incorporating diverse methods, narratives, and perspectives. The projects in ’Fossil Fables’ describe the enmeshing of historic, mythic, political, economic, and material issues that play out in the shaping of Australia’s national ethos and identity. They are a powerful reminder of the impact that large scale extractivist operations have on our communities and environment. Each one of the works presented in this design research show situates an aspect of these impacts in a spatial and affective way, telling stories of scale, violence, and materiality.

The impact of ’Fossil Fables’ is twofold: First, communicating the implications of coal mining to the general public. Second, speaking directly to architects and designers about their ability to examine these and other issues related to the climate emergency. Positioning architecture within this expanded field, we can design new creative approaches, produce new knowledge, and amplify visual culture. GEO’s interdisciplinary work also forms the basis of the pedagogical activity of its members, contributing to prepare a new generation of Australian architects. Further, Tin Sheds is the only space in Australia dedicated to displaying and curating critical architecture and design projects.

Fossil Fables was on public display at Tin Sheds Gallery, University of Sydney, from May 18 to July 8, 2023. During this period, three separate events were held within the space, drawing a range of public attendance and participation with the research and exhibited outputs. Opening May 18th The opening event and launch of the exhibition was attended by 80+ members of the public and design community. Featuring an opening keynote from curator Kate Goodwin and and introduction to the exhibition by both GEO directors. Exhibition Tour Friday 9 June & Saturday 24 June GEO directors lead a series of exhibition tours over two weekends, walking through with visitors to talk through the research in detail and answer questions. Lecture Performance and Book Launch Thursday 22 June The Global Extraction Observatory presented the lecture-performance ’Minefields,’ focused on the effects of energy production and resource extraction in Australia and beyond. This lecture-performance draws on sounds, texts, voice and images to unpick the historic, mythic, political, economic and material entanglement that defines Australia’s mining identity. The evening also launched the book ’Fossil Fables,’ edited by Therese Keogh and incorporating images and essays developed for this exhibition.