CAUTION: CONFLICT! [FAT] Day 3

by Liza Zawadzka

The last night of [FAT] gets off to a raucous start as desparate fans steal front row seats - tossing seat-saver coats and bags aside and defending their view like it was the Gaza strip. The theme of the last evening was Conflict and revellers were incidently slightly more on edge and
moody...

The show started with a modern dance performance (I know - I usually gag at modern dance too - but the dancers are amazingly interesting). An artist drums on a computer snare drum, a video of Chinese drummers in military uniforms plays in the background, while a dancer winds yellow caution tape around the audience. Perhaps the work suggests a caution to the Olympic organizing committee to "think before you do"!

Asphyxia and Magdelina showcase their clothes with zombie models covered in "blood" (albeit glittery pretty blood) and the most creepy and amazing special effects make-up. The designers create a contemporary collage of Victorian materials - a tarnished silver ballgown, vintage velvet sparkling with jet, and ancient lace tangled and mangled to create a most interesting net effect. Vanja Vasic works with heavy white cotton outrageously cut to reveal an entire boob or butt cheek. Her deconstruction/reconstruction of fabric cut and sewn back together in thousands of layers of soft feathery ruffles is astonishingly beautiful as much as it is obsessive.

If you're looking for something to wear to a Yuri party then Red Barron has the perfect outfit in heavy white canvas ensembles complete with plastic bubble helmets and the NASA logo emblazoned in strategic places. Fashion diehards give Jessica Nicholson a standing ovation for her fearless collection which includes a video of anti-globalization protests and a cowl-backed dress made from a Palestinian scarf. Jewelry designer Jiame Galinea sets off the collection with witty necklaces, bracelets and headgear made from delightfully colourful lego pieces. Vecerra presents a small but interesting collection of plaster body cast corsets and a silver Barbarella short suit. Thanks to [FAT] for giving artists an opportunity to play, experiment and speak without limitations!