Ptarmigan existed as a project space in Vallila from 2009-2011 and a mobile curatorial/creative platform until 2014. We no longer exist as an organised collective, but this website will continue to serve as an archive of the activities produced as/at Ptarmigan during these years.
The Motel Sisters, Paris and Tacky Motel, are a performance duo that parody popular culture, suburbia and contemporary art. The characters are loosely based on the over-media-saturated socialites such as Paris Hilton. Mixed with this pink-clad celebrity stereotype are the qualities of the aspiring suburban teen, including the influence of consumer fashion trends, identity angst and the superficial unrequited desire to be famous. The Motel Sisters have undertaken guerilla television appearances on Australian daytime tv shows, and also utilise aspects of interactive websites in their art-making. For instance, they present video art online on YouTube and cheekily experiment with Chatroulette. The Sisters endlessly self-promote using the ultimate self-promotion tool, the internet - in order to push the boundaries of performance art in a digital age.
In July 2011 the Motel Sisters will be in Finland presenting their 'European and Australian Contemporary Art and Performance’ forum. This will explore examples of cultural attributes prominent in Finland's contemporary art community alongside Australian examples. With a particular focus on performance art, this forum will be a lively discussion about contemporary performance and art in the digital age and how it can be utilised to boost artistic endeavours. The Motel Sisters podcast, ‘Popaganda’, will document the forum. This will be an exciting and interactive multimedia event; encompassing local, international and global perspectives. Special Guests at Helsinki forum include: Guest speaker - Ilka Theurich - www.ilkatheurich.blogspot.com Interactive artist - Kelly Monico - http://www.kellymonico.com Experimental musician - Brendan Carn - http://www.soundcloud.com/brendancarn/tracks The evenings proceedings will be facilitated by The Motel Sisters manager Special K.
