Bababa International Airport Minutes 20/1/2011

In Attendance: Uncle Eric (UC), Igloo-Giggles (IG), G-Phone (GP), Teepee (T), Tall-Tao (TT), Chloe-h (Ch), Harry (H). Absent: Fuzzy-Intestine (FI), Charlie Sofo (CS).

New Arrivals: Tamale Steaming Pot*, 'Drink Water' collage by Oliver Watts procured through the Swapsie Program*, Colourful Plastic Plates from Mexico courtesy of L & S, Authentic Quasi-Straw Plastic Baskets, Postcard from Ms Grey, New Shipment of Sweeties & Beverages, Blithe-Cockroach.

*A pot used for steaming tamales; an ancient Latin American dish made by wrapping masa (a starchy corn-based dough), with meat or vegetable filling in a cornhusk or banana leaf. Recipe available on request.

*Spontaneously enacted in 2010, Swapsie Program allows registered and unregistered individuals/groups to collect art & objects that might otherwise exceed the weight of their wallets. To find out more about the Swapsie Program or to read the Swapsie Program Charter enquire right now.

Recent Departures: Diet Coke, Reggie-the-Plant, Half a BI Squatting Unit.

T sitting outside of airport when IG & GP arrive (by bicycle). Earlier signs of GP's dentist-induced-numb-mouth appear to have stopped. All enter airport. IG suggests that the first hour should invariably be given over to snacking - to be designated hence forth as Snack Hour*. Pretzels already opened by T are now shared amongst the three. IG & GP share some Saxbys Ginger Beer courtesy of the New Shipment.

*NB: Those wanting to attend Snack Hour in the future should be aware that it usually takes place on Thursdays between 5.00-6.00 PM @ Bababa International Airport, Shop 1/101 Young Street, Redfern, 2016, Planet Earth.

Some recent events are loosely discussed including an email sent by A.D requesting to visit the Airport in February; all present members agree that a prompt reply should occur. Sounds heard outside.

Ch enters (with bicycle).

All present members welcome Ch and remark that her bicycle is 'flash', 'looks fast' and are curious as to 'how long' Ch has owned it. ^^^General Chitchat takes place^^^ T & IG offer Ch a snack or beverage (seeing that it is still officially Snack Hour). GP on phone. Ch declines, remarking that she has just 'had some toast with honey'.

GP, seemingly unaware of the hospitality that has just taken place, offers Ch food and beverages again. T remarks that GP, since his new phone, drifts in and out of a techno-comatose state. To make up for this social foible GP takes Ch on a rousing tour of the Airport.

TT enters (no bicycle).

IG stands, greets TT warmly, and proceeds to introduce TT to all present attendees. The state of the Airport is discussed. TT asks general and pleasant questions concerning the space, cleanliness and decorating motivations. GI, GP & T all contribute to explaining the history of the Airport, such as its former function as a Pornography Shop. IG points out the black plastic bags that still hang on the wall - presumably used for customers who wanted to remain discreet about their purchases at the Pornography Shop. ^^^General chitchat takes place^^^

TT informs the group about his work for an NGO in London. He introduces discussion concerning the remarkable transformation clean water can have on communities abroad, and briefly explains water purification methods that can simply and effectively function using gravity instead of electrical power. GP informs the group of an invention known as the LifeStraw or iStraw that allow individuals to purify water as they drink. The cost and viability of the technology is debated.

TT also mentions recent research that he has been exposed to that supposedly uses the power of the 4th dimension + particular crystals to trap free-energy from the universe, thus harvesting an infinitely renewable resource. All attendees humorously interested, IG expresses doubts.

On the back of this trapping-universe-energy-conversation T mentions the practice of Wilhelm Reich, a Freudo-Marxist Psychoanalyst (1897-1957), who in combining Marxism and Freudian theories, linked sexual repression to both bourgeois morality and repressive economic structures. Reich founded a movement in Austria that combined his theories on sexual politics, naming it SexPol (1928). At this point he turned toward his inventions for psychoanalytical therapy, such as his Orgone Energy Accumulator, a device that could supposedly capture, collect, and store the sexual energy of the universe for later therapeutic use.*

*NB: The majority of this information was added and altered posthumously.

H knocks and enters.

GP, IG & T greet H and facilitate introductions between Ch and H as well TT and H. ^^^Missing text^^^ offers H a drink (Diet Coke). H informs the group about his new purchase, a stereo, which he obtained for a 'reasonable price'. H proceeds to tell jokes. All attendees in high spirits. IG remarks that this is 'the best Thursday meeting' that he's had for a long time. ^^^General chitchat concerning haircuts, jobs and radio programs take place. Huge amount of time passes^^^

Ch informs the group that she is going to leave. Goodbyes occur. H also departs with Diet Coke.

TT, IG, GP & T break for dinner. Take-away ordered from Erciyes Restaurant, 409 Cleaveland Street Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, PE. Dips, Turkish Bread, Pide & ^^^Missing text^^^ dish. Total Cost: $40. Location of consumption: Park.

Engaging discussion concerning the politics of Supermarket locations and practice takes place. Discussion engendered via BI's contribution to the catalogue for the upcoming exhibition, The Right to the City (Tin Sheds, April 8-30, organized by ZB & LS).

TT, IG, GP & T return to the studio. The group touches on a discursive array of topics including TT's father's artistic practice, recent Brushes pictures*, building a workbench for the Airport and more*.

* Brushes portrait of TT (GP, 2011)

*NB: FI, although absent, exerted a strange presence on the meeting. At one point a little puddle of spilt beer took on a remarkable likeness to FI. It remains unknown as to whether FI was trying to contact the attendees via an unexplained liquid-loophole in the universe or was it merely an accident in verisimilitude?

End of Minutes; attendees depart. Airport off.