The last man is the beginnings of a video work documenting the final tourists to climb Uluru, a rock sacred to the Aṉangu people. This work aims to critically engage with issues of cultural respect in Australia and the problematic attitudes that prevail in the mainstream population. Before the climb was closed by the Aṉangu in 2019, crowds rushed to ascend the monolith using the chain originally bolted to its surface in the 1960’s to encourage mass tourism; a disrespect which has since been removed and rehabilitation attempted. Now the climb is closed, this artwork takes the opportunity to reflect on the outdated beliefs of the climbers as vestiges of a colonial mindset. At a time when First Nations sovereignty is finally beginning to be recognised, it considers the rock as a stage for a conflict between a Aboriginal connection to place and the superficial tourist culture. At its worst the climbing chain could be seen as momentary entertainment through which people sleepwalk up the rock like absurdist automatons. The title is drawn from the concept of the Last Man by Nietzsche, who predicted a destructive interim society would arise following the decline of religious belief in Europe, with groups of people clinging to past certainties who—in the face of change—are apathetic, complacent and struggle to find meaning in life. Nietzsche predicted a period of transition between the era of absolute truth in God and a new society where people construct frameworks of meaning and value, free of religion. This free society would be open to a range of beliefs and perspectives, rather than dominated by a single viewpoint.
Please note that this is a hidden page on this website (and unlisted video) as this project remains unfinished. Please do not share this link.