Overview

Camouflage Australia provides international context for the historical circumstances and events of the organisation of camouflage in World War II in Australia and the Pacific region. She elaborates on the parallel involvement of British and American artists in the field of concealment and deception, and reveals the widespread interest shown by western naturalists and scientists in the application to warfare of the behaviours and aesthetics of animals.

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9781920899738

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Reviews

'Elias' book is not only a major contribution to the understanding of this form of defensive warfare but is also a significant contribution to the history of art ... It is recommended for anyone who is interested in the tactic of invisibility, as well as anyone interested in tactical manoeuvres. In my view, this text fills a void that has long existed in the subject literature - and fills it with distinction.' -- Hank Prunckun * Australian Defence Force Journal * 'Elias' invaluable work in presenting a complete history of this almost forgotten chapter in the history of artistic contribution to Australian life is a lively blend of science and art. ... This snapshot of the Camouflage Unit in the last years of the war is not only interesting as a history of a highly specialised artistic practice and of the wartime activity of a number of significant Australian artists, but more importantly it reshapes our understanding of the importance of creative thinking when applied to problems in the wider sphere of social engagement.' -- Ted Snell * Eyeline: Contemporary Visual Arts Magazine * 'They reflect the conundrum that artists faced in war, torn between focus on beauty and abject war. Elias argues that their histories show that camouflage and art were mutually informing ... Her book pays tribute to their efforts in this context. Inspiring in terms of creativity and heroism alike.' -- Eileen Chanin * Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society * 'Elias's book is a masterful account, not just of Dakin's brilliant comparisons between animal camouflage and military camouflage but how his small unit made significant contributions to the Australian war effort by its skills in making the visible invisible. The book is an excellent example of interdisciplinary research, revealing highly productive case of interdisciplinary practice.' -- Philip Goad * Fabrications: The Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australian and New Zealand * 'Elias's cross-disciplinary approach of bringing together art, science and psychology in the pursuit of disguise and concealment in the military context is refreshing.' -- Catherine Speck * Australian Historical Studies * 'Camouflage Australia is an eloquent work. But Ann Elias gives us much more than a hidden history of artists, scientists and soldiers. She tells us about the contest of knowledge in modern Australia, and provides an insight into the contested domain of civil-military relations.' -- Ben Wadham * Journal of Sociology *

'Elias' book is not only a major contribution to the understanding of this form of defensive warfare but is also a significant contribution to the history of art ... It is recommended for anyone who is interested in the tactic of invisibility, as well as anyone interested in tactical manoeuvres. In my view, this text fills a void that has long existed in the subject literature - and fills it with distinction.' -- Hank Prunckun * Australian Defence Force Journal * 'Elias' invaluable work in presenting a complete history of this almost forgotten chapter in the history of artistic contribution to Australian life is a lively blend of science and art. ... This snapshot of the Camouflage Unit in the last years of the war is not only interesting as a history of a highly specialised artistic practice and of the wartime activity of a number of significant Australian artists, but more importantly it reshapes our understanding of the importance of creative thinking when applied to problems in the wider sphere of social engagement.' -- Ted Snell * Eyeline: Contemporary Visual Arts Magazine * 'They reflect the conundrum that artists faced in war, torn between focus on beauty and abject war. Elias argues that their histories show that camouflage and art were mutually informing ... Her book pays tribute to their efforts in this context. Inspiring in terms of creativity and heroism alike.' -- Eileen Chanin * Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society * 'Elias's book is a masterful account, not just of Dakin's brilliant comparisons between animal camouflage and military camouflage but how his small unit made significant contributions to the Australian war effort by its skills in making the visible invisible. The book is an excellent example of interdisciplinary research, revealing highly productive case of interdisciplinary practice.' -- Philip Goad * Fabrications: The Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australian and New Zealand * 'Camouflage Australia is an eloquent work. But Ann Elias gives us much more than a hidden history of artists, scientists and soldiers. She tells us about the contest of knowledge in modern Australia, and provides an insight into the contested domain of civil-military relations.' -- Ben Wadham * Journal of Sociology * 'Elias's cross-disciplinary approach of bringing together art, science and psychology in the pursuit of disguise and concealment in the military context is refreshing.' -- Catherine Speck * Australian Historical Studies *

'Elias' book is not only a major contribution to the understanding of this form of defensive warfare but is also a significant contribution to the history of art ... It is recommended for anyone who is interested in the tactic of invisibility, as well as anyone interested in tactical manoeuvres. In my view, this text fills a void that has long existed in the subject literature - and fills it with distinction.' -- Hank Prunckun * Australian Defence Force Journal * 'Elias' invaluable work in presenting a complete history of this almost forgotten chapter in the history of artistic contribution to Australian life is a lively blend of science and art. ... This snapshot of the Camouflage Unit in the last years of the war is not only interesting as a history of a highly specialised artistic practice and of the wartime activity of a number of significant Australian artists, but more importantly it reshapes our understanding of the importance of creative thinking when applied to problems in the wider sphere of social engagement.' -- Ted Snell * Eyeline: Contemporary Visual Arts Magazine * 'They reflect the conundrum that artists faced in war, torn between focus on beauty and abject war. Elias argues that their histories show that camouflage and art were mutually informing ... Her book pays tribute to their efforts in this context. Inspiring in terms of creativity and heroism alike.' -- Eileen Chanin * Journal of the Royal Australian Historical Society * 'Elias's book is a masterful account, not just of Dakin's brilliant comparisons between animal camouflage and military camouflage but how his small unit made significant contributions to the Australian war effort by its skills in making the visible invisible. The book is an excellent example of interdisciplinary research, revealing highly productive case of interdisciplinary practice.' -- Philip Goad * Fabrications: The Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australian and New Zealand * 'Camouflage Australia is an eloquent work. But Ann Elias gives us much more than a hidden history of artists, scientists and soldiers. She tells us about the contest of knowledge in modern Australia, and provides an insight into the contested domain of civil-military relations.' -- Ben Wadham * Journal of Sociology * 'Elias's cross-disciplinary approach of bringing together art, science and psychology in the pursuit of disguise and concealment in the military context is refreshing.' -- Catherine Speck * Australian Historical Studies *

Author Information

Ann Elias is an associate professor of visual arts at the University of Sydney.

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