shaun gladwell's 'maddestmaximvs', in the australian pavilion for the venice art biennale 09, brings together the artist's trademark slowed-footage video installations of figures undertaking acts of physical virtuosity, with sculptural works and interventions into the fabric of the pavilion itself. the result is a project rich in visual experience and conceptual interplay between elements. developed over a two-year period, 'maddestmaximvs' marks a shift from gladwell's earlier focus upon urban environments and engages instead in a performative, personal exploration of the boundaries and possibilities of a human relationship to the australian hinterland. at the same time, 'maddestmaximvs' also looks at differing experiences of time and being, in particular through the relationship of the human body to its immediate environment. the exhibition is curated by blair french, executive director, artspace visual arts center, sydney.