Backch@t - First Episode

Television (Full Length Episode) – 1998

Backch@t was an award-winning magazine-style culture show. The first episode comes out guns blazing with a panel debate about Tania Kovats's controversial artwork 'Virgin in a Condom'. The sculpture caused national upset when it was exhibited at Te Papa in 1998 in a collection of new British art. Managing to keep a panel discussion convivial rather than confrontational, presenter Bill Ralston handles the catholic debate with aplomb. Other features include the Royal New Zealand Ballet touring the provinces, Wellington's International Arts Festival, and Chris Knox reviewing John Sayles movie Passion Fish.

Did you have any idea you were going to detonate a small art nuclear bomb here in New Zealand though?
– Bill Ralston asks British Council director Paul Smith about British art exhibition Pictura Britannica