amy jane stephenson

ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) will be hosting the Gob Squab collective, for looks like a pretty fun night.

“Armed with four video cameras and filming in real time, the members of the Squad will hit the streets an hour before each session, and create a feature film using passers-by as the cast. Each member of this German troupe performs a different role in the production, dispersing to a variety of locations around Melbourne’s CBD to record their contribution. They appropriate whatever people and objects stray into their path, disrupting the nightly flow of the city and striving to make the ordinary extraordinary.

Returning to the cinema, the team turn over their tapes, which are played back simultaneously on a partitioned screen, each story overlapping with astounding precision. Seemingly random moments come together in a hilarious, intimate and revealing narrative; shaped by chance, by innocent bystanders, by our own city streets. The result is simply amazing.”

Details on the ACMI website; http://www.acmi.net.au/gob_squad.aspx

In just over a month I fly back to the beautiful town of Tromsø in northern Norway to begin the creative development of Olsens Ballett Institutt.

Elin Danielsen (director of Hangen Til…) has formed a smashing group of artistic people to explore “the waiting room before death” aka a nursing home. Among the group are a; poet, electronic artist, video artist, musician, choreographer, costume & set designers and performers (of which I am one).

The project has received substantial funding support from the Norwegian Arts Council. After a five week creative development process, there will be a two week season as part of the Tromsø International Literature Festival.

It’s going to be a very special trip! I can’t wait to return to Norway and re-connect with all the wonderful people I was lucky enough to work and play with when I lived there for two years, and also to be a part of a cutting-edge new work which crosses all boundaries of culture and language.

Now I better go and practise my Norwegian…

As you may remember at the Melbourne Fringe Festival last year ,“Six Women Standing in Front of a White Wall” won the Gasworks development award. This month director, Chenoeh Miller, is creating her new show “Cordelia” during a three-week development at the Gasworks. We’re all looking forward to immersing into the creative process with an exciting cast (which includes men this time). I’m working backstage and liking the idea of putting on the blacks and radio headset for a change.

Here’s the press release;

CORDELIA
A thrilling hybrid performance spectacular

The individual versus family. Love versus duty. CORDELIA delves deep into the complexities of human relationships.

Little Dove creates a timeless new world of song and dance amidst a unique story inspired by characters from Shakespeare’s KING LEAR.

“Maybe we shall let her go, to freedom and true love – to leave behind her dark foundation…”

THIS CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT SHOWING IS FREE AND BY INVITATION ONLY. TO REQUEST AN INVITATION PLEASE EMAIL chenoeh@littledove.com.au

Little Dove is delighted to announce that we will be bringing our acclaimed Butoh Live Art work Six Women Standing In Front Of A White Wall to the Melbourne Fringe Festival 2009! We would love to see you all there, so please start spreading the word to those you love, those you like a lot, or even just the lady at the cornerstore with the crinkly smiley eyes…

Browse Little Dove’s website to read the stunning reviews from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and bio’s for the performers.

*Please note that bookings are essential as there is limited audience capacity!

Northcote Town Hall
Ph: (03) 9481 9500
www.northcotetownhall.com.au

Melbourne Fringe Festival
Ph: (03) 9660 6666
www.melbournefringe.com.au

This is such a beautiful experiential performance, I cannot wait to be a part of it again. Won’t you join us?

Currently NGV have a free event running called  ’Art Chat’ which I am rather excited by. Tomorrow (July 30th) Chris Kohn (Artistic Director of Arena Theatre Company) will be discussing The importance of risk-taking in making theatre for the young and old. As a drama teacher and keen performer what could be more appropriate than “subjective perspectives on the topic”?!

Only yesterday some fellow drama teachers and I were discussing how drama in schools may or may not connect to the greater arts community. Does the VCE structure set aspiring actors and directors up for the arts industry? Is it too outcomes-based?  How can we make theatre which connects to gen y? Or conversely how do gen y make theatre?

I feel passionate about public programs between schools and companies such as Arena Theatre. Not only do they enhance learning experiences but also illustrates to students that there are many ways of expressing ones values and dare I say opening up one’s identity.

When we were performing Six Women Standing in Front of a White Wall at Edinburgh Fringe in 2007, we shared a neighbouring wall with a fantastic show called Smile off your Face by Ontroerend Goed (a Belgium company).

Well now they’re touring another award winning show here in Australia. The name of the show: Once and for all we’re gonna tell you who we are so shut up and listen (am I attracted to shows with long titles I wonder). It’s sounding like an energetic show with its “frank view of 13 youngsters who are at once rebellious, aggressive, vulnerable, cool, childlike, and sometimes surprisingly adult.”

Perhaps it’s just me doing some research into the minds of teenagers, will it help me in the classroom? Sure.

I’ve recently found a new arts venue: Incinerator Arts Complex, in Moonee Ponds Melbourne. It’s an interesting building, built in 1929 as a collaboration between architect Walter Burley Griffin & engineer John Boadle.

They have an upcoming exhibition which I look forward to. “aRtECYCLE is an exhibition of indoor and outdoor temporary sculptural artworks specially created in response to the building and grounds of the Walter Burley Griffin designed Incinerator Arts Complex.

Inspired by the extraordinary architectural, philosophical and spiritual influences of Sir Walter Burley Griffin and his collaborator Marion Mahony Griffin, as well as the venue’s historical significance as an active incinerator that used the reverberatory system of waste disposal, all aRtECYCLE artworks are made of, or inspired by, recycled materials, salvaged waste, junk, flotsam and jetsam, debris, or saved, found, retrieved and reclaimed objects.”

Wednesday 13 May to Sunday 24 May

In the arts industry it’s often difficult to get the rightful recognition and pay for ones work. Danielle Killick’s stunning and craftful new Six Women costumes are likely to gain her the recognition she deserves. One can’t ignore the pure creativity and time spent on these unique designs. Not to mention how lushfully soft and flexible they are (perfect attributes for performing in). I’m sure Danielle is set to continue on the path of designing beautiful costumes and clothing both in and out of the arts industry.

Click here to see Danielle’s Yellow Mule Collection.

I popped into the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art to have a look at their much-talked about current installation. The Water Hole is ‘an ecological fantasy-world’ created by Swiss artists Gerda Steiner and Jörg Lenzlinger.

It’s not one of those installations which you walk into a square room and make your way from left to right, no, this one takes you on a real journey. The breeze created by your walk sends shivers through the strange mixture of human objects entertwined with nature. Eclectic mobiles hang with just enough space for you to crawl beneath and watch the colours and textures sway.

This ‘extravagant, magical installation’ allows you to participate, observe, or observe those who are observing. For me, it commented on how we impose our consumerist culture into the environment. I wonder how many untouched water holes exist today?

If you happen to be in Canberra later this month (21st Nov), here’s an event you simply must attend. An array of entertainment; live music, butoh performers, the unveiling of new fashion and dancing, not to mention the amazing outfits some people wear.

There is another reason though, it’s raising funds to tour the show Six Women Standing in Front of a White Wall around Australia. I was lucky enough to perform in this performance installation at the Edinburgh International Festival, and I have seen the kind of impact it has on audiences. It must tour Australia, it carries such an beautiful message. Fly to Canberra if you must!