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

Photos by Christan Nilsen (based in Berlin).

Excerpts from the 2007 Norwegian season of Hangen til…

Hangen til…

Through the use of installation and immersive experience, you are guided through a series of rooms.

You are given a warm, enjoyable experience in a dementia-ridden world confused by what is real, fact, commonsense and by what is fantasy, imaginings and desire.

Somewhere in this transient space, you may begin to realise who Olsen is.

Vulkana badebåt, publicity, set design, loud music, tape, lampshades, snow, sauna, projectors, concern, yellow, play, energy, warmth, Norwegian. Kjenner du Olsen?

Learning to waltz, costuming shopping, live music, meetings, browsing for props, discussions, projection, aquarium, scenes, research, autumn, OLSEN.

My creativity is completely nourished by this talented and inspiring ensemble.

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