Arts Program for Conference of Ecological Society of Australia
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ARTS PROGRAM FOR RESTORE, REGENERATE, REVEGETATION CONFERENCE David Mackay: New England Stringybark, Eucalyptus caliginosa Print on paper, 45 x 60 cm. 1 ARTS PROGRAM FOR RESTORE, REGENERATE AND REVEGETATE CONFERENCE As a particular feature of this conference a visual and performing arts program has been especially designed to entertain and to encourage reflection on alternative media for communicating ecology with society. The arts program includes: A specially commissioned Conference Image This image will act as the conference image, symbolising the main themes of the conference. This has been done by botanical artist David Mackay and a limited edition of prints of this image will be on sale at the conference and in its lead up. Spectacular dance and music opening Excerpts from the oratorio God’s Drawing Board by Ralph Steadman and Elena Kats-Chernin will be performed by dancers under the choreography of Melissa Killen and musicians under the musical direction of Melita Roache. A special dance film has been created by film-maker Sarah Watson. Musical performances at the conference barbeque and dinner Classical guitar duo Ephenstephen will perform at the conference barbeque and rockabilly band the Bobcatz will perform at the conference dinner. Fabric installation summarising elements of the conference The conference will feature beautifully printed fabric by local artist Cat Macgregor hung in the main conference auditorium, to provide a rich setting for the conference as well as to provide alternative media in getting over ecological information to the general public. Environmental street theatre Armidale High School and Duval High School Drama students have devised a series of short theatrical pieces about ‘the environment’, to be performed at the conference reception. Performance of Nova-anglica by Dave Eddy This specially devised performance combines rich visual imagery and exciting music to evoke the ecosystems of New England, their ravaging through dieback, and their restoration by community action. It will be performed at the Armidale Town Hall in conjunction with a free public forum being organised by the Armidale Tree Group. Artist in residence at the conference The conference has invited the artist Leah MacKinnon to act as artist in residence at the conference. Her art specialises in art that engages with ecological themes. 2 Special conference cups Beautiful ceramic cups have been made especially for the conference by local ceramic artist Rachel Lawrence. The cups will have some element that relates to grassland ecology, be it native grass motifs, a glaze composed of plant ashes obtained from local grassland plants, or using local clay that has come from the creek-bed of one of the revegetation plantings that will be visited as part of the conference. Launch of Dazed by Dieback comic This comic book by ecologist David Curtis, explores the causes of rural dieback and the solutions through ecological restoration and revegetation. It will be launched at the conference barbeque along with a parallel exhibition of the comic’s artwork at the Armidale Tree Group Michael O’Keeffe Woodland Education Centre. Artists Table Artworks will be on sale, including prints of the conference image, the conference mugs, Dazed by Dieback comics, Cat MacGregor’s fabrics and tea towels, etc. Art gallery tour A special tour of the art galleries in Armidale is planned for conference delegates and associates. Galleries have been selected which will be holding exhibitions that feature work which include ecological themes. The arts program is designed to: Encourage scientists to reflect on alternative media to communicate their science to society Aid understanding of complex scientific information (including synthesising information and assisting in communicating the themes of the conference) Entertain (marvel of skills, enjoy something beautiful, laugh, relax, break up monotony, affirm and energize delegates) Provide a rich environment for the delegates to receive information Showcase the depth and richness of Armidale's community, make the conference memorable, and boost the profile of ecology in the community. David Curtis Coordinator of Art Program Restore, Regenerate, Revegetate Conference Ecoarts Australis Inc. Email: [email protected] Mobile: 045 8484 951 3 CONFERENCE IMAGE The Organising Committee selected a special conference image by acclaimed botanical artist, David Mackay to symbolise the main themes of the conference. The image will also provide a lasting memorial of the conference for those participants who wanted to invest in a special memento. The image selected (New England Stringybark, Eucalyptus caliginosa) evokes the idea of ecological restoration through its beautiful rendering of this local species of stringybark. Botanical artist David Mackay has been drawing plants for over 40 years. His career has included 16 years as the botanical illustrator at Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens and stints as guest artist at London’s Kew botanic gardens, the University of California at Berkeley and the Linnean Herbarium in London. Prints will be available in two sizes: 45 x 60cm — $240 including GST and postage 60 x 90cm — $395 including GST and postage DAVID MACKAY New England Stringybark, Eucalyptus caliginosa Print on paper, 45 x 60 cm. , 4 CONFERENCE OPENING: GOD’S DRAWING BOARD Monday 6 February, 9.00am God’s Drawing Board is an oratorio that was commissioned by the Armidale community and it had it’s world premiere in Armidale in 2008 with about 170 performers, consisting of orchestra, children’s choir, adult choir, dance company, actors and soloists. It was written by acclaimed UK author and illustrator Ralph Steadman, and acclaimed Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin. It celebrates the planet’s wonderful biodiversity, decries its destruction through climate change and war, and ultimately celebrates our community’s efforts to protect and restore our natural environments. In part it celebrated the wonderful work done on the New England by the community in restoring ecological communities in the wake of dieback. It did this by celebrating the work of two incredible New England tree planters — Mike O’Keeffe and Mark Sandstrom — who worked tirelessly for the Armidale Tree Group (Mike) and Greening Australia in Dorrigo (Mark) before their premature deaths. The key to the oratorio is the power of individuals — local action (here tree planting as the rain begins to fall) becomes a metaphor for regeneration — environmentally as well as socially and spiritually. Five excepts of the full work will be performed: Birth of Life, The City’s Poisonous Vapours, Death of the Woodlands Regeneration of the Woodlands Dawn Chorus Choreography: Melissa Killen Musical Direction: Melita Roache Film: Sarah Watson Dancers: Soloists — Melissa Killen, Hamish Creighton, Robbie Curtis, Duncan Carmichael, Hamish McPhie, Georgia Seymour, Deepka Ratra, Isabella Taylor, Dakotah Love, Stephen Quinlan Jnr, Isaac Clark. Ensemble — Xanthe Barratt, Isabella Moore, Lauren Boundy, Micah Scholes-Robertson, Harry Lye, Aiden O’Keefe, Scott McGann Anthony Carlon Musicians: Kristal Spreadborough, Lilly Baber, Kirrily Baber, Lewis Baber, Stephen Tafra, Chris Ramazani, Thomas Frazier, Emma Scott Vocalists: Duncan Carmichael, Amy Roff, Hamish McPhee, Grace Toakley 5 The original production of God’s Drawing Board, December 2008 featuring the choreography of Melissa Killen and Penny Gurner. Photograph: Jim Vicars. 6 WELCOME RECEPTION WITH ARMIDALE HIGH SCHOOL AND DUVAL HIGH SCHOOL The Eco-vaudeville circus: a journey into environmental consciousness Sunday 5 Feb, 6.00-7.00pm Central Courtyard Ecodrama can be defined as theatre that explores the reciprocal connection between humans and the more-than-human world. It describes works with environmental themes, that attempt to raise consciousness and inspire change; it also explores ‘sense of place’, identity and community. Using the University grounds as our performance space and incorporating aspects of the living stage created by eco-scenographer Tanja Beer as part of the Ephemera project at the Black Gully Music Festival, they will present an ecodrama which engages students from two local High Schools. The students have been involved in devising a piece of theatre that encourages audience members to gain a greater understanding of environmental issues. Theatre and music create an immersive and experiential performance. The style is vaudeville, and the audience are invited to enter on a journey into ‘The Environment’, which is presented as a pristine and precious commodity. The themes explored include: our connection with the natural world; climate change; water security; human impacts on the environment and our individual and collective responsibility. The students were directed by Camille Dunsford (Armidale HS), Caitlin Walsh (Duval HS) and Julie Collins (Univ. of New England). 7 EPHENSTEPHEN GUITAR DUO PERFORMANCE AT BBQ Monday 7 Feb, 7.00-9.00pm Central Courtyard EPHENSTEPHEN is an Australian classical guitar duo from Armidale. Comprising multi-instrumentalist/guitar teacher Stephen Tafra and guitarist/composer Steve Thorneycroft, EphenStephen are a duo committed to exploring both inventive and established repertoire and who boast a diverse history of projects ranging from new music commissions to ground breaking transcriptions of classic works. EphenStephen have recorded two CDs to date, GUITARmidale – featuring music written by Armidale composers, and their own arrangement of Bach’s ‘Goldberg’ Variations.