25 years ago, not only was there a huge dust storm in but there was also a huge cultural storm which resulted in the establishment of Multicultural Arts Victoria in 1983. The organisation has made an enormous contribution to the arts and more broadly to the development of Australia’s diversity since its establishment. Multicultural Arts Victoria evolved from the Festival of All Nations, which was established 10 years earlier in 1973. Its first objectives were to widen the artistic expression of the community to ensure it reflected the diversity of different heritage and traditions. MAV is in the unique position that all the organisations former Chairs are still alive and well and living in Melbourne, Luciano Bini, Wellington Lee, Hass Dellal, George Papadopoulos, President of the former Festival of All Nations, Mike Zafiropoulos, John Boglis plus our current Chair Stefan Romaniw OAM. Multicultural Arts Victoria has served communities and artists in Victoria and Australia well over that period. One needs only look at the lists of members over that time, the events and activities organised, facilitated and supported to see that MAV has justified its existence and has been a leader. This Anniversary Year has also given the Board and staff of MAV an opportunity to reflect on work to date and plans for the future, to contact former Chairpersons and Board members to get a better insight of its history. The journey continues as MAV entrenches itself as the peak body for multicultural arts in Victoria.” Stefan Romaniw Multicultural Arts Victoria, following on from the original mission of the Festival of All Nations, continues to celebrate and openly welcome diversity of culture, ethnic tradition and respect of heritage alongside contemporary practice in all disciplines of the arts in today's multicultural Australia. To acknowledge this milestone and to honour MAV’s role in the community, Multicultural Arts Victoria and the Melbourne International Arts Festival are collaborating to program the opening of the 23rd Melbourne International Arts Festival. This collaboration with the Melbourne Festival reflects MAV’s leadership in developing artistic exchange and intercultural dialogue through the arts. It is fantastic to be able to celebrate our 25th birthday with all of Melbourne and we would like to say a huge thank you to Kristy Edmunds for supporting our local, culturally diverse artists. The cultural activity driven by the ethnic communities over this period of time has shaped the cultural landscape of Melbourne. The Mix It Up partnership program with the Arts Centre is another prime example of an innovative, inspiring cultural diversity initiative and is a milestone in the Arts for Victoria. Collaborations with key organisations in Victoria including the Arts Centre and Melbourne Festival reflects MAV’s leadership role in the arts in the State in ensuring participation of CALD artists. Along with the opening of the Festival, we have other exceptional cultural activity planned over the second half of the year. The Mix It Up program continues following on from our huge and very successful Visible Concert and CD launch in July. In August we have the Indonesian community profiled with the Punakawan Quartet and our local outfit Fine Blue the Melbourne City Council Indigenous unit. We wish her well and look forward to working Thread with Ria Soemardjo, Helen Mountford and Sam Evans. In September Our Back Yard with her in her new role in bringing the Indigenous and multicultural communities together returns to Hamer Hall and in November we head to the South Seas for a feast of Polynesian in a spirit of reconciliation. contemporary culture. July saw the conclusion of the successful Emerge Festival which has been developed by Mix It Up is an ongoing collaborative project initiated by MAV and Arts Centre and the MAV in support of our home grown invisible artist to make them visible. Visible 3 the CD project is now imbedded in the Arts Centre’s corporate plan for the next 3 years- it is about was launched at Hamer Hall and has a great line up of artists – a must for all supporters of building new audiences and engaging the CALD community. MAV will be traveling to , great music and local multicultural arts, you may be pleasantly surprised at the talent we with Deakin University and the Arts Centre to share our program and research with The have unearthed through our Visible mentoring program. Department for Culture and the Arts (DCA) and the Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI) We also had two exhibitions in May & June. Firstly, Passion that opened Arts Law Week in The DCA policy, ‘Championing Creativity 2004-2007’, includes Multicultural Arts as one of the Supreme Court and was then was exhibited for four weeks in 600 Bourke Place with the four priority areas. However, as in Victoria, anecdotal evidence suggests that artists from support of Melbourne City Council, AMP Capital, Arts Law Centre of Australia and the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds in WA face similar challenges Victoria Law Foundation. Then we had Journey an exhibition of three Ethiopian artists at 45 accessing employment and professional development opportunities, and may be Down Stairs. We then journeyed to ACMI where five emerging young film makers under the disadvantaged by limited access to advocacy and policy support, cultural stereotyping mentorship of Thomas Baricevic produced five individual and inspiring short films and then and/or racism. to the BMW Edge Theatre for Are We There Yet? a forum on the refugee issues. We look forward to sharing our experiences in the development and findings of the MIX IT The current staff and Board acknowledge the enormous work of past EO’s, staff and Board UP program with the arts colleagues in WA. On the National touring side we have an Members all who have laid the foundations for a strong and exciting organisation in 2008. upcoming tour of Drums and Lions with and Dereb Desalegn in partnership It has been an incredible journey and Multicultural Arts Victoria will continue to lead the with Kultour. Following on from a creative development opportunity from the Full Tilt way in advocating for diversity in the arts. We thank all our supporters and members and program at the Arts Centre in 2007 the unique Red Span Dance Company we will be importantly our artists and communities for sharing their culture with us and we look touring in September 2008 to Casula Power House for a three night season forward to celebrating our 25th Anniversary with you. Earlier this year through the support of the Besen Foundation Multicultural Arts Victoria supported an indigenous trainee, Gina Chrisanthopoulos, Little G who worked on our Black JILL MORGAN Executive Officer Harmony Gathering. Gina finished at MAV at the end of June and is spring boarding into

2 Visible Concert

3 Featured Artist was invited to play djembe for American- based Master dancer Alseny Soumah, for MOHAME D CAMARA his 2007 tour to Guinea. In June 2007, Mohamed travelled to the village Faranah ohamed Camara was born in in Haute Guinée to study and perform Guinea, West Africa, of Manding with Guinea's most highly respected Mdescent. Growing up surrounded Master drummer Fadouba Oularé. by Guinea's vibrant and colourful music Since arriving in Australia in July 2007, tradition, percussion became his passion Mohamed has taught and performed from an early age. traditional Guinean percussion around At only eight years old, Mohamed began Victoria including workshops at the an apprenticeship with German-based Victorian College of the Arts, Werribee Guinean Master drummer Ton Ton Sylla. Zoo, Fed Square, CERES, and the Arts This led Mohamed to study and perform Centre's African Village. Mohamed has with Master drummer Aliou Sylla and also featured as a guest performer with Miriam Makeba's percussionist Papa many of Melbourne's leading ensembles Kouyaté, and to teach students travelling including Melbourne Orchestra, the from Europe, America and Australia. African Royal Drummers and Diafrix. Mohamed has now joined forces with In 2001 Mohamed was a founding Aliou Sylla, Appiah Annan And Anna member of Guinean drum and dance Camara for Melbourne's exciting new ensemble Ballet Destin, and in 2005 he West African percussion and dance joined internationally renowned ensemble Muhanamwé(meaning ensembles Ballet Bolonta and Les Sorciers “culture”). The group wowed audiences at de Guinée as a djembe soloist. Mohamed the Visible Vol 3 launch at the Arts Centre in July and can be heard on track 9 of the CD. the Arts Centre in association with Multicultural Arts Victoria presents INDONESIA PUSAKA WITH THE PUNAKAWAN QUARTET

elebrated pianist Jaya Suprana will escort Melbourne C audiences on a rich musical journey through the Indonesian Ria Soemardjo archipelago. Joined by guitarist Jubing Kristanto, percussionist Junaedi Musliman and bass player Heru Kusnadi, Punakawan the Arts Centre in association with Multi- Quartet specialises in the timeless sufi cultural Arts Victoria and The Push presents music of Indonesia, presented with a very OUR BACKYARD contemporary style. Part concert, part lecture, Indonesia Pusaka introduces the ur Backyard is a non-stop hip music from some 120 ethnic groups in a hop show with funky fresh magnificent tribute to this diverse country. dancers, emcees and DJs. Get Suprana vividly communicates the joy of O ready for an afternoon of thumping beats, This is not all traditional music. While the Indonesian music as he guides the raw rhymes, breakin', krumping and tunes have deep roots in far off places they audience from Aceh to Batak lands, to emcee freestyle battles from some of Padang and to Sunda, and on to Central have been shaped polished and given new Melbourne's own! Java and Ambon. life by local collaborations, production skills The line up includes: Muph & Plutonic, and new interpretations. Album opener Let Fine Blue Thread, a new collaboration of Wickid Force Breakers, Breakin' Battles Them Know by Public Opinion is a new Ria Soemardjo (vocals, viola), Helen featuring band Cookin' On 3 Burners, and exciting take on Fela Kuti's Afrobeat, Mountford (cello) and Sam Evans (tabla), Push Underground featuring the latest up youth favourites Diafrix blend their hip hop merging the sounds of the Indonesian and coming Melbourne live hip hop acts, with Indigenous with DBoy, M2TheB, region with a distinctive modern Hip Hop dance crews, poppers and Melbourne style, will be the opening CappaAk and Little G, and the Diafrix lockers, Emcee battle DJs and much more! performance. connection continues with Emcee Momo Get involved with the pre-show event pushing forward his sisters The Komba “The beautiful themes of Indonesia's most from 11am and learn how to beat box, Sisters featuring Phasika on Find it in You beloved traditional tunes flowed from his check out the sneaker display and witness VISIBLE 3 [Suprana’s] fingers like sparkling jewels” the Emcee and Breakin’ pre-battles. Sudanese St Bakhita's Choir from Noble The Jakarta Post Review by DJ, Systa BB Sunday 21 September, 1pm Park and St Albans would put any reality Supported by the Consulate General of the Arts Centre, Hamer Hall f there was any doubt that television program to shame and Tabura & the Republic of Indonesia. A Free Ticketed Event different migrant communities are Airi Ingram of Grrilla Step fame breathe Tickets available from the Arts Centre Box Arrive early and experience a FREE new life into Arnold Ap's Kawarine. A real Office Icontributing in new and exciting performance by the Melbourne highlight of the album combines Ethiopian ways to the Melbourne music scene Community Gamelan from 4pm, view then Visible will dispel them. Free jazz, and hip hop with that deep deep Bambang Nurcahyadi's digital art "3D", ranging from Ethiopian Jazz and Sudanese Addis funk with The Black Jesus Experience cultural displays, and tastings of Choirs, to East Timorese freedom song and and Mela Mela (Solution). With members Indonesian coffee & sweets. from Ethiopia, Burundi, Namibia, New West Papuan rhythms, the album Saturday 9 August, 5pm showcases music that has made the Zealand and Australia the band represents the Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio journey and been changed somewhat by all that is good in the cross cultural yard of BOOK NOW! theartscentre.com.au*, 1300 Australian experiences. sharing song, experience and music. 136 166*, the Arts Centre Box Office or Visible Vol 3 needs to be heard…. Ticketmaster outlets Tickets $30 - $49 *Transaction fee applies

4 Featured Artist theory and practice - examining states of embodiment and processes of MIKE HORNBLOW transformation in terms of affect and emergence. He is particularly concerned ike Hornblow is a writer, performer with diagrammatic concepts and methods M and filmmaker from New Zealand, across architecture and performance that now living in Melbourne. He has a inform site-specificity, collaborative practice Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film, a Master of and art-activism. Arts in Media Production and is currently undertaking a PhD by Project at SIAL. A long-time collaborator with Tony Yap in workshop laboratory in the movement arts, Mike has produced a diverse range of film, Mike has initiated the coming BB0 series at video, multimedia and performance TOFF on 17 August (see below). projects in New Zealand, Australia, Europe, Email: [email protected] Japan and the United States. His research Tony Yap Company interests involve the intersection of the Research blog: PALIMPSEST body and the constructed environment in http://mikehornblow.wordpress.com/ ony Yap Company (TYC) will be Tfeaturing Palimpsest at the Water Palace (see pictures above) in Yogyakarta. DARK SIDE OF MOON TYC, together with Nottle Theatre A LUNAR ~ ARCHÆOLOGY Company from Korea and Paguyuban Seni BB08.01... on the night following Full Moon Surya Kencana of Indonesia will be rehearsed and performed Palimpsest in One Show Only! Yogyakarta with TYC. This cross-cultural, SUN 17 AUG 2008 @ 8pm cross medium project was developed in Toff In Town 252 Swanston St Melbourne Wonju, South Korea in December 2007. above Cookie The new work, working title Palimpsest $15/12 conc at door is an investigation of the processes of From the bodies and minds behind the ‘Beyond Butoh’ attachment, suffering and silence. series, BB08.01 presents an evening of experimental dance performance with live sound, voice, video and installation elements. A field trip to the dark side of the moon, BB08 transforms THE TOFF into a total environment of sublime madness... Performers: Adam Forbes, Ben Rogan, Sharna Vrhowec, Ingrid Baring, Tania Bosak, Eva Bujalka, Nichole Eddington, Daniel Mounsey, Josephine Fisher, Janatte Hoe, Mladen Ilic, Edgar Loutit, Geraldine Moray, Leesa Nash, Gabrielle New, Myfanwy Aldersun, Sue Lindsay, Natalie O’Connor, Mariela Laratro, Gretel Taylor, David Naylor, Jarrod Benson, L’hibou, Antonia Green, Tony Yap, Michael Hornblow. Curated by Michael Hornblow & Tony Yap

5 MULTICULTURAL ARTS VICTORIA’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY1983 - 2008

MELBOURNE Melbourne’s identity and the richness Black Jesus Experience a nine piece were to widen the concept of Australian INTERNATIONAL ARTS cultural diversity brings to the Arts. Afro-Jazz-hip hop ensemble will play. Culture by ensuring contemporary Black Jesus Experience is led by Australian culture, and in particular the FESTIVAL OPENING The line up of some of our composer and multi instrumentalist artistic expression of the community extraordinary local artists and special Peter Harper who has created an reflects the diversity of different heritage guests includes The Public Opinion Afro The year 2008 marks two significant exciting blend of contemporary and and traditions “ Hass Dellal Former Orchestra, a hot new ensemble of occasions, the 25th anniversary of our traditional Ethiopian song. Chair MAV fifteen musicians from Melbourne’s unique cultural organisation African, jazz and hip hop scenes, A few more of our talented artists will “Multicultural Arts Victoria is the Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) and Unified Gecko, a richly textured also be profiled also at the Speigel Tent successor to the Festival of All Nations- the opening of 23rd Melbourne contemporary Middle Eastern group including the wonderful Ileana Posas a celebration of world culture. The International Arts Festival. who will be joined by Underbelly, one who will be launching her Album which Festival of All Nations created a cultural As part of the 25th anniversary, of Melbourne’s finest Middle Eastern was supported through MAV, Madeleine revolution in the conservative Australia Multicultural Arts Victoria and the dance ensembles and Meltemi, a Flynn and Tim Humphrey who work of the early 1970’s and set the scene for Melbourne International Arts Festival musical fusion of both Greek and closely with the Tony Yap Company the establishment of Spoleto, the have combined forces to present, a Turkish cultures. who MAV who are to tour to Korea and predecessor to the Melbourne huge free concert at Federation Square Indonesia later this year and finally the International Arts Festival (MIAF), and This incredible musical venture, is led on Thursday October 9th from 6pm. sensational amazing home grown Latin the Fringe Festival”. Mike Zafiropoulos, by Melbourne’s irrepressible master of outfit San Lazaro. President of the former Festival of All MAV artists being programmed to open groove, Nicky Bomba of Melbourne Ska Nations Committee. the 23rd Melbourne International Arts Orchestra who will play the finale The call goes out to all MAV members Festival is a sensational way to profile featuring a veritable who’s who of local and supporters to be in attendance, to The collaboration with Multicultural Arts the extraordinary talent we have locally jazz, and ska talent including stand and be counted for this rare and Victoria (MAV) and Melbourne in the multicultural arts community in members of Skazz, the Trojan Horns, special moment. MAV looks forward to International Arts Festival is quite timely Melbourne and our vital role in the The Moonhops, The Pachuco Playboys, celebrating its 25th birthday with you all and important. It highlights the need to community in nurturing culturally Bomba and the Ska Vendors. This much on October 9th! develop future policy priorities and diverse artists and unearthing new anticipated performance will see them programs in the Arts that can directly It is fantastic to be able celebrate our talent in Melbourne. join with some of the hottest local support both our communities’ cultural African, Indigenous, Latin American and 25th birthday with all of Melbourne and aspirations as well as support the MAV, our artists and communities, and Caribbean artists including Diafrix, MCs we would like say a huge thank you to incredible skills and talents of the MIAF will be celebrating the Azmarino and Momo, Haitian born soul Kristy Edmunds in her last festival, for myriad of artists of CALD backgrounds multicultural makeup and heritage of songstress Nadee, Brazilian fusion supporting our local culturally diverse to reach their full potential; which I Victoria, and importantly acknowledging group Tumbarumba and Senegambian artists. This collaboration reflects MAV’s believe, will act as a catalyst for an the cultural development that has Griot musician Jali Buba Kuyateh. The leadership role in the arts in the State incredible maturation of the arts – one emerged over the past 35 years, at the powerful African duo Diafrix will team and our role in developing artistic that captures the best of all the cultures opening of the 2008 Festival. From the up with Little G to create a vibrant exchange and intercultural dialogue and traditions from around the world, Festival of All Nations in 1973, to cross-cultural experience, speaking of through the arts” Jill Morgan Executive but one that is also uniquely Multicultural Arts Victoria in 1983, the differences and commonalities Officer MAV Australian.” George Lekakis Chair Piccolo Spoleto, Spoleto,The Fringe and between Indigenous and African youth Victorian Multicultural Commission “Multicultural Arts Victoria, following on then MIAF in 1986. culture. from the original mission of the Festival On stage will be some of the most As part of the finale, Nicky Bomba and of All Nations, continues to openly exciting talents from Melbourne's Tumbarumba will lead the crowd in a welcome diversity of culture, ethnic current multicultural arts scene who line-band procession to Birrarung Marr tradition and respect of heritage will be mixing up beats, cultures, eras for a joyful ceremony of dance, light alongside contemporary practice in all and vibes from indigenous beats, and music. disciplines of the arts in today's middle eastern grooves, latin sounds, multicultural Australia. The cultural afrobeat and loads more. Sister Selekta will keep the party activity driven by the ethnic happening all through the evening. The communities over this period of time From Eritrean, Maltese, Indigenous migration to Australia of artists from all has shaped the cultural landscape of Australian, Nigerian, Polynesian, over the world has made Melbourne an Melbourne and is still thankfully doing Coromos Islander, Ethiopian, Latin amazing place to be. so” Stefan Romaniw Chair MAV American, Turkish and Greek backgrounds, the artists in this concert The party will continue at the famous “Multicultural Arts Victoria emerged in exemplify the depth and richness of Speigel Tent, the Arts Centre, Forecourt, 1983 from its parent organisation the on the Sat 18th October 7pm where Festival of All Nations. Its first objectives

6 7 ANANKE them out and just hope that they'll be back some time soon. Lenin Simos DB n June Multicultural Arts Victoria magazine successfully toured Ananke to Multicultural Arts Victoria thank the Hobart and as part of I Australia Council for the opportunity to Kultour’s touring program. present a very broad cross section of The band Ananke is made up three highly professional multicultural arts work to new skilled musicians from Melbourne audiences bouzouki player Achilles Yiangoulli, piano And a word from Nick Tsiavos the highly accordionist Anthony Schulz and double skilled Double bass player in Ananke bassist Nick Tsiavos. It was huge success and the music although “challenging” for My name is Nick Tsiavos and I play in a some audiences was very well received in band called 'Ananke', we have no other both destinations. To support this wild agenda than to make music that is as claim following are some quotes from honest a response to our history and Lenin Simos DB magazine who saw geography as our jaded little psyches allow. Ananke’s performance at the Nexus We recently toured Hobart and Adelaide cabaret in Adelaide. for KULTOUR and MAV - had a whale of a time, played to and met wonderful people; I haven't enough words to adequately and for that, we are thankful. describe the sounds conjured by these musicians, three of the finest soloists I've 'Ananke' is a trio that radically, and heard for a long time, who when coming critically explores the ideas that surround together made for an awe-inspiring and our various 'cultural histories', and explores Dereb & Nicky unique group sound. them within an adventurous frame that includes Minimalism, Free Improvisation The sound was complex, always dynamo Nicky Bomba and the use of Extended Techniques; all DRUMS AND LIONS metamorphosing, and challenging (not to and Ethiopian born Azmari musician Dereb the same, the resultant music is always mention absolutely gripping and Produced by Multicultural Arts Desalegn. The two established Drums and filtered through the bands openly panoramic) Victoria in association with Artback Lions in early 2006 after being linked Romantic agenda, ecstatic, cinematic at NT: Arts Development and Touring through Multicultural Arts Victoria's Visible There were moments where I closed my times, and always with a Bittersweet sub and Playing Australia. arts project. They have since catapulted eyes and imagined Popul Vuh and Third text. onto the international world music scene Ear Band scoring Herzog and Polanski, or ‘From Nicky’s raw African drum beats to 'Ananke' does not fit easily into any with the launch of their debut self titled Parson Sound lolloping in the meadows of Dereb’s moving native vocals, Drums and classifying 'box', not Jazz, not Chamber album, two video clips and performances Sweden. Moreover I heard Greek Lions praises both the differences and music, not World music, but resonates at WOMAD (UK and Australia), WOMEX rembetika transported to South India, or similarities between Australian and African within, and beyond these easily spoken (Spain) and an Ethiopian tour in 2006. the West Indies even. But there was cultures. ’ www.thedwarf.com.au genres. So, it was a wonderful feeling to something more contemporary and more The musical roots of Drums and Lions are engage with these new audiences at the Songs of love, friendships and fallouts, striking to the playing that reassured me bound deeply in traditional Ethiopian Peacock Theatre in Hobart, and at Nexus unquenched passions, reflection, praising that I was very much in a small theatre in music. Dereb, coming from a long line of Cabaret in Adelaide. And a sigh of relief as nature and life, the joy of the new and the Adelaide listening to a bunch of Australians musicians and singers, is a master of the well.....we were introduced as 'challenging' fragrance of a special woman ... ! that is with very wide palettes and even wider Ethiopian one string violin, masenko and is music performance at both venues; and it Drums and Lions sonic spectrums. a singer of rare talent. He specialises in was great that the audience was interested, Drums and Lions allows audiences to be new wave Azmari music - a style that I could've listened to Ananke all night; this and connected, and the response was transported to East Africa in this unique developed when the Azmaris, the was one of the finest concerts of recent beautiful and very rewarding for the musical collaboration between Maltese wandering minstrels of rural Ethiopia, memory. Do yourself a favour and check performers. migrated to inner city Addis Ababa. Combining soul, blues, reggae and Bollywood, with the musical heritage of Ethiopia's 70 ethnic groups, the Azmari's created a new generation of music. In Drums and Lions, Dereb and Nicky have stayed true to the Azmari tradition of improvisation and non conformism, even further evolving the music into a new African Australian sound. Listening to Drums & Lions for the first time, one is struck by the unusual melodies and lyrics sung in Dereb's native Amharic language, However the music itself is unbearably catchy (in classic Bomba form) and you can't stop tapping your toes. This dynamic combination makes the Drums and Lions sound extremely versatile and accessible to almost any audience. See website for tour dates in QLD, NSW, NT, SA and VIC in Aug & Sept: www.multiculturalarts.com.au

Ananke

8 Kultour TOURING REDSPAN DANCE COMPANY

When internationally acknowledged choreographer Feng Feng Weng became a citizen of Australia in 2006 her first impulse was to form a dance company. She teamed up with producer/composer Gus Macmillan, and Red Span Dance Company was born. The vision of the company was to develop a collaborative environment for dancers and artists of Chinese and Australian backgrounds to work together with the aim of spanning the divide between traditional Chinese and modern western art-forms, blending Feng Feng's extensive Chinese folk and modern dance training with contemporary Western influences, to be set in a 21st Century context. Redspan Dance Company’s work has quickly developed an original character and style of its own, expressing a complex and subtle aesthetic which reveals an intimacy, elegance, simplicity and abstract grace. It represents a unique and personal expression of an emerging Chinese culture as it engages with the rest of the world, as Artists profile told through its recent diaspora. FENG FENG WANG In 2006, Red Span Dance Company Feng Feng Wang was born in Chengdu, received the inaugural Full Tilt funding China, and began full time dance training initiative by the Victorian Arts Centre. The when she was accepted into the Full Tilt program provided Red Span Dance prestigious Shanghai Dance School at the Company with the resources to develop age of 11. There she studied Classical the work Xing with a brief showing in the Ballet, Chinese Folk Dance, and Chinese Blackbox Theatre of the Victorian Arts Traditional Dance for six years. Upon Centre. In 2007 Feng Feng worked in graduating she took up a tertiary Beijing as part of the lead up to the 2008 placement at the Beijing Dance Academy, Olympic Games. She returns to Australia to where she studied choreography for four tour her works Xing, White Fan and The years, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Treasure as part of Multicultural Arts Dance, and learning a variety of styles Victoria's Kultour program performing at including Merce Cunningham, Martha Dancehouse on September 6th & 7th 2008 Graham and Trisha Brown. During this and the Casula Powerhouse on September time she also studied dance for a period in 11th, 12th & 13th. Following this tour Feng New York and choreographed and Feng will be mainly based in Melbourne, performed Rust Sleeve at the Connecticut developing a new work “Flower Knot” as International Dance Festival. She then went part of Terrain08, pursuing further funding on to work in the Chinese Central Ballet as opportunities through the Australia a staff member, dancer, and assistant Council, Arts Victoria and Asialink for more choreographer, and during this time creative collaborations. choreographed Blood at the International The long term aim of the company is to Computer Music Festival in Beijing, and not only create works that bridge the performed Calling for Wilderness, with the cultural gap but also combine the best Beijing Modern Dance Company, China. In dancers from China and the West, working 2004 she came to Melbourne, Australia to together to develop responses to the study for her Masters Degree in cultural, historical, political and personal Choreography at the Victorian College of circumstances that divide and unite them. the Arts. During this time she choreographed and performed many The Company works including White Fan, Phoenix Feathers and The Treasure. Feng Feng Wang Choreographer , Nicholas Somerville Dancer , Danielle Carnavon Dancer , Suhaili Ahmad Kamil Dancer , Tony Nguyen Dancer , Yi Zhang Dancer , Gus Macmillan Composer , sound designer, musician and prod/manager Nicole Broesder Lighting Designer /Operator and technical director See website for performance dates in NSW and VIC in September: www.multiculturalart.com.au

9 Difficult Majesty

MEMORY: BEYOND THE galleries at the NGV Australia. THE ELOQUENCE OF MIND GESTURE This is an opportunity for the wider Presented by La Mama Exploration community of writers, readers, artists, A word and music performance Season especially art teachers and senior art presented by World Poetry students to be inspired by the artists, and Invitational Works in progress preview Fri 31 Oct, 7.00-9.00pm to gain an insight in the philosophy and night: Fri 29 Aug, 6pm Northcote Uniting Church Hall Reading Room, Fitzroy Town Hall, Corner the crafting of Artist's Books. Napier St. and Moor St., Fitzroy Two writer/ artist talk & reading events will Opening Night, Sat 15 Nov, 6:30pm for 7pm start 16 & 17 Nov, 6:30pm for 7pm Folk singers and musicians Kavisha be held in the Theatre, at the The NGV Australia Theatre Federation Square start at Bluestone Building, Living Museum, Mazzella and Irini Vela together with The Maribyrnong Grollo Girls – poet, Marisa Fazio and actor, Melbourne Josephine Eberhard and other poets Event one here does memory live? Through video projections, soundscapes, including Eduardo Caruso,Vincent Di Date: Sat 23 August movement, music, spoken word Stefano and Josephine Gargano-Carey will Time: 11am – 12 noon W explore the theme of l’Italiano in piazza and audience participation, a highly through a blend of song, performance Presenters: Difficult Majesty personal, rich and evocative conversation poetry and gesture. 1. Susan Hawthorne & Suzanne Bellamy will take place between seven artists from Unsettling the Land diverse cultural backgrounds, sharing their 2. Lino Concas & Tommaso Durante The experiences of memory and how it can Coffins of Uluru exist beyond the human mind. DROUGHT 3. Marisa Fazio & Vivie Anne Fazzalori? A variety of performances will explore 4. Kevin Brophy & Deborah Walker The gift conscious and unconscious experiences of Artist's Books to feature in the 2008 of perseverance memories triggered by our senses. Writers Festival 5. Lauren Berkowitz Graceful poem Relationships with our past, our language, external objects, places, rituals and food A collection of Artist’s books created by 6. Judith Rodriguez Dried Arrangement individual writers in collaboration with will all be placed under the lights while individual artists from various art practices, Event two sound and visuals carry the audience will feature in the 2008 Melbourne Writers Date: Sat 30 Aug through a sensual and unforgettable Festival. Time: 11– 12 noon experience. The Artist’s books are part of the larger Presenters Directed and devised by Dominique Rada exhibition titled “DROUGHT-Creative Cross 1. Domenico De Clario & Graziella De Memory: Beyond the Mind - a cross- Cultural Collaborations, mounted in the Clario as plants never born cultural collaborative performance as a Fracture Galleries at Fed Square, which will 2. Dominique Hecq & Catherine Clover follow to Dominique Rada’s previous be launched at ACMI, Fri 22 Aug at 4pm in Thirst sensory memory collaborative exhibition the Melbourne Writers Festival Club. 3. Lindsay Andrew& Anthony Pelchen Glovesick in 2006. Each event introduces 6 writers and artists Difficult Majesty Proudly supported by:VMC, MAV, La who, via a visual presentation, will talk 4. Elizabeth Presa rail cloth Mama, The Living Museum, Chalis - about, the inspiration, and the creative Chris Wallace-Crabbe & Bruno Leti Northcote Uniting church, Arup Acoustics, process that led to their respective Artist's Element 3, Joe Valerie, Nick McInerney, Books, to an artist book. They will be The Written Word The Grass Tree Productions. followed by 10 minute readings in various 6. Ania Walwicz Damage

10 Viv Mehes, Made in Australia

VIV MÉHES never thought it possible to work with MARCELLO D'AMICO them remain anonymous. I try to bring out asylum seekers using photography, they the essence and quintessence and MADE IN AUSTRALIA NEW HORIZONS: FREEDOM an exhibition about hope, were just too vulnerable on BVE, but femininity of women by focusing on their offering anonymity made it possible. In bodies, instead of their faces. This complacency and consequence Banyule Art Space, 14 Ivanhoe Pde, Ivanhoe fact, the absence of direct gaze and the anonymity and poses are influenced by the which ran in July at 1 Spring Street in 13-23 Aug, 11am - 4pm. Melbourne as part of the Emerge Festival. blurring of faces make the images more sirens in Homer’s epic Odyssey, who sang highly charged and disquieting’. his latest exhibition represents a from the rocks of these magnetic islands to In a partnership with Hotham Mission very important stage in my life allure for ever passing sailors. The sirens Viv Méhes’ work is represented in Asylum Seeker Project, photographer Viv T as I begin a new artistic venture with represent the sensuality of women, which Australian public galleries. She has won Méhes spent 2 years collaborating closely “New Horizons – Freedom” All the works is embraced in my colored drawings. In my several prestigious photographic awards with asylum seekers living in the were created especially for this exhibition drawings women feel free, and this with Shadowland, her first exhibition on community on Bridging Visa E, resulting in in the past six months, and there will be explains the title of the new collection. this theme, including first prize, high a confronting study of those denied the more to come which will be shown for the commendations and acquisitions in: The right to work, study or access to Medicare. first time next April at the Steps Gallery in Autumn Salon, Centre for Contemporary Lygon Street, Carlton. Some of these The core strength of the exhibition comes Photography 2005, The Alice Prize 2006, drawings will be used to illustrate a book from the integrity of the 12 poignant and The Josephine Ulrick Win Shubert of poetry, to be published in 2009 by the stories in the series Staying Strong, gently Photographic Award 2007. drawing on the inner resilience of asylum Canadian poet Rona Shaffran. seekers from Sri Lanka, Burma, Lebanon, In my new colored drawings I aim to bring Cyprus, Fiji and Ghana to create a powerful out the essence, femininity and sensuality narrative. This intimate narrative combines of the figure, by focusing on the female with the other striking elements: a colour bodies of all ages. I create an illusion that mural series of silent, waiting commuters the viewer is admiring a woman in her entitled The People, and the Installation own private environment, without pretence Hung Out to Dry, combining a Hills Hoist and artificiality, and the knowledge that she with portraits printed onto delicate swaying is being observed, as she is often depicted fabric; at first intriguing, endearing and in the media. I do not intend to detract familiar, it carries a bitter sting. from various representations of women, One of the portraits from the exhibition is but wish to have the opportunity for now a finalist in the national Olive Cotton society to see her in all her forms, rather Portrait Award 2008. Usama on his city than a single stereotype. My appreciation walk is an unusual portrait; as Viv wrote, ‘I of all women is demonstrated through the use of models varying in ages, yet all of

11 Folio Editorial Team Multicultural Arts Victoria in partnership with The Horn presents…. Editor-in-Chief Jill Morgan Sub-Editors KULCHA JAM Music Anita Larkin Every third Saturday of the month starting Sat 16 Dance Tony Yap Aug, 9pm till late. Visual Arts Naomi Ota Word Lella Carridi The Horn, 20 Johnston St, Collingwood Theatre Meg Larkin Bringing together some of the rarest emerging African, Island & Indigenous music Multicultural Arts Victoria Staff talents live on stage for your dancing and listening pleasure. This monthly live music Executive Officer Jill Morgan experience at Melbourne's funkiest & Finance Officer Hung Nguyen friendliest live music venue kicks off with an Admin Officer Janette Hoe / Meg Larkin Afro Reggae night featuring Black Roots & Project Officer Anita Larkin special guests hosted by Nicky Bomba. Entry Youth Officer Khaled Abdulwahab only $5 at door. Dinner bookings: 94174670 Mix It Up coordinator Miriam Abud Graphic Design Tony Yap Photos Bill Poon, Georgia Metaxas, Josh CELEBRATE THE UKRAINIAN Robenstone, Natasha Blankfield, Claudia SPIRIT: UKRAINE’S NATIONAL Sangiori Dalimore DAY kultour CEO Rohini Sharma Sat 16 Aug – workshops & exhibitions 11.30- 4.00pm, concert program 12.30pm-3.00pm Multicultural Arts Victoria BMW Edge – Federation Square Fitzroy Town Hall A whirlwind of Cossack dancing, a feast of 201 Napier St Fitzroy Ukrainian song. Intricate and beautiful PO Box 2179 Fitzroy DC 3065 Ukrainian folk art including Pysanky and 9417 6777 embroidery demonstration and traditional P cuisine. FREE F 9416 3342 E [email protected] W www.multiculturalarts.com.au

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