1. #GeelongAfterDark returns for 2019 this Friday - don’t miss experiencing the rhythmic soundscape of Sensory Portal 3 ‘ORO’ designed by @Deakin’s #VacantGeelong team. You can find more details in the programme on the event website: https://www.geelongafterdark.com.au/
A film projection of life-scale elderly people/past Ford workers dancing onto the walls of the portal interior engendered an animated spatial field. The ‘Oro’ design portal evolves from the work with past Ford workers - Macedonian elderly participants – who meet, share and dance at the periphery of Geelong.
Original creative work exploring forms of embodiment as cultural exchange at the interface of architecture and dance. When you walk into any of the Sensory Portals you enter another world. In Sensory Portal 3 ‘ORO’ you enter a rhythmic soundscape, life size images of people dance -they dance around the walls and you stand in this small space 1200 X 2400 in the midst of this energised field. If there are two or more people you rub shoulders with the dancers on the walls. They dance around you (in the centre of the space) or you dance with them.
(2) Research Contribution (approx. 100 words)
This research enhanced cultural exchange as an active participation at the interface of virtual (projection) and physical fields (architectural enclosure). The visitor enters a rhythmic soundscape with life size film projection of elderly people dancing. The projection of this dance is around the walls that surround the visitor(s) in a small space 1200 X 2400mm. The proximity and immediacy of this virtual field engenders both an intimate and energised field for physical bodies. The semi-enclosure produced a comforting screen for activity within, as well as sneak previews from the outside.
(3) Research Significance (approx. 75 words)
This work continues the exploration of representing architectural framing of ‘culture and identity’ and ‘reframing’ architecture through extra-architectural media (film) - as a way to revise its value.
The creative work explores new ways for cultural exchange, building on the ‘Open Studio’ model established in the Vacant Geelong project. Bringing this ‘Oro’ dance into the CBD Geelong is an exploration of a spatio/geo-cultural exchange between centres and peripheries. With the thousands of visitors to Geelong After Dark it explored another two forms of exchange –the effect of enclosure and architecture (the small space) and the affect of life-size bodies dancing.
Research statement
a.tOriginal creative work in Sensory Portal 3 (Location 14 in the GAD map and programme). Mirjana Lozanovska (a + b) is lead author of this work - conceptualisation and development; with the #VG team, Anne Scott Wilson (Creative Arts), Cameron Bishop (Creative Arts) and Akari Nakai Kidd (a + b). Its title ‘ORO’ refers to a traditional circular Macedonian dance and it is performed by elderly Macedonians who had worked at Ford factory. The circular dance is rhythmic (and has the distinctive 7/8 rhythm base) and depends on each individual working towards a collective dance. Dance was a way that Macedonian workers were relieved from the grind of manufacturing work, but this dance also resonates with the repetitive and relentless machinic pace. The individual is carefully balanced within the demand for production and the collective ideal, but the ORO reminds each generation of the ways lives are bound into a momentum and force.
This work continues the exploration of representing architectural framing of ‘culture and identity’ and ‘reframing’ architecture through extra-architectural media (film) - as a way to revise its value.
The creative work explores new ways for cultural exchange, building on the ‘Open Studio’ model established in the Vacant Geelong project. Bringing this ‘Oro’ dance into the CBD Geelong is an exploration of a spatio/geo-cultural exchange between centres and peripheries. With the thousands of visitors to Geelong After Dark it explored another two forms of exchange –the effect of enclosure and architecture (the small space) and the affect of life-size bodies dancing.
Publication classification
J1 Major original creative work
Extent
6 colour photographs
3 short bursts
1 pdf brochure
1 pdf GAD programme
1 text
1 MP4 file
Editor/Contributor(s)
Nakai Kidd A
Recognition, awards & prizes
The three Sensory Portals in 2019 Geelong After Dark were a special new feature. The VG team were one of three artist teams to be invited to instal their work in a Sensory Portal.
Event
Geelong After Dark. Exhibition (2019 : Geelong, Victoria)
Publisher
Geelong After Dark, Council of Greater Geelong
Place of publication
Geelong After Dark - Town Hall Forecourt Location 14 in the GAD map and programme