Drug Aware presents: Illuminations
A$2,320
of $2,200 targetyrs ago
Successful on 10th Jan 2016 at 3:32PM.
As part of Grr Nights and FRINGE WORLD Festival 2016, six emerging West Australian artists will light up The Blue Room Theatre from 22nd January - 20th February.
Curated by Bridget Bathgate under the mentorship of Sarah Rowbottam, Drug Aware presents: Illuminations is proudly supported by Healthway, promoting the Drug Aware message and Propel Youth Arts WA. Illuminations is an eco-art exhibition that will explore the use of alternative sources of light through a curated series of installations. Each work will rely on the participation of The Blue Room Theatre patrons throughout this year's Summer Nights program, becoming powered and illuminated through their physical actions. This may be through the peddling of a handmade bicycle generator, the turning of a hand crank, or the cooperation of friendly bioluminescent bacteria (not naturally found in the cultural centre, of course).
Illuminations is an expression of collaboration between artwork and the individual. As a commentary on art's vulnerability in a state of ecological and economic collapse; without participation these works cannot activate, cannot illuminate and will go unseen. Through the interplay of concept and experience, and the use of sustainable practices, Illuminations will question our consumption of materials and asks: why does an object need to exist? If the world is ending, what is the role of art? How can we creatively respond to ecological collapse?
Illuminations is part of Grr Nights, an intimate performance festival run in collaboration with The Blue Room Theatre. For two weeks in February, from the 9th to the 20th Grr will host thirteen unique shows: from eco-cabaret to lovelorn clowns, from indie-pop choirs to spoken word, from dance to community debate and dinners. It incorporates the work of living with the act of creating art.
Find Illuminations on Facebook here.
ALEX TATE is an artist from Perth, WA working primarily in the digital medium, exploring relationships between the virtual and the natural worlds and the serendipitous nature and aesthetics of digital glitches. Alex is a Visualisation Technology major at Curtin University, working on artistic and innovative uses for virtual and augmented reality technologies and creative digital visualizations. In 2015, he worked on creating virtual art gallery environments and arduino-based virtual interfaces as well as surrealist world-building using the Oculus Rift head-mounted display. In the physical world, his work revolves around simple, plant based concepts and installations that pay homage to traditional ideologies surrounding the cultivated human use of natural materials and the natural world, as well as technological integrations and adaptions to plants and simple organisms.
BONNIE BOOGAARD gained her Bachelor of Arts from Curtin University in 2010 and studied abroad in Paris in 2011. Working mainly in textiles and watercolour she has exhibited pieces in local and Sydney based exhibitions. Her current work is based around recreating everyday objects through embroidery. She often finds her objects discarded in the street, old shopping lists, train tickets, cigarette butts. These objects serve a function and once that function is completed, they are then rendered useless. She attempts to imbue them with value by recreating them through hours and hours of hand embroidery. Each object is studied, every mark and crease recreated in as much detail as possible. Her intent is to bring attention to the mundane and overlooked objects through a sense of value and aesthetics.
EMMA BUSWELL is an artist and curator working in Perth. She graduated from Curtin University First Class Honours (Fine Art) in 2012. Her practice is concerned with alternative forms of gallery space and artistic facilitation. In 2013, Emma opened the temporary project and exhibition space - MaxART - in the Bankwest Tower, Perth. She has exhibited internationally and nationally and was selected to attend the Antonio Ratti Foundation, Italy in 2012. Earlier this year, Emma was selected to take part in a professional development on behalf of the Australia Council at the Venice Biennale.
KIERON BROADHURST is an artist based in Perth, WA. Through a diverse range of media, his work explores the speculative possibilities of fictional narratives and world building within contemporary art practice. This mode of practice has developed from a keen interest in science fiction, in particular the manner in placement of the author’s context as the history of a fictional future is able to reflect critically on aspects of contemporary culture and society. Kieron’s work often takes the form of layered interactions between drawing, text and sculpture. These elements are positioned as props to be utilised by the artist and viewer in the construction of the fictions of the work. Kieron is currently undertaking a PhD at Curtin University and is a key representative of the Martin Kippenberger Appreciation Society.
LOREN KRONEMYER is an internationally exhibiting artist from Los Angeles, California. Kronemyer's work involves exploring across disciplines to pursue ideas of interspecies communication, ecological agency, and self-annihilation. She came to Perth in 2011 to work with the SymbioticA lab, and since then has worked with scientific institutions such as the Centre for Sleep Science, Centre for Integrative Bee Research, CELLcentral, and the WA Herbarium. Her artwork has been featured by the Fremantle Art Centre, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, The Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, Next Wave Festival, Proximity Festival, and Perth International Arts Festival.
LYNDON BLUE is an artist from Perth. Across diverse mediums, he draws on pop, vernacular and esoteric traditions to explore ideas that span or collapse the mundane and the extravagant. His work often deals with chance aesthetic intrigue, 'magic' evocations and ritual, Australian idiosyncrasies, and art as tool for disrupting norms and reframing the banal. Blue has presented work at Kurb Gallery, House of Bricks (Collingwood), Camp Doogs and the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts. He performs in several experimental and pop music acts, and directs the Indigo Children project a vehicle for DIY events, publications, recordings and more.
Curated by Bridget Bathgate under the mentorship of Sarah Rowbottam, Drug Aware presents: Illuminations is proudly supported by Healthway, promoting the Drug Aware message and Propel Youth Arts WA. Illuminations is an eco-art exhibition that will explore the use of alternative sources of light through a curated series of installations. Each work will rely on the participation of The Blue Room Theatre patrons throughout this year's Summer Nights program, becoming powered and illuminated through their physical actions. This may be through the peddling of a handmade bicycle generator, the turning of a hand crank, or the cooperation of friendly bioluminescent bacteria (not naturally found in the cultural centre, of course).
Illuminations is an expression of collaboration between artwork and the individual. As a commentary on art's vulnerability in a state of ecological and economic collapse; without participation these works cannot activate, cannot illuminate and will go unseen. Through the interplay of concept and experience, and the use of sustainable practices, Illuminations will question our consumption of materials and asks: why does an object need to exist? If the world is ending, what is the role of art? How can we creatively respond to ecological collapse?
Illuminations is part of Grr Nights, an intimate performance festival run in collaboration with The Blue Room Theatre. For two weeks in February, from the 9th to the 20th Grr will host thirteen unique shows: from eco-cabaret to lovelorn clowns, from indie-pop choirs to spoken word, from dance to community debate and dinners. It incorporates the work of living with the act of creating art.
Find Illuminations on Facebook here.
Meet the Artists
ALEX TATE is an artist from Perth, WA working primarily in the digital medium, exploring relationships between the virtual and the natural worlds and the serendipitous nature and aesthetics of digital glitches. Alex is a Visualisation Technology major at Curtin University, working on artistic and innovative uses for virtual and augmented reality technologies and creative digital visualizations. In 2015, he worked on creating virtual art gallery environments and arduino-based virtual interfaces as well as surrealist world-building using the Oculus Rift head-mounted display. In the physical world, his work revolves around simple, plant based concepts and installations that pay homage to traditional ideologies surrounding the cultivated human use of natural materials and the natural world, as well as technological integrations and adaptions to plants and simple organisms. BONNIE BOOGAARD gained her Bachelor of Arts from Curtin University in 2010 and studied abroad in Paris in 2011. Working mainly in textiles and watercolour she has exhibited pieces in local and Sydney based exhibitions. Her current work is based around recreating everyday objects through embroidery. She often finds her objects discarded in the street, old shopping lists, train tickets, cigarette butts. These objects serve a function and once that function is completed, they are then rendered useless. She attempts to imbue them with value by recreating them through hours and hours of hand embroidery. Each object is studied, every mark and crease recreated in as much detail as possible. Her intent is to bring attention to the mundane and overlooked objects through a sense of value and aesthetics.
EMMA BUSWELL is an artist and curator working in Perth. She graduated from Curtin University First Class Honours (Fine Art) in 2012. Her practice is concerned with alternative forms of gallery space and artistic facilitation. In 2013, Emma opened the temporary project and exhibition space - MaxART - in the Bankwest Tower, Perth. She has exhibited internationally and nationally and was selected to attend the Antonio Ratti Foundation, Italy in 2012. Earlier this year, Emma was selected to take part in a professional development on behalf of the Australia Council at the Venice Biennale.
KIERON BROADHURST is an artist based in Perth, WA. Through a diverse range of media, his work explores the speculative possibilities of fictional narratives and world building within contemporary art practice. This mode of practice has developed from a keen interest in science fiction, in particular the manner in placement of the author’s context as the history of a fictional future is able to reflect critically on aspects of contemporary culture and society. Kieron’s work often takes the form of layered interactions between drawing, text and sculpture. These elements are positioned as props to be utilised by the artist and viewer in the construction of the fictions of the work. Kieron is currently undertaking a PhD at Curtin University and is a key representative of the Martin Kippenberger Appreciation Society.LOREN KRONEMYER is an internationally exhibiting artist from Los Angeles, California. Kronemyer's work involves exploring across disciplines to pursue ideas of interspecies communication, ecological agency, and self-annihilation. She came to Perth in 2011 to work with the SymbioticA lab, and since then has worked with scientific institutions such as the Centre for Sleep Science, Centre for Integrative Bee Research, CELLcentral, and the WA Herbarium. Her artwork has been featured by the Fremantle Art Centre, Perth Institute of Contemporary Art, The Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, Next Wave Festival, Proximity Festival, and Perth International Arts Festival.
LYNDON BLUE is an artist from Perth. Across diverse mediums, he draws on pop, vernacular and esoteric traditions to explore ideas that span or collapse the mundane and the extravagant. His work often deals with chance aesthetic intrigue, 'magic' evocations and ritual, Australian idiosyncrasies, and art as tool for disrupting norms and reframing the banal. Blue has presented work at Kurb Gallery, House of Bricks (Collingwood), Camp Doogs and the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts. He performs in several experimental and pop music acts, and directs the Indigo Children project a vehicle for DIY events, publications, recordings and more.How The Funds Will Be Used
A team of artists, engineers, organisers and mentors are currently working together to develop each work both conceptually and physically, with support from Propel Youth Arts WA and The Blue Room Theatre. We need the additional support from individuals to ensure that each work can successfully be produced, powered, installed. Please help us to make the following things happen:
MATERIALS - $1200
More than half of the funds raised will cover the material costs for each artist in developing their works. Each artist will receive $200 for their efforts.
THE BICYCLE - $500
Mitchell Buzza, Jerred Masters and Aaron Greaves are our lovely engineer team, who are hard at work building an electricity-generating bicycle. We think they're doing a pretty good job so far, having already designed a prototype that generates 160 watts. The other day they accidentally blew up a light bulb! We intend to create a bike that powers up to or exceeding 400 watts. Isn't it cute?!
PRODUCTION - $200
As well as the bicycle generator, our engineers and artists are working together to develop a series of motion-powered generators. We're excited to see what they come up with!
INSTALLATION - $200
With all those electricity generators comes a lot of fuses, cables, and other safety materials to ensure we don't blow up The Blue Room.
SIGNAGE - $100
We're working on some cute didactic panels to accompany each artwork - we want to make sure you know how great our artists are, and more importantly, how to illuminate their works!
ARTIST PAYMENTS
We want to make sure our artists and engineers know they're appreciated for their work. While the majority of funds raised are going towards developing each work, any remaining profit will be given directly to our creative team as a way to say thanks for their hard work.
MATERIALS - $1200
More than half of the funds raised will cover the material costs for each artist in developing their works. Each artist will receive $200 for their efforts.
THE BICYCLE - $500
Mitchell Buzza, Jerred Masters and Aaron Greaves are our lovely engineer team, who are hard at work building an electricity-generating bicycle. We think they're doing a pretty good job so far, having already designed a prototype that generates 160 watts. The other day they accidentally blew up a light bulb! We intend to create a bike that powers up to or exceeding 400 watts. Isn't it cute?!
PRODUCTION - $200
As well as the bicycle generator, our engineers and artists are working together to develop a series of motion-powered generators. We're excited to see what they come up with!
INSTALLATION - $200
With all those electricity generators comes a lot of fuses, cables, and other safety materials to ensure we don't blow up The Blue Room.
SIGNAGE - $100
We're working on some cute didactic panels to accompany each artwork - we want to make sure you know how great our artists are, and more importantly, how to illuminate their works!
ARTIST PAYMENTS
We want to make sure our artists and engineers know they're appreciated for their work. While the majority of funds raised are going towards developing each work, any remaining profit will be given directly to our creative team as a way to say thanks for their hard work.
The Challenges
Each artist’s work will rely heavily on the audience's physical involvement, discovering their location and how they can be activated. Our challenge will arise in producing and installing technical aspects of the exhibition, ensuring that each work is illuminated when interacted with.
Throughout the production and installation of each work, our artists and engineer team will be working together to troubleshoot issues that may arise. Already we have been working through challenges to create a bike that will power light bulbs without blowing them up, whilst still generating enough energy to power the works.
Throughout the production and installation of each work, our artists and engineer team will be working together to troubleshoot issues that may arise. Already we have been working through challenges to create a bike that will power light bulbs without blowing them up, whilst still generating enough energy to power the works.