Are you a dreamer? What role does art, music and performance have in modern day politics? Do art and activism have a unique relationship in the Northern Rivers?
NORPA, Lismore Regional Gallery and Northern Rivers Conservatorium are hosting a free afternoon of art, conversation, music and stories from 1:30pm on Saturday August 9th at Lismore City Hall as part of Arts in August.
AN AFTERNOON OF ARTFUL ACTIONS will feature short story readings from a new NORPA Generator work in development called Dreamer; live music from the Con’s Youth Jazz Orchestra; a lively panel discussion about the relationship of art and activism; a collection of artworks curated by Lismore Regional Gallery as an extension of their current Protest Songs- Artful Actions exhibition; and a pop-up diner catered by Olive & Luca and bar will operate throughout the afternoon.
AN AFTERNOON OF ARTFUL ACTIONS will also herald the launch of local arts alliance Creative Lismore whose role is to support and strengthen the arts and cultural sector in Lismore and Nimbin.
NORPA – insight into new Generator work ‘Dreamer’
As part of the development of a new Generator work NORPA have invited four prolific local writers – Mandy Nolan, Melissa Lucashenko, Jim Hearn and S Sorrensen – to each write a story inspired by ‘dreamers’ that capture the unique spirit of the Northern Rivers. These funny, touching and poignant stories will be read by the authors on the afternoon (Melissa Lucashenko’s story will be read by Rhoda Roberts).
The stories will introduce you to Tony from Lismore who has locked on and is refusing to budge at Bentley; Dean Simmons, a screenplay writer who refuses to let go of his dreams despite an imploding family situation; Ellie who falls in love at rehab with a kickboxer from Byron Bay; and Jean who has became embroiled in a family tragedy while working on a farm at Crabbes Creek.
LISMORE REGIONAL GALLERY – Exhibition and Panel Discussion
Exhibition
Lismore Regional Gallery have curated an additional exhibition of artworks that will open on the Afternoon of Artful Actions on August 9 and will be on display at Lismore City Hall until 6 September. This collection of works is an extension of the Gallery’s current exhibition, Protest Songs: Artful Actions. The Lismore City Hall exhibitionwill feature works by Benny Zable and David Lowe, Indonesian/Australian artist, Aris Prabawa, and Indonesian artist, Peter Gentur, Redback Graphix posters from the 1980s and photographs by Tim Hixson of inspiring handmade houses in the region. The exhibition combines local and universal concerns about choice, personal empowerment and power and who holds it.
Panel Discussion
Celebrated artists and writers Deborah Kelly, Leonie Lane, Rhoda Roberts and S Sorrensen will engage in a lively panel discussion Art Over Apathy: Art and a Better World
Sydney-based artist, Deborah Kelly’s insightful political art can be found in all manner of places from international galleries to public bus stops. Locally based artist/designer Leonie Lane was heavily involved with Redback Graphix in the 1980s (with slogans such as Torture Can Be Stopped, Artists for Peace and Put People First, these posters upheld ideologies of ‘peoples politics’). Rhoda Roberts is a force in the Australian arts scene. She has done incredible work to increase visibility of Aboriginal artists, writers and performers in her various roles such as Head of Indigenous Programming, Sydney Opera House and Director of the Boomerang Festival.
S Sorrensen is a much loved local writer, comedian and orator who spends time worrying about the world. And leaf blowers.
NORTHERN RIVERS CONSERVATORIUM – Youth Jazz Orchestra
The Northern Rivers Conservatorium’s Youth Jazz Orchestra will present original jazz arrangements of protest songs from across the decades – ‘changed-up’ especially for the Afternoon of Artful Actions.
The orchestra has been playing together since 2010 under the guiding hand of dedicated musician, improviser, teacher and community-minded rabble-rouser Julius Hofstetter. These skilled and committed young musicians play tunes from the songbooks of iconic composers such as George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, and Herbie Hancock.
“An Afternoon of Artful Actions is an example of what can be achieved when creative organisations such as this come together,” says Ros Derrett, Chair of Creative Lismore “Creative Lismore’s vision is for Lismore to be the pre-eminent centre for the arts in regional Australia. We think we can achieve this, given the breadth of talent and skill which exists in our area.”
AN AFTERNOON OF ARTFUL ACTIONS is a chance for the community to come together for a fun, entertaining and inspiring afternoon to celebrate, dream and explore art and activism in the Northern Rivers.
An Afternoon of Artful Actions
Saturday 9 August
1:30pm – 5pm
Lismore City Hall
FREE EVENT – everyone welcome
Presented by NORPA, Lismore Regional Gallery and Northern Rivers Conservatorium
More info at
www.norpa.org.au
www.artsinaugust.com.au
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