Jonathan Morton
Geelong After Dark; Immersive, Interactive, ...
Jonathan Morton
Helping you make the most of Geelong After Dark
Arts & Culture Geelong
Here they are - the Geelong After Dark Top 5
Jonathan Morton
Celebrate Mountain to Mouth at After Dark
Arts & Culture Geelong
Amazing arts experiences for families

"Love is in the air" at Geelong After Dark 2016!

We're throwing lots of love around at Geelong After Dark this year with "Love is in the Air"  - a colourful rainbow of colour to be splashed across the steps of the Geelong Gallery in a loving show of support for Geelong's LGBTIQ community. 

On 6 May (6-10pm) - come on down to the Gallery steps (Johnstone Park side) and snap as many bright smiling selfies as you like. Post your best to Instagram with the hashtags #loveisintheair and #geelongafterdark in support of Geelong's diverse community.

Artists Janne Kearney and Brett Fanning are designing the magnificent rainbow, which will stand proudly on the steps leading up to the Gallery. 

Miasma - Janne Kearney

Janne's work is full of texture and colour, whist also being described as iconoclastic... Janne says that she likes to "challenge or overturn traditional beliefs, customs, and values" and Geelong After Dark is proud to have Janne and her stunning repertoire on board!

Love is in the Air will be available all night at Geelong After Dark so get yourselves down to Johnstone Park and be a part of all the love that will be in the air!

Meet You After Dark. Geelong After Dark 2016 program released.

Geelong After Dark 2016’s full artist line up has now been released, with over 60 artists or groups transforming Central Geelong’s streets, laneways and venues, in a night of discovery.

On 6 May (between 6pm-10pm), the city will be full of an exciting mix of unique and surprising FREE performances, installations and arts experiences. This year, Central Geelong will be divided into four zones, where the activity will take place: Cultural Precinct, Little Malop Street, Moorabool Street, and Waterfront Precinct.

The Telematic Cafe Part.2 

The Telematic Cafe Part.2 

Now in its third year, this free multi-award winning event will be Geelong’s biggest ‘pop up night of arts’ yet. With over 200 artists involved, thousands of people are anticipated to converge in Central Geelong after dusk to discover some of the region’s most edgy arts experiences, placed in some of the most unusual places.

Throughout the evening, people will have the choice to “Just Rock Up”, plan an evening using the program guide or choose one of five curated experiences now available on the Geelong After Dark website.

In a Geelong After Dark first, these curated experiences “Come With Us” will offer spectators the opportunity to choose an evening that specifically relates to their whims and interests. People can choose an evening of “Program Highlights”, “Music & Theatre”, “Multimedia & Visual Arts”, “Interactivity” and/or “Family Friendly” activities.

In another Geelong After Dark first, a Kids Treasure Hunt will get children and families roaming the CBD, hunting for clues and gathering stamps to win major prizes. Kids can collect their treasure maps from the Focus Five Building (Geelong After Dark info point) on Cnr Little Malop Street / Gheringhap Street.

Meet You After Dark.

#geelongafterdark

@geelongafterdark (instagram)

https://www.facebook.com/geelongafterdark

Brand Me Baby...Brand Me Good

Credit: Matt 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit: Matt Lucas

Brand Me Baby are a theatrical duo that convey powerful social messages through simple interactive acts. 

They will be roaming the streets at Geelong After Dark asking you to give them a hand with something... Brand them, baby, brand them good.

 

Nico Reddaway and Caitlin Telford are asking YOU to cover their bodies using badges of pixelated well-known logos. They're brands we can't help see everyday, logos that appear all so natural until you really think about what that means. Call it performative intervention or reflective art-piece, Brand Me Baby explores the creeping commodification of digital intimacy.

Credit: Matt Lucas

You will recognise these lovely ladies by their skin-tone body suits which represent the self before its blurred with a commercial identity. 

Fresh from the likes of Melbourne's Midsumma Festival, Brand Me Baby are looking to get stuck in at Geelong After Dark. They can't do it without you, so make sure you get all up in their personal space when you bump into them on May 6. Till then catch a glimpse of them storming the Art Town Festival in Prahan last year. 

Brand Me Baby was an interactive performance work, over four hours at Prahran for the Art Town Festival 2015, performed by Caitlyn Telford and Nico Redfern.

Get to know Brand Me Baby more by checking out their Facebook and by following the daring artists behind it. Come and see them after dark!

Nico Reddaway | Tumblr  

Caitlin Telford | Website

 

...Projections!

Projections are back this time around at Geelong After Dark with amazing pieces to be lighting up the City's most loved buildings and spaces.  Led by the enigmatic Matt Bonner (creatively known as Amoebart), the front of City Hall will be wondrously transformed for the night - all with the amazing power of projection lighting.

Sneak peak from Matt Boner's Geelong After Dark - Breathe

Matt has been creating Projection Art for the past 16 years with large scale building projection his main focus since 2011. 

“Everywhere I go I find myself looking at buildings and wondering what it would be like to project on them”.

Sneak peak of Matt's second show -  Float  

Matt has two cool shows to exhibit on the night. The first show Breathe to kick it all off has the "columns expanding with each breath and the façade opening to reveal the heart of the building pumping to a rhythmic beat". (Matt says that this piece has been exceptionally challenging as he has had to reconstruct the building using visual effect software) 

While Float which will conclude the night, "stems from Matt's interest in surrealism and experimental art and music" and focuses on constructing an entrancing dream-scape environment. 

And this time along with fellow artist David Fromholtz, Matt will also be constructing a fully interactive projection light playground down on Customs Lawn. We know this is meant to be for the kids but we also know how tempting it can be to join in - promise we wont judge!

We can't wait for Matt to have everyone's eyes glued to City Hall so make sure you follow Amoebart on Facebook for exciting updates! 

Images taken from a virtual trial run ahead of Geelong After Dark 2016 (composition and colours may change)

Back to Back Theatre: coming soon in Portrait Form...

Ganesh Versus The Third Reich

If you haven't come across the work of Back to Back Theatre yet - then it's time to indulge in the work of the breathtaking stalwarts of contemporary theatre...

Back to Back Theatre is a theatre company driven by an ensemble of performers considered to have intellectual disabilities.

With a busy schedule of national and international touring productions, their work aims to challenge people’s perceptions on social issues with edgy content and contemporary ideas. 

Currently touring their show, Small Metal Objects in New Zealand, a show that has been "turn[ing] the notion of theatre and the everyday inside out" - it's no wonder that their ensemble members are the subject of much interest from Geelong's very own Steve Salo.

Steve Salo is an artist, who crafts his emotive oil portraits with an alternative edge. He has been working for months on a series of portraits of the ensemble members of Back to Back Theatre - which are set to be revealed at Geelong After Dark this year.

Check out a snapshot of some of Steve Salo's earlier work:

Passerby Collins Street

The Glance

"My intent as a contemporary portrait artist is to explore the human psyche through painting its complexities..." - Steve Salo

Steve Salo has been crafting his style since his school days in Geelong - developing his style with both purpose and patience. 

"Often it is the imagining of a picture that takes the most time; hours, days or weeks of pondering and unraveling as he sits capsuled in his couch in front of the easel..." 

Sarah Mainwaring, shortlisted for the Wyndham Art Prize 2016

This collaboration between Back to Back Theatre, Metropolis Gallery and Steve Salo is going to be a sure fire hit.

Keep up with Steve Salo's Back to Back portrait progression via Instagram and experience these incredible works at Geelong After Dark 2016.

Steve Salo
Back to Back Theatre
Metropolis Gallery

 

Creeping Off The Canvas with Naomi Nicholls

Naomi Nicholls is a painter, but some time ago she decided to stop people just looking at her work... and made them stand within it.

Naomi' exhibition in Westfield Knox called The Vault

Naomi likes to paint using the movement of her entire body, resorting to brooms and large calligraphy pens to craft her work. For her, it's all about the process just as much as the finished result. Her cool unique style involves painting onto removable vinyl that appears almost 3D within a space, extending out from it. Painting onto the vinyl this way gives the work its stunning vivid form.

 ...the vinyl is painted in the studio, usually taking up the whole floor with each length - Naomi Nicholls' The Making of Vault

Preparing The Vault in Naomi's studio

HOW DOES SHE DO IT? It all starts with sketches and colour plans in her studio - and then the first paint hits the vinyl. The installation is just as much a part of the process as well, taking many hours. The paintings are only finished when they finally sprawled energetically around the floors and walls of the space. 

You will instantly notice the bright, glossy colours that spill and overflow into each other, moving and entwining to create an image that can feel alive...

"...the edges of my wall-canvas were too far away to worry about.  When I did arrive at the wall’s edges, I began crossing its line and painting around the corner."
"I have a physical interaction with my painting at a scale that works for my long limbs.  I hope others sense that movement too." - Naomi Nicholls' Breaking Up With The Arts Object

Naomi's paintings mess with the notion of where art should and shouldn't be. You are just as likely to see her work tucked away in a small window, emblazoned on a concrete wall or in a shopping centre hallway - as you are in a traditional art studio. 

The exhibition Radius and Extension

Naomi is working on something special for Geelong After Dark 2016, which will become a part of the city streets for one night only...see it before it's gone by morning.

But of course - in the meantime, get familiar with more of Naomi's work via her awesome blog. 

Ukes D'Jour: Playing it hard, Playing it Rock and Roll

The cool street-slamming style of Ukes D’Jour will be hitting Geelong After Dark this May, showering our ears with their “bouncy old time swing...” .

The Uke legends, Ukes D'Jour kicking it at Geelong After Dark 2015

The Geelong local Bluegrass/Jug/Jazz street band joined us before their return to Geelong After Dark for a good ol’ fashioned lightning round of Q&A.

You are named after it, some of you play it, but why the love for the Ukulele?

We love the accessibility of the ukulele. Within minutes a new player can grasp the basics and be able to join in. For people who have never mastered an instrument before - this is an absolute joy. The ukulele bug can strike the heart of even more experienced musos because of its potential for beautiful and diverse sounds. It's a social instrument that brings all levels of musicianship together.

We all still play and love our ukes but we now mix it up with other instruments that take our fancy...double bass, guitar, banjo, mandolin, and saxophone.

Tell us about the birth of Ukes D’Jour and your fondness for ‘Jug’ and ‘Old Time Swing’.

The name Ukes D'Jour is a play on the idea of 'Soup D'Jour' (soup of the day) because whoever turned up on a particular day was a part of the band. Mike and Herc (band members) set us on the path towards old time jug and swing music from the 20's and 30's and from there we all grew to love the bouncy rhythms and crazy lyrics about gamblers and tarts of old.

What’s the best part of playing with a fun mix of young and not as-young bluegrass lovers?

Its so cool that our 'young'ns' want to hang out with the grey heads - they are now seriously starting to show us up! Hayden (band member) is a rock with the chunky beat on his banjo uke, Elliot (another band member) has the stance and style of a blues harp maestro; and Tom (another band member) knocks us out with his mandolin and guitar breaks. We're fostering the next wave. A mix of young and old allows us to be unique.

You're back again for Geelong After Dark, what was the best thing about playing in the streets last time around?

We loved Geelong After Dark in 2015, there was so much happening. We all enjoyed the fantastic vibe and the family friendly environment. Last year we had a 'join the band' theme and we got around 50 people playing along with us. Geelong After Dark is great for bringing everyone into the streets. With so many interesting pop up performances - people just love it!

Tell us about the show you have in store for Geelong After Dark 2016?

Well, as you know this year's theme is 'Air' - so we plan to blow up a bit of a storm for people who come and see us perform. We will bring out your inner muso and help you find your finger plucking forte. We'll be playing it hard and playing it rock and roll. 

But that's all I can tell you.... You'll just have to be there!

What do you love most about being musicians in and around Geelong?

We play at so many great festivals, and love getting out there on the streets or on stage. We love seeing people smiling and tapping their toes as they walk towards us. To be 'scientifically specific' playing music is all about 'endorphins, serotonin and good vibes - what's not to love?

Catch Ukes D'jour at Geelong After Dark 2016, for a dose of their infectious energy. Follow them on Facebook.

Anyone For a Spot of Night Skipping?

Ever wanted to join in a massive game of jump rope - just like in the school yard? Geelong After Dark 2016 Artist, Ainslie Macaulay is getting people excited for what will be one of the biggest games of jump rope in Australia - right in the heart of Geelong.

Jump Light at the Old Melbourne Gaol

What's not to like about a huge nine-metre long skipping ripe, constructed with countless LED lights? 

This fun installation piece will delight all those who dare to play - with a sensual new experience to a universally loved past time. We're pretty sure you haven't thrown all care to the wind, so take a stroll into Geelong After Dark this year on 6 May and get ready to skip the night away!

"I'm really excited to be exhibiting Jump Light at this years Geelong After Dark ... still coming down from the fun whirlwind of White Night last month" - Ainslie Macaulay

Fresh from Melbourne's White Night, Jump Light will be in Geelong this May only for Geelong After Dark, where five of these awesome skipping ropes will await you...

Oh, and before you head into the city, get to know the fabulous artist behind the skipping rope sensation: Ainslie Macaualay.

Confessing Your Thoughts Inside a Caravan...

Step inside the cosy caravan and be a part of the artwork at Geelong After Dark this year with the amazing new project – Blood Sex Tears. A funky old caravan turned art installation is the space that allows you 30 seconds for The Grand Caravan’s audio expert Sharyn Brand to turn your thoughts into a compilation of moving sound art.

We got an insight from Sharyn and Dan Goronszy from The Grand Caravan (the amazing artists behind the work) about their exciting new project before they hit the streets of Geelong this May.

The Caravan is a space for you to say everything or nothing at all. Your topics are either Blood, Sex, or Tears. This piece of installation art thrives on everything from earth shattering confessions to moving sentimentality and everything in between.  All the human emotions that can be expressed through your voice are at the very core of this exciting new work.

For Sharyn and Dan, the subtle differences in each person’s recording express more than people can imagine. They hold dear to them the self agency of art that incorporates the audience into the finished product. Blood Sex Tears is for both the artist and the audience, with many people noting the dual nervous and cathartic elements to the piece. The guys from the caravan hope you will surprise yourself as you become wrapped up in the human complexity within such as basic task.

Inside the Caravan you find only an old tape recorder and your own company. This is your tool, and what you do with it is up to you. Close the door on the outside world… 

… After you emerge, Sharyn will piece together the audio to fully create the magic of the Blood Sex Tears encounter, piecing the art together rather than crafting it. “It’s their story, not my story. I don’t want to be heavy handed”. Sharyn’s finished sound art will grow to tell a collective tale of all who have been inside.

Want to hear the finished product? Well, you can do that too. The Grand Caravan will premiere their finished sound art after the recording phase of the installation has ended. It’s the second half of the installation that is just as inspiring as the first and one that is a "must do" to properly finish of your Blood Sex Tears experience at Geelong After Dark 2016.

The Grand Caravan has been likened before to the Tardis time capsule. You can never quite imagine how much is locked inside. So open the door and take a seat.

The Grand Caravan

Dan Goronszy - Performer | Sharyn Brand - Sound Artist

Artist callout: join M~M and Geelong After Dark in 2016 to create extreme art

Photographer: Pix by Matt

Expressions of Interest are now being sought from artists and performers to be involved in two major arts events – M~M2016 and Geelong After Dark 2016.

M~M2016 (Mountain to Mouth) is Geelong’s Extreme Arts Walk -  a biennial 80km walk in 12 stages across the Geelong and Queenscliffe regions. Along the way, the route will be punctuated by “extreme art”, including a mix of visual arts, soundscape, sculpture, performance, dance, interactive, new media and more.

12 paid commissions are now available for emerging and established artists/creatives to create this extreme art, in the form of ‘walking circles’. These walking circles will be positioned in surprising and unusual locations across the 80km walk, and will express something about the unique nature of the locality and its community. For more information, please visit www.mountaintomouth.com.au.

As Geelong’s “one night only” pop up night of arts – Geelong After Dark 2016 will bring the heart of the city to life with free pop-up performances, mini-exhibitions and installations. A night of discovery of short, sharp and edgy art – spaces across the city centre will transform after dark into something exciting, unexpected, and very much alive.

Geelong After Dark is now encouraging artists to submit proposals for a short performance or installation, to be located across the city centre. For more information, please visit www.geelongafterdark.com.au.

The theme chosen for M~M2016 and Geelong After Dark is AIR.  

Cr Andy Richards said that this is great opportunity for emerging and established artists and performers to be involved in two major cultural events

“M~M is our city’s biggest cultural celebration of extreme art,” said Cr Richards.

“If you love surprises, Geelong After Dark is a fantastic highlight part of the event, featuring stunning visual displays, music and art in the CBD for one night only.”  
“We are looking for performers and artists to get involved with both events next year. Now is the time to express your interest in being part of the exciting experience.”