This year, ‘Mapping Melbourne’, a presentation of contemporary art exploring themes of ‘Asia and Identity’, features established and emerging contemporary artists from China, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia, India, Thailand, Japan, Vietnam and Malaysia. From 1 to 17 December the festival will showcase a full program of visual art events including live art, multidisciplinary collaborations, music, contemporary dance, film screenings and photography, workshops and a series of public programs in galleries, and at cultural venues across the City of Melbourne.
“Mapping Melbourne is a platform for strengthening arts networks between contemporary independent artists across the Asian region, building connections and establishing collaborative ongoing relationships, and presenting challenging work”, said Jill Morgan, CEO, Multicultural Arts Victoria.
“We are thrilled to present performances from international collaborators such as dancer and choreographer Angela Liong from Singapore and visual artists Zhang Qiang, Huang Yan and Wang Xiaoming from China. We are also excited to collaborate with artists based in Australia including dancer and choreographer Victoria Chiu and architect-turned-photographer Sonia Sarangi”, Morgan adds.
2016 program of events includes;
Moyi: Ink Art a live-art installation of Chinese calligraphy scrolls featuring work by senior artists from China – Zhang Qiang, Huang Yan and Wang Xiaoming. In the evening, the space will become a live-music collaboration, by Australian-Chinese guzheng player Mindy Meng Wang and acclaimed Australian trumpeter, composer and sound artist, Peter Knight.
Friday 2 December, 7-9pm, Deakin Edge, Federation Square
Desivolution by Sonia Sarangi is a photography exhibition exploring the contribution of the recently arrived Indian diaspora to Melbourne; the design and architecture of the Indian restaurant from the curry house to fine dining.
2 to 15 December (Thurs 1 Dec, 6-8pm), Magnet Galleries
Mini Mapping: Symphony of Boxes an installation of bold, colourful imagery inspired by 1950’s Pop Art that expresses the everyday lives, dreams, joys and inspirations of students from Melbourne’s New Star Art School.
3 to 8 December, Fracture Gallery at Federation Square
Crossing: Beyond Baliseering this exhibition features an extraordinary collection of paintings, sculptures and large-scale installations that explore and reflect the visual and social culture of Bali by emerging Indonesian artists.
7 to 16 December, fortyfivedownstairs
Fire Monkey is a collaborative performance work, inspired by the Chinese Zodiac calendar and the I Ching by Singapore-based Asian dance laboratory, The Arts Fission Company, and Melbourne-based choreographer and dancer Victoria Chiu
Friday 9 and Saturday 10 December, 8.30-9.15pm, Arts Centre Melbourne Lawn
Steps experience a new perspective on Indian traditions with this performance work by Sivaganga Sahathevan and her classical music ensemble, Taste of India, in collaboration with Studio J, a new dance space run by independent artist Jaya Karan. Also from Studio J, Priya Srinivasan and Arun Muñoz will create a site specific work ‘Rates of Exchange’.
16 December, 12-1pm, Old Treasury Building
Presented by Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV), supported by the City of Melbourne, Creative Victoria, Australia Council for the Arts, Besen Foundation, Project 11 and PBS FM.
1 to 17 December, 2016
For the full ‘Mapping Melbourne’ festival program visit multiculturalarts.com.au
Top: The Arts Fission Company
Photograph: Koh Beng Chye
Middle: Zhang Qiang, Huang Yan and Wang Xiaoming installation view
Courtesy the artists and Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV)
Bottom: Victoria Chiu
Photograph: Gregory Lorenzutti