Extreme Arts Walk – Mountain to Mouth (M~M) is calling on artists based in Australia, or overseas, to submit an Expression of Interest for a major $20,000 Australian Ephemeral Sculpture Commission – called Canoe.
The Canoe Commission has been made possible by funding from the Australia Council for the Arts. As one of most unique ephemeral sculpture commissions now offered in Australia, the Canoe sculpture will be the lead processional image of M~M2016 – Geelong’s multi-award winning 80km extreme arts walk.
In 2007, M~M was envisaged as a contemporary songline in consultation with traditional owners and advisors. Songlines have been used by Indigenous cultures across Australia for thousands of years to navigate country. The paths of the songlines are recorded in traditional songs, stories, dance, and paintings. A songline can span the lands of several different language groups and nations. The melodic contour of the song describes the nature of the land over which the song passes. Listening to the song of the land is said to be the same as walking the songline and observing the land.
The route is punctuated with edgy artworks commissioned for M~M, bringing people together through shared experiences of extreme arts that celebrate our land. In the tradition of Wadawurrung, M~M creates a contemporary songline across the Geelong and Queenscliffe regions.
As a biennial “journey of discovery” in 11 stages over two days (Friday 6 May to Saturday 7 May, 2016) M~M begins at the You Yangs mountain range, crossing Geelong’s industrial heartland at nightfall and arriving in the city centre to collide with Geelong After Dark, a night of extreme and unexpected arts.
At dawn the next day, the extreme arts walk continues through the city centre to join the Barwon River, through rolling Bellarine farmland, along ocean beach to reach river mouth at Barwon Heads by sunset.
Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons said he was looking forward to seeing the Canoe, in action during M~M2016. “M~M is about land and people and it’s about art bringing these two together which is fantastic,” said Mayor Lyons. “I encourage local, national and international artists to be part of this major cultural event.”
Tasked with a theme of “AIR”, the successful applicant will be responsible for the design, build and transport of Canoe and will have experience in the field of processional image making, installation art, and/or three dimensional construction. Collaborations will also be considered for this commission.
City of Greater Geelong Councillor Andy Richards Portfolio Holder for Arts & Culture thanked the Australia Council for the Arts for providing a significant cash contribution to the project.
M~M Artistic Director, Meme McDonald said that M~M is a bold artistic gesture in timid times.
“This extreme arts walk anchors us to the land. Canoe will be carried along the 80km route by Geelong ambassadors – an iconic image of journey, of migration, of carrying memory, and carrying the story of this land.”
Artists are to submit (up to 10) images of previous work, a CV and a Statement of Interest.
For further information contact the M~M Production Team on +61 3 5272 4703 or mtom@geelongcity.vic.gov.au
Submissions close 8 February, 2016.
Gathering of the Elders Ceremony, M~M2014
Photo by Anne Buckley