From 4 June - 5 July 2009, The Light in Winter featured a variety of work and activities from global leaders in the field of illumination-based art, locally-based artists and multicultural communities, Fed Square businesses including Kirra Galleries and ACMI, and leading cultural and civic commentators.
Highlights of the 2009 Program included:
VOLUME
VOLUME is a field of luminous, sound-emitting columns that respond to visitors' movements to create an immersive, constantly shifting visual and musical experience. A collaboration between UK-based United Visual Artists and Neil Davidge and Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack, the installation consists of 47 columns of light, each with their own audio output. VOLUME was originally commissioned by the V&A London and its month-long residence at Fed Square represented the company's debut in Australia. Over 32 days, over 58,000 people personally interacted with this incredible work.
While in Melbourne for the Light in Winter, United Visual Artists also conducted a series of masterclasses and public panel discussions for students, creative industry professionals and the general public hosted by Fed Square and ACMI.
VOLUME - Julie Renouf
VOLUME - Marcel Aucar
The Gift of Light
In 2009 The Gift of Light brought together thirteen artists and community groups to explore the cultural significance of light. Each partnership produced a separate, light-based installation. The thirteen communities and groups represented included: Indigenous; Vietnamese; Afghan; Japanese; Latin American; North African; Indian; Turkish; Kiribati & Tuvalu - South Pacific; Greek; Italian; Burmese and the Centre for Multicultural Youth. The Gift of Light was produced in partnership with Footscray Community Arts Centre.
Artists who have created work for the Gift of Light include: Domenico de Clario, Konstantin Dimopoulos, Marc Pascal, Timothy Webster, Tamsin Sharp, Vicki Couzens, Andy Murray, Luke Adams, Jeph Neal, Amanda King, Carole Wilson and Jenny Hector.
The Gift of Light - Marcel Aucar
The Gift of Light - Ponch Hawkes
The Winter Solstice
On 20 June, Fed Square celebrated the coming of the Winter Solstice with a community celebration of music dance, storytelling and food. In collaboration with Footscray Community Arts Centre and local artists, over 200 performers and representatives from thirteen of our diverse community groups presented their Gift of Light installations to a crowd of over 5,000 people.
Winter Solstice - Marcel Aucar
Context
Lighting installations by Nathan Thompson of Melbourne-based, international stage and architectural lighting company, The Flaming Beacon transformed the Square into a glowing hub during the festival.
Context - Ponch Hawkes
Events, Forums & Exhibitions
In addition to the lightworks, The Light in Winter featured a number of related exhibitions, talks and events that were designed to explore and provoke discussion around light, enlightenment and hope.
Throw a Light - Fed Square's education department, Fed Ed, presented a complementary education program, Throw A Light, which was experienced by over 700 school children.
Kirra Galleries - light/glass exhibition, featuring new work by Tim Basset and Christian Arnold, among others.
Spectrum - curated by Lisa Keen, acga gallery at federation square
Digital Art Screen Program - on the Big Screen, featuring LED Aurora, Astral Trance and Light Play.
We've Lost our Marbles - Inspired by the Gift of Light installation, Black Parthenon by Kon Dimopoulos, this provocative panel discussion explored the ownership of cultural artefacts. Guest speakers included: Mike Green (Head of Indigenous Cultures, Melbourne Muesum) and David Hill (president of the International Association for the Reunification of the Parthenon Marbles).
