The Aftermath Dislocation Principle landed in Geeveston this morning – the following story appeared in this week’s Huon News, don’t miss next week’s edition for the official launch of the installation…
As the second stage of the Federal and State Government funded arts based bushfire recovery Project X, Jimmy Cauty’s Aftermath Dislocation Principle (ADP) will arrive in Geeveston this Friday, September 6, located in Brady Street for the next couple of months, in a first for the internationally acclaimed artwork, which has never been shown in a regional town before.
The ADP is an outdoor, public artwork inside a 40-foot shipping container, where you will see a 1:87 scale model village of a miniature and mythical English town, reeling in the apocalyptic aftermath of a mysterious event.
The work is viewed through peep holes cut into the sides of the container and has been touring the world since 2013.
At each location a group of volunteer children (The Children of the Aftermath) are recruited to help facilitate, supervise and ‘activate’ the work, handing out visitor guides and ‘riot pamphlets’, answering questions about the work and generally engaging with the public.
Artist Jimmy Cauty has said that he believes that children and young people are the best and most enthusiastic ambassadors for the work.
Hobart based artist Billie Rankin will wrangle the Children of the Aftermath in Geeveston, and hosted an information session at the Geeveston Community Hall last Tuesday, along with Project X manager Lucy Bleach, community engagement officer Emma Peel and artist Andrew Harper, who is researching the historical and contemporary connection to riot in each town that ADP will visit, to produce a region specific pamphlet for the installation.
“I guess the reason why we use young people is that they are very good at understanding what authority is, and therefore to understand what it feels like to want to escape from authority,” said Billie.
“We’re not from this place, so it’s really important to have local, engaged voices talking about how they feel about the work and what it brings up.”
Billie said that The Children of the Aftermath are now invited to participate in a creative workshop to be held at the Geeveston Community Hall on Sunday, September 8 from 1.30pm until 3.30pm.
During the workshop the facilitators will work with young people to develop ways for the group to host ADP, and explore the role of authority in civic life, young people’s ideas of the future, and how children relate to power and control.
Billie said that The Children of the Aftermath should feel like the work is theirs and can interact with the public in whatever way they see fit.
There are two “invigilations” scheduled for The Children of the Aftermath in Geeveston, the first on Saturday, September 14 between 12.30pm and 4.30pm and the second on Thursday, October 3 (to coincide with the Geeveston Twilight Feast) between 5pm and 9pm.
Children aged between nine and 16 are invited to participate in either, or both.
For more information contact Emma Peel at emma.peel@darklab.net.au or simply show up at the workshop this Sunday.
Volunteers will receive a limited-edition ADP Riot hoodie and plenty of free pizza at the workshop.
They will also get the opportunity to flex their creative muscles, participate in an engaging workshop and gain valuable experience in the arts.
