EMBASSY Exhibition Opening at Pin-up Architecture and Design Project Space

Phillip Adams (BalletLab) and Matthew Bird (Studiobird) invite you to EMBASSY

Choreographer/performer Phillip and architect Matthew announce their premiere exhibition launch at Pin-up Architecture and Design Project Space. Held from 27-29 March and launched from 6pm-9pm (performance 7pm) Thursday 27 March. The dynamic duo began collaborating on BalletLab’s Aviary 2011, Melbourne Festival and Tomorrow 2012, and recently Future Wagon as part of NGV Melbourne Now. Through researching and developing their new project–EMBASSY– at Pin-up, Phillip and Matt extend their experimental performative-architecture practice. We invite you to the first iteration of EMBASSY to experience this unique collaboration. We congratulate the artists on the commemorative exhibition and look forward to seeing you there!

Full details

Venue: The Compound Interest 15-25 Keele Street, Collingwood.

Wine Sponsor: Thank you to Yering Station

Image credit: Matthew Bird

BalletLab presents THUMB a performance in progress

And now for the moment we have all been waiting for as BalletLab takes you to the extreme edge of f*ck up… It has been a long time coming and Phillip is nearly ready to unleash on the world his new solo performance in progress work THUMB.

THUMB, a cross-disciplinary performance work that explores the psychology of scale–the Gigantic and the Miniature. Drawing on Norwegian fairy tale Peer Gynt and inspired by size changing themes used in films of the 1950s and 60s such as The Incredible Shrinking Man and Fantastic Voyage with a mixture of film references to cult movie Troll Hunters (2010).

In THUMB you will be asked to participate in a guided hypnosis and sound relaxation experience allowing your sub-conscious mind to fill with exaggerated scale shifting imagery of mountains, caves and snow caped peaks. "It was a bit like a hypnotic expedition in some cinematic giant adventure film that journeys northwards towards an ancient earth art ritual”

You have to imagine it’s Phillip at his most unexpected self, drawing you a sense of wonder and delight experienced as a child when confronted by hyper-real, constructed worlds, portrayed in film or captured in art. 

There are a very small number of seats available for the first in first shrunk. Book your FREE participation pass now. For mature audiences 15+.

Dates: 6:30pm on April 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10 and 11

Venue: The Coopers Malthouse Tower Theatre, 113 Sturt St, Southbank

Artists: Phillip Adams, direction, concept, film and performer; David Franzke, sound design; Jon Cardiano, costume; Anna Helme, film editing

Dior Dior Dior

Oh, so fashionable an occasion it was when BalletLab presented OUTLINE, a homage to French fashion icon Christian Dior during NGV Melbourne Now Performance Program on February 23rd. Melbourne’s fashion and designer dream team: Toni Maticevski, Richard Nylon, Ray Barry and Rachael Bernhaut performed together with BalletLab’s most treasured and darling choreographer/performer Brooke Stamp. Heads turned when the dashing Edgar Wegner made a cameo appearance with Pablo the adorable pet dachshund.

On the day the artist re- structured the Dior "New Look 1947” as contemporary fashion and art performance. The artists acknowledge the twentieth century fashion house du jour, the remittance of photographers, and the professed glamour of Dior. And our very own Melbourne salon precinct as was the case with several leading studios at the ‘Paris end of Collins’ (Melbourne) whom specialised in commercial fashion illustration, creating enchanting images of ideal beauty and perfection for public consumption in the 40s, 50s and 60s.  

Mwah mwah, we love you Dior and a huge thank you to NGV’s curatorial team and Anthony Hamilton.

So chic an occasion it was as seen here Brooke wearing a Toni Maticevski inspired Christian Dior cocktail dress and a Richard Nylon new look sculpted wrap.

Image credit: Rachael Bernhaut - view more images here

Phillip returns from Banff Centre Canada

While on the other side of the world Phillip was guest facilitator alongside Canada's acclaimed choreographer and artist Benoit Lachambre at the prestigious Banff Centre’s Interrarium program.  Phillip spent two weeks working with fifteen interdisciplinary performance practitioners exploring the very edges of their research in a studio exchange aspiring to the not yet existing, the new and transgressive, and whatever opens up new horizons.

Image credit: Dana Rayment

Opportunities

Open Studio, Inner Workings Lucy Guerin, 17-21 March

Inner Workings invites audiences to experience a rare and unscripted glimpse into the working life of Melbourne's most important and influential contemporary dance companies. Artistic Director Lucy Guerin invites audiences to view their creative process with open studios during the development of new productions. More info

Festival of Live Art, 14-30 March

There are only two weeks left of the new live art festival FOLA, a Melbourne-born festival proudly and uniquely brought to you by Arts House, Footscray Community Arts Centre and Theatre Works. View the Program and catch a performance, experience or happening, whether an intimate one-on-one or dazzling show-biz spectacle before it's too late!

Love is Blind by Russell Dumas, 28-30 March

Love is Blind is the first part of a series of works by Australia’s iconic choreographer Russell Dumas, set to explore the ways in which the senses have effect and affect on human emotion. Supported by Schubert’s immortal song cycles, the work investigates the intricate relationship between sight and sound, with focus upon how seeing is invariably shaped by what we hear. Bookings

One Body, One Career Countertechnique Intensive applications close 2 April

Chunky Move will again host the 2014 One Body, One Career intensive from July 14 – 25. Designed and curated by Chunky Move Artistic Director, Anouk van Dijk, the 2014 intensive will be conducted in conjunction with Countertechnique Master Teacher, Nina Wollny and American Alexander Technique expert, Tom Koch. Click here to download the application form.

Sidney Myer Creative Fellowship 2014

The Sidney Myer Fund plays a significant role in upholding the integrity of Australia's cultural life by directly supporting outstanding artists and cultural thinkers at a significant point in their early-mid career. Submissions are now being accepted. Submissions close 1 June 2014. More info

2014 Melbourne Fringe Festival, 17 Sept. - 5 October

Keep your eye out here as the Expressions of Interest to perform in a Fringe Hub venue open on Monday 7 April, 2014. (New to Melbourne Fringe? The Fringe Hub is a special precinct of venues in North Melbourne that presents a broad cross-section of the independent arts scene. It’s also where you’ll find the bright lights of the Fringe Club).