Vacant Assembly
West End, Yuggera and Turrbal Country
May 17-19 2024
PUSH began as a conversation between the founders of Vacant Assembly; Laura Pascoe, Sam Eyles and Sarah Manderson. Their ambition was to develop a 3-day project of scheduled experimental activities, intended to provide a safe space for Creatives and Audiences to…
‘Step into a world where art crosses boundaries and transforms space. Push brings together a diverse group of artists, designers and performers who collaboratively responded to the word ‘push’ within the spatial context of Vacant Assembly. We invite you to explore interactive multi-sensory installations, disruptive social interventions, and captivating audiovisual experiences that challenge perceptions, spark dialogue and build connection. This exhibition is a celebration of collective experimentation, offering a thought-provoking journey through art that pushes boundaries and redefines the artistic landscape.’
I initially offered my support to this project as a materials and process advisor, with the intention of assisting others realise their creative ambitions. The project was necessarily delayed a number of times, some Artists left the group discussion and others joined. By the time this project was realised the list of creatives was...
Sam Eyles
Sarah Manderson
Sarah Seminutin
Wayne Talbot
Michelle Vine
Nadeem Tiafau
Zachary
Zac & Jen
Lincoln Austin
I eventually agreed to contribute more to the project, working collaboratively with three of the participating Artist, developing projected ‘colour code poems’ to interact with their artwork. Each Artist provided me with a text relating to their artwork that I colour coded into an animated alphabetic digital projection.
I was once my mountain 2024
Wayne Talbot with Lincoln Austin
Dreaming 2024
Sam Eyles with Lincoln Austin
Unfurled 2024
Sarah Seminutin with Lincoln Austin
The fourth digital projection, ‘Affirmation’, was the coded results of a poem I constructed, intended to be projected onto the bathroom mirror, illuminating the viewer while they observed their reflection. The text is a poetic affirmation to awaken, inform and validate participants.
Affirmation 2024
Lincoln Austin
Along side this projection artwork I hosted an ‘Unstill life drawing’ event, offering this body, remaining in consistent motion, to be scrutinised and drawn for 60 minutes by event participants.
'Historically the Artist/Model relationship is one of continually shifting complex dynamics.
Western 'Life Drawing’ begins with the Italian renaissance, ‘Naturalism’ requiring accuracy only achievable through direct observation, with Models often procured from the ‘lower’ classes.
By the 18th century Life Drawing was an essential element to a Western Art education, the human form scrutinised and precisely rendered, the teacher directing the Model's static poses.
Life drawing’s recent resurgence in popularity as a means of refining observational skills, an opportunity for a shared creative experience, and (I’m told) a hens night favourite, is now coupled with greater autonomy and respect for the Model.
What might happen if the Artist took on the Model’s role? How do you ‘render’ a Model who chooses movement over stillness (engaging with their yoga practice).
I don’t know, so let’s find out…Unstill Life Drawing'
Lincoln Austin March 2024
Unstill Life Drawining 'performance' 2024
Lincoln Austin
Kasha
2024
Laura Pascoe
2024
Thanks and gratitude to the crew of Vacant Assembly for proving all participants with space and support to PUSH our various practices into new exploratory territory.