International Artist to lead workshops and create a Living Stage in Armidale

Internationally acclaimed artist Tanja Beer will be in Armidale this week to lead workshops teaching the ancient Japanese art of kokedama plant crafting.

“This is the first part of the process that will create a Living Stage for the 2016 Black Gully Music Festival to be held on 12 November,” said Andrew Parker, EcoArts Australis. “Tanja will work with the Armidale community to create the stage – a work that combines design, permaculture and community engagement to create recyclable, biodegradable and even edible performance spaces!”

Tanja Beer is a researcher and practitioner in ecological design for performance and is the creator of The Living Stage. She has more than 15 years professional experience and has worked on numerous projects in Australia including at the Sydney Opera House and Melbourne International Arts Festival, and overseas including projects in Vienna, London, Cardiff and Tokyo.

“She will be in Armidale this weekend to commence work on her next project,” Mr Parker said. “This year’s Black Gully Music Festival promises to be bigger than ever before – incorporating everything that we love and adding some more.”

Tanja is one of four artists who will be in residence as part of EcoArts Australis’ Ephemera — Art of the Impermanent.

Ephemera brings together artists in residency on and around Black Gully in weeks leading up to the Black Gully Music Festival. The project explores the site and engages the community through extending their experience and understanding of the concept of ephemeral art as a response to the environment.

According to Mr Parker, art works will be created and placed in the Black Gully site. Over time the works will decompose into the landscape. The project will also include artist talks, workshops and community collaborations.

“On Saturday 17 September, Tanja will lead the first of her workshops in Armidale,” Mr Parker said. “Kokedamas will be a highly visible, beautiful feature of the Festival’s Living Stage. Saturday’s workshop will teach the art of kokedama plant-crafting. It will also offer the opportunity to develop skills that will enable keen participants to guide community workshops and pass on those skills to others.”

“Everyone involved will be an integral part of the creative team that will turn the Black Gully Music Festival’s Living Stage into a reality!”

The Kokedama workshops are being held at the Packsaddle Studio, New England Regional Art Museum at 10.30am and at 11.30am on Saturday 17 September.

To book your place visit the EcoArts website 

Bookings are essential. For enquiries, call {mobile prefix oh four}27 141 482.

‘This project is supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Communications and the Arts’ Festivals Australia program.’