ELEMENTAL
Poetry + Video + Music at the Planetarium
'…As if to emphasise that, the surprise hit of this
year's Melbourne International Arts Festival, which began at the weekend, is Elemental, a melding of music and poetry
at the Melbourne Planetarium. Last night's show was an extra one in response to
the surprising sell-out of the original program. Even the organisers had not
foreseen poetry as hit material'. The Age
The WORLD PREMIERE was part of the 2009 Melbourne International Arts Festival held
at the Melbourne Planetarium, Spotswood.
Elemental is a unique exploration of science, mind and the infinite universe showcased under the spectacular dome theatre of the planetarium. Poets, musicians, sound and video artists - and world renowned science writer John Gribbin - have collaborated to present the world of the most literary, dazzling and passionate stars.
For centuries, poets have looked to the skies and attempted to scribble meaning into the galaxies. The novelist Peter de Vries once wrote, 'The universe is like a safe to which there is a combination, but the combination is locked up in the safe.' What if we had a key, even if only for a moment? What if we could measure, in words, what we have only imagined? Einstein took the view, 'the most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible.' What if he is right? The artists involved in this show explore four different theories of the beginnings of the universe: The Big Bang, The Theory of Everything, Dark Matter and M Theory. Are these the lost poetic lectures of the beginning of time?
The show has many exciting components: Legendary UK experimental musicians Nurse with Wound have contributed a new piece commissioned especially for Elemental, based on the theory that the resonant frequency of the Big Bang was F#. The memorable voice of the late Dr Carl Sagan - the writer and creator of the award-winning series Cosmos - was on loan for one of the works. And Martin Bush, the curator of Science Communication at the Melbourne Planetarium, used his astronomical artistry and skill to guide audiences through the night sky to where the poets, sound artists and video were waiting, alone with you.
Elemental will be touring in 2011, always ever changing and still dazzling. For information: please contact me.
Elemental 2009 artists included: Alicia Sometimes, Emilie Zoey Baker, Sean M. Whelan, Paul Mitchell, Ai Yamamoto, Mim Whiting, Nat Bates, Ruben Hilario, Lawrence English, Rob Kennedy, Andrew Watson, Chris Nelms, Alice Garner, Claire Fischer, Martin Bush and costume design by Sootie Barczak.
Reviews on Elemental
The implications of modern astrophysics inspire an intriguing and immersive multimedia collaboration at the Melbourne Planetarium.
Before we begin, future festival artists take note: the comfy recliners, surround sound and a half dome screen of the planetarium provide an unfair advantage. The opening sweeps of planetary imagery had a good part of the audience giggling like little kids. They were now putty in the hands of the poets.
Elemental is almost beyond
definition. It's an exploration of quantum physics and modern cosmology through
video art, music, poetry and live performance. Yes, quantum physics. It
explores four key theories of modern astro-physics about the universe and how
it began, and is a collaboration between poets, musicians, sound and video
artists and world renowned science writer John Gribbin.
Arts Hub
As a performance venue, the possibilities the planetarium provides are immense…
Elemental is sold out, which is a wonderful affirmation that people are interested in mixed-media, and in poetry and science. And of course, those of you lucky enough to have procured a ticket also get to eat free Kool Mints handed to you by funky space chicks in space boots (clearly this had a lasting effect on me). If you haven't got a ticket and this appeals (and why the hell wouldn't it?), best you start bribing anyone lucky enough to have one.
Australian Stage
As I left the planetarium I looked up. The stars seemed very still and quiet. And despite Melbourne's light pollution, just as poetic as they ever were.
The Age