In2CHANGE – CELEBRATING THE END OF AN ERA
BELCONNEN BUS INTERCHANGE 1979-2009 RIP
The in2CHANGE project was a program of on site arts in the Belconnen Interchange from April 20-24, 2009. It was an initiative of the Belconnen Arts and Cultural Program that was made possible by collaboration with and support from many programs, organisations and individuals. The project also included an exhibition in Belconnen Gallery which ran from April 20 to May 8.
In2CHANGE was an immensely challenging, stimulating, exciting and rewarding project to direct and coordinate. I’d like to thank everyone involved. I’d also like to thank the Belconnen and wider Canberra community for the fantastic responses the art received from the public. Below are some comments from artists and community members about their experience of in2CHANGE.
Simone Penkethman – Arts and Cultural Development Officer
It was a wonderful project, the main comment from passengers and staff was “what a pity it doesn’t happen all the time” and that it was a great improvement to the surroundings.
I really enjoyed the creative challenge of making jungle items from junk materials, the possibilities are enormous!
Jennifer Jones – Wellspring Environmental Arts and Design – creator of Sub-urban jungle
IT WAS THE BEST - in2CHANGE really was absolutely extraordinary. I'm guessing you based it on other models but I've never experienced anything like it. The best thing about doing Theatre on a Bus was working with the bus driver - he was totally into it and had lots of valuable suggestions, ended up contributing a lot to the project.
David Finnigan – Boho Interactive – Theatre on a Bus
The best thing about in2CHANGE was the somewhat bizarre and surreal nature of it all, especially the atmosphere on site on Friday night.
Robin Davidson – Flashoint Theatre director
It meant a lot to me personally to be a part of that closing chapter.
Rebecca Collins - Soprano
What a great collection of spontaneous art. Fantastic. I love the recycled materials and their decorations
Ian Haynes – Local artist
I love how these projects encourage participation in something that the person may not have otherwise have done. Keep up the good work.
A bus user travelling to Belconnen specifically to see the project
…something interesting bright and colourful to look at while waiting for the bus
A regular bus user
I thought it was cool to see how different people express how they feel about a bus. The interchange is not a place you usually stop and pay attention to anything – usually you look at your feet – it’s nice not to do that
A pedestrian using the interchange as a thoroughfare
It’s a nice change, it would be nice if the art had always been there.
A regular bus user
Interactive art is important – people who identify as non-artists are unwittingly involved.
A bus user travelling to Belconnen specifically to see the project
It’s amazing, I love it. It makes the space more human. People stop and look and talk to each other. I think this makes people less likely to behave in an anti-social way because they feel they own the space. It’s art that involves people rather than being static.
A regular bus user
in2CHANGE
ON SITE ARTS IN BELCONNEN INTERCHANGE
Grand Finale 4-8pm Friday April 24
Performance on the platform
Concert of community choirs
BCS Disability Units “Choir on Fire” 4:15pm
SCUNA 4:40pm
Union voices 5:15pm
Famous Arias by Soprano Rebecca Collins 6pm
Percussion and sound art by Charles Martin and Lisa (Chi-Hsia) Lai 6:15pm
Electic progressive electronica by DJ Ugly Bunyip 7pm
Roving performance by Flash Point Theatre 5-6:30pm
Participation
Suburban Jungle – help add the final touches 4-6pm
Spectacle
Lighting by servants of sound
Art by:
Belconnen Community members
Tony Steele
Bamboo Mayhem
E.L.K.
Lost Property Developers
Free Sausages!!!!!
Party Safe Bus – free condoms and water!!!!!
Celebrate the end of an era – Belconnen Interchange is due for demolition
BELCONNEN INTERCHANGE 1979-2009
R.I.P.
in2CHANGE
URBAN CHANGE=ARTISTIC RESPONSE
ON SITE ARTS IN BELCONNEN INTERCHANGE
All ages, all welcome, all activities FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
APRIL 20-24 2009
· Theatre on a Bus History comes alive with Boho Interactive’s journey through Belconnen 22-24 April 11am – 2pm. Boho Interactive is a young Canberra company theatre that incorporates game theory, history and technology. They’re fresh for a residency at Manning Clarke House and have toured their shows to arts and science festivals around the country.
· Flash Point Theatre Free workshops leading to spontaneous performances in and around Belconnen Bus Interchange. Amuse, disturb and confound your unsuspecting audience. An opportunity to train and work with Robin Davidson, a theatre artist who has directed and performed across Australia and in Japan and East Timor. Come to learn new tools for making theatre, to meet other theatre heads, or just to experience one of the more unusual afternoons of your life. Convene at Belconnen Community Centre 2:30–5:30pm, 20–24th April.
· Platform Sculpture - All welcome to join in making a sculpture garden on the top platform from recycled materials with artist, Tony Steel 12-2pm April 20-24
· Platform Spotlight – Lunchtime concerts 12:30-1:30 April 21-24 Bands, solos, comedy, poetry, dance and more. Spots available for interested performers. Contact: simone.penkethman@bcsact.com.au
· Suburban Jungle – Peak-hour art making on the platform with Wellspring 4-6pm April 20-24. Create objects and shapes inspired by nature. Your art will we installed in waiting areas to adorn the interchange in its dying days.
· Floral Tribute – Make delicate paper flowers to adorn the poles with Maryann Mussared 11pm-1am April 22-24.
· Community Collage – Help fill the tubes with history from multiple perspectives 4-6pm April 20-24
· Show me the way to go home – A concert of community choirs featuring the Belconnen Community Centre Disability Program’s, Choir on Fire and others. In front of the ticket information office April 24 4:15-6:00pm spots available contact: Simone.penkethman@bcsact.com.au
· Beam – large scale video projection of artwork from the interchange onto the Cameron Offices 6-8pm Friday April 24. BEAM is a collective of artists including staff, students and graduates of the ANU School of Art. The BEAM of light created by their projection will connect the interchange and the Cameron Offices, both iconic architectural remnants of Belconnen’s original master plan.
· The Lost Property Developers - Three triangular glass waiting boxes house an exhibition of Contemporary Art and by graduates and students from the ANU School of Art. Paintings, video projections and more. One waiting box exhibits 3D art from Belconnen Community Centre’s open art program made from recycled materials.
· Bamboo Mayhem - Bamboo sculptures and installations give nature a fighting chance against the concrete. Bamboo Mayhem’s work has featured at festivals including CLAW 08, Corinbank, Peats Ridge, Dragon Dreaming and Fringe 09. in2CHANGE brings Bamboo Mayhem to Belconnen.
· Flight - Posters designed by artist Amina McConvell in collaboration with Canberra Poets add thoughtful beauty to waiting areas
· Finale – 4-8pm Friday April 24 – see the interchange in all it’s splendour with roving performances, opera by Stopera, community choirs, Charles Martin - percussionist and sound artist lighting and DJs by Servants of Sound – an experience to remember!
in2CHANGE – @ BELCONNEN GALLERY
EXHIBITION APRIL 20 – May 8
BELCONNEN COMMUNITY CENTRE, SWANSON COURT
Opening 6pm April 21 – all welcome – light refreshments provided
· Interchange memorabilia from the Retired Transport Workers’ Club
· Video interviews with bus drivers and users
· Photos by Barbie Robinson Richard Blackwell Fayroze Lutta and other artists
· Stencil art by E.L.K.
CONTACT: Simone.Penkethman@bcsact.com.au
www.bcsact.com.au 0262640235
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