Called Gathering Ground 2: History, Ceremony, Protest, the
event is a collaboration between PACT Theatre and the Redfern Community Centre
that encourages focal youth to participate in performance and installation art.
PACT Theatre co-director Kate Therese said she struck on the
idea for Gathering Ground after she first visited the block a few years ago and
saw its potential for use as a significant site.
“When I went to the Block I was quite scared and that
made me question why I have these thoughts and feelings, particularly because I
grew up in a stigmatised area myself, Mt Druitt,” Ms Therese said.
“I really questioned what the media said about the
Block.
“There was also this great space with so much history
and significance and an amazing community centre.”
In the five weeks leading up to the event, 50 young people
participated in workshops run by Legs on the Wall, Erth and other established
and emerging artists in hip hop, aerial work, stilt walking, puppetry and film.
The project had success in its first run in 2006 but Ms
Therese said this year’s involvement from local youth had tripled.
“We wanted to empower the kids with the history of the
area and their past – I noticed that a lot of the kids said they did not
actually know that much,” she said.
“I also wanted to bring people from non-indigenous
backgrounds and expose them and the locals to each other.”
Gathering Ground starts on Thursday night and runs until
Saturday. As the sun sets, groups will be guided through the Block and taken.
on a journey designed to inspire and give hope.
Broken wails, empty buildings and spaces will become sites
of ritual, spectacle, action, video, music, sound and story.
They will work collaboratively with the artists using their
new skills and ideas to bring stories of the Block to life.
The stories will be drawn from aboriginal elders and members
of the local community.
To experience Gathering Ground contact PACT Theatre at associate@pact.net.au .
Organisers have asked people meet at the entrance to Lawson Street,
opposite Redfern Station.
Photo Phil Rogers: Local children rehearse for Gathering
Ground at the Block, Redfern.
Source:
Courier Central 28th May 2008