By Mikayla van Loon
The environmental challenges of two distinctly unique areas in the Yarra Ranges prompted resident artists at the Bogong Centre for Sound Culture (B-CSC) to conduct an artistic investigation.
‘Between Two Sites’, an exhibition launching at the Burrinja Cultural Centre on 27 May, explores the environments of both the Alpine Shire and Yarra Ranges Shire regions in a collaborative project from seven female and non-binary artists.
The exhibition showcases the work of artists Shannon Leah Collis, Lesley Duxbury, Sarah Edwards, Amias Hanley, Anne McCallum and Sarah Lynch, who each completed a residency at B-CSC, as well as founder Madelynne Cornish.
Curated by Madelynne and Sarah Lynch, the exhibition brings together sound, imagery, sculpture and physical experience to launch the viewer into the ecology of both locations.
“The Alpine Shire is regional and Burrinja being [in] a peri-urban[area] I thought that would be an interesting connection, looking at the environmental issues of both sides, how artists are dealing with environmental issues of the various sides,” Madelynne said.
Each of the artworks, Sarah said, are very site specific, with research and investigation into the history of both areas conducted by the artists.
For Madelynne, finding an area of interest to base her artwork on led her to the dire situation of the Helmeted Honeyeater in the Yellingbo conservation area.
“It’s in this perilous state where it’s on this brink, teetering between becoming extinct and the possibility that it may survive,” she said.
“What really interested me about Yellingbo and the bird’s habitat was it’s in these remnant bits of forests, small bits of bush-like landscape that exist on the periphery of farming in a rural environment.”
Madelynne said the “inaccessibility” of the conservation area also “fascinated” her because it required permission to go there to document sounds and the environment.
Using 3D imaging, cabinetry and environmental sounds, Madelynne said she wanted to represent the “artificiality of the bird”.
“It’s trapped in a cabinet to represent its reliance on human intervention to keep it alive,” she said.
“I’m creating an artificial, natural environment and all that will be is the gallery itself will be bathed in this green light to represent some sort of idea of nature, this man made environment.”
In other projects, Sarah Edwards is exploring the native plants surrounding the Dandenong Ranges area, cataloging what would have existed.
Anne McCallum has been collecting objects and natural materials from both shire areas to make an installation while Shannon Leah Collis has focused on the hydroelectric power history of Kiewa Valley and how the industry has embedded itself into the natural environment.
“She’s done a video installation…It’s quite beautiful footage, even though it’s a [structure] but the soundtrack really gives the infrastructure a heaviness. It’s like a heavy footprint on the Alpine wilderness.”
Wanting people to understand how artists are interpreting the effects of a changing climate on their environment, Sarah said she hopes it invites people to reflect on their own connection to the land.
“What we hope people take back is to actually pay attention. By highlighting some of the issues that are happening in the environment, if people don’t know about them, then how do they care about any environmental issue,” she said.
“I think that’s what art can do, is highlight it in a way that’s not hitting you on the head but it’s a subtle way to open and expose people to environmental and ecological concerns.”
Madelynne and Sarah said they hope to offer interactional opportunities for both adults and children, with listening walks, weaving workshops and a Helmeted Honeyeater nest workshop.
The exhibition will also be completely accessible, with an audio description of each artwork available via a website for people who are blind or have low vision.
Between Two Sites will be on display at the Burrinja Gallery, located at 351 Glenfern Rd Upwey, from 27 May to 1 July.
For more information, go to www.burrinja.org.au/burrinja-whats-on/whats-on-art or www.bogongsound.com.au/projects/between-two-sites
