Stormers added a theatrical component to the hustle and bustle of Healesville’s
By Kath Gannaway
THEY had stormed forest and farmland … so why not a busy market place?
Stallholders and visitors at Healesville Community Market had their focus pulled in a surprisingly artistic direction when about 30 people spontaneously began moving their bodies in weird and wonderful ways at the September market.
The emergence of the “Stormers” amid the market hustle and bustle was a puzzling surprise.
The group of local people were positioned in different places at the market before beginning their movements as part of a spontaneous performance titled “Storming”.
Storming was a concept devised by artist Nick Papas and developed in partnership with Yarra Ranges Council’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Department. The project was supported and funded by the Australian Government Regional Arts Fund.
Greg Box, Yarra Ranges manager of arts, culture and heritage, described storming as an innovative arts and cultural activity in outdoor spaces featuring local people interacting with “their place”.
“Participants began just by standing in different places before moving inwards and outwards, and then, like a school of fish, they moved around following one person from the group, and then the next,” Mr Box said.
“The performance continued for more than half an hour, and passers-by got caught in the middle, unsure about whether they should be dancing or watching,” he said.
Mr Box said storming took place in an East Warburton forest on the Friday evening and on a farm site at Woori Yallock on the Saturday before culminating in the market performance on Sunday 6 September.
“The group of community members involved in the performance participated in a range of workshops leading up to the performance and for many it was both nerve-racking and exhilarating,” he said.
