How do we navigate a world in flux?
What do the voices of First Nations artists, who have collectively experienced a cataclysm, tell us about the way forward?
PRECARITIES is a hybrid deep listening experience featuring some of Australia's best First Nations artists working in the fields of music and spoken word, in its world premiere season.
The beating heart of this deeply resonant and stridently political sonic artwork is the possum skin drum, tuned to the urgent sound of one of Shakespeare's most quoted soliloquys - translated into Wiradjuri.
PRECARITIES combines blackfella-style cabaret, music for solo violin and rapid-fire spoken word with performances by comedian Steven Oliver, poet and activist Lorna Munro, rapper DOBBY (aka Rhyan Clapham), violinist Eric Avery and singer-songwriter Ancestress, curated by sound artist, radio broadcaster and journalist Daniel Browning.
One thing: this is no typical Blak Box - we go live and external, bringing our artists together for two nights in active collaboration in a real-life echo chamber of the Cutaway, lit with soft amber and sky blue by lighting designer Karen Norris.
2-3 September
Daniel Browning: Curator and Creative Producer (2022 creative development)
Travis De Vries: Creative Producer (2021 creative development)
Karen Norris: Lighting Designer
Key Artists:
Eric Avery: Violin
Lorna Munro: Vocals/ Percussion
Steven Oliver: Vocals/ Guitar
Dobby: Piano
Ancestress: Vocals
The Cutaway, Barangaroo Reserve
The Cutaway is an expansive, partially open-air, below-ground space, located a step away from the CBD with the main pedestrian entrance beneath Stargazer Lawn on Hickson Road. Please see the information below on ‘Getting Here’ for how to best access the space via public transport, car, bicycle or on foot.
This performance contains language that may not be suitable for young audiences. Discretion is advised.
Daniel is host of RN's The Art Show. Since majoring in painting at university, Daniel has worked as a journalist, broadcaster, and sound artist. He has been with the ABC since 1994, having worked across news and current affairs, including a stint as triple j's news director. The Bundjalung and Kullilli man presented RN's Awaye! for many years and leads the ABC's Indigenous Radio Unit.
Eric Avery is a Ngiyampaa, Yuin, Bandjalang and Gumbangirr artist. As part of his practice Eric plays the violin, dances and composes music. Working with his family’s custodial songs he seeks to revive and continue on an age-old legacy – continuing the tradition of singing in his tribe – utilising his talents to combine and create an experience of his peoples culture.
Eric is currently engaged dancing with Marrugeku and has previously had a mentorship at The Australian Ballet (predominantly in Movement Education) and studied dance at NAISDA Dance College. An avid violinist Eric started learning classical music by “ear” when he was 11 and continued on to train at Newtown Performing Arts and and then the Australian Institute of Music. He combines his skills on the violin to perform classical music and create new contemporary music expressing his Koori (NSW Aboriginal) heritage.
Lorna Munro, or ‘Yilinhi’, is a Wiradjuri and Gamilaroi woman, multidisciplinary artist and regular radio and podcast host at Sydney’s Radio Skid Row. A long-time active member of her Redfern/Waterloo community, her work is informed by her passion and well-studied insight in areas such as culture, history, politics and popular culture. Lorna has travelled the world showcasing her skills and distinctive style of poetry and political commentary.
Steven Oliver is a descendant of the Kuku-Yalanji, Waanyi, Gangalidda, Woppaburra, Bundjalung and Biripi peoples. He was born in Cloncurry in North West Queensland and grew up in Townsville before moving to Perth to study. He has worked with numerous theatre companies, festivals and arts organisations across Australia but became notorious with ABC’s Logie/AACTA nominated sketch comedy show Black Comedy as a writer/actor/associate producer.
Rhyan Clapham (DOBBY) is a Hip Hop artist and drummer. Aged 24, he has completed a Bachelor of Music at the University of NSW, and an Indigenous Studies Honours (focusing on Aboriginal Hip Hop music) in 2015. He proudly identifies as a Filipino and Aboriginal musician, and a member of the Murrawarri Republic in Brewarrina, NSW.
DOBBY is a skilled composer and is the 2017 recipient of the bi-annual Peter Sculthorpe Fellowship. He has performed as a rapper and drummer for a variety of events such as BIG SOUND Festival, The Plot Festival, Yabun Festival, 4Elements Hip Hop Festival, UNSW corporate and academic functions, Koori Radio events, and at numerous NAIDOC celebrations across Australia. DOBBY is also a rapper and drummer for Sydney band Jackie Brown Jr in various events and festivals such as Wollombi Music Festival, Rabbits Eat Lettuce, and Psyfari Festival.
Teila Watson is a Birri Gubba and Kungalu/Gangalu Murri woman born and raised in Brisbane. An established performing artist – singer, poet and lyricist (known as ‘Ancestress’), 25 year-old Teila is also a writer, actor and youth arts professional. Her respect and understanding of Murri knowledges, First Nations self-determination, and the preservation of culture, informs her artistic endeavours and fuels her many passions.
Teila’s art practices revolve around: climate change; decolonising to create sustainable futures; the impact that First Nations knowledges and practice has on country and people; and consequently the importance of Land Rights and First Nations sovereignty when considering environmental and social issues.
TRAIN
The closest stations to Barangaroo Reserve are Circular Quay and Wynyard (via Exit 4).
From Wynyard Station, follow the signs to Exit 4 and take the Wynyard Walk tunnel. Exit at Napoleon Plaza. Your journey to Barangaroo Reserve from this point is signposted.
You can opt to either take Wynyard Walk or Napoleon bridge across to Barangaroo South where you’ll be able to walk west toward the waterfront. Once you reach the waterfront, head north on Wulugul Walk along the foreshore to Barangaroo Reserve. This walk is approximately 1.1km long from the Wynyard Station Exit.
Hickson Road footpath is currently closed to pedestrians between High Steps and beneath Munn Street bridge. This is to allow concrete finishing work to continue in the Barangaroo Metro Station box. Pedestrians are encouraged to detour via Barangaroo foreshore promenade (Wulugul Walk) or via High Street.
For train times, visit Transportnsw.info
FERRY
Barangaroo Wharf is immediately adjacent to the Barangaroo waterfront dining precinct. The F3 and F4 services stop here. It is a 10-minute walk north to Barangaroo Reserve.
If arriving at Circular Quay, the most direct route is to walk past the front of the Museum of Contemporary Art, then turn left up Argyle Street and through the Argyle Cut, past the Lord Nelson Hotel and the Palisade Hotels, then enter the Reserve via either Munn Street or Bettington Street. This walk is approximately 1km and is fully accessible, with a short incline up through the Argyle Cut.
BUS
Three bus routes – 311, 324 and 325 – provide visitors arriving at Town Hall the opportunity of a direct bus to Barangaroo Reserve.
The 324 and 325 from Watsons Bay serve Barangaroo and end at Walsh Bay. The 311 to and from Millers Point serves Hickson Road, providing access to Barangaroo.
Find further information on buses here.
BY CAR
CarePark operates a public car park with 300 spaces beneath Barangaroo Reserve including eight accessible parking spaces on level B1. The car park entrance and exit is via Towns Place and it operates between 6:00am – midnight, seven days per week.
TAXI
The best taxi drop off points are Towns Place and Argyle Place.
The Hickson Road/Nawi Cove entrance is temporarily inaccessible by taxi.
IMAGE CREDIT
Steven Oliver by Rhett Hammerton
PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS
This work is commissioned by the NSW Government
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body