Seasons in Blak Box

SEASONS in Blak Box is a multi-part sound work that explores the integral role of plants in the Kulin seasonal calendar. Through the time-honoured practice of deep listening, SEASONS invites audiences to experience climatic and seasonal variation, less as a weather event and more as a cultural phenomenon.

Presented in Blak Box, an award-winning sound pavilion designed by renowned architect Kevin O'Brien, SEASONS is curated by respected Aboriginal broadcaster and radio journalist Daniel Browning. Key Indigenous artists Parbin-ata Carolyn Briggs AM, Isobel Morphy-Walsh, Aunty Joy Murphy AO and Justice Nelson along with featured artists Fay Stewart-Muir and Mandy Nicholson weave story, language and anecdote in a deeply moving evocation of country. SEASONS features new music by composer James Henry and lighting design by Karen Norris.

Presented by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.

SEASONS is a work that is well suited to people who are blind or vision impaired as it is a listening experience in which the audience can experience music, spoken word and song from First Nations artists.

To find out more, and visit the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria website here.

"My visit was overall inspiring and rejuvenating. I travelled to the Gardens to participate in the Seasons in Blak Box event. Arriving early I had thechance to walk around the gardens a bit - the scents arising, the coolness and calmness that comes from being around vegetation creating a sense ofcalm within. Fantastic. Seasons was an amazing experience on many levels. The venue was appropriate; the structure, lighting, sound quality allamazing and high quality. I feel honoured and fortunate to have heard the voices and listened to the stories of the six women artists who were thefoundation of the event; the music was powerful. Thanks for hosting this event.’’

"Like climbing into the womb of our land and awakening to its history and culture through story and sensory experience! Fantastic concept, wellexecuted, highly recommend!’’

"Beautiful immersive audio installation, the deep listening experience was engaging and memorable. Loved it. Thank you for sharing local Indigenousstories and connecting us with country.’’

"Peaceful; a wonderful learning experience and again I marvel at how much we can learn from our indigenous brothers and sisters. I am so pleased to have been present as now I read that it will need to be closed due to COVID19. More Indigenous experiences like this please.’’

Curator: Daniel Browning

Architect: Kevin O'Brien

Lighting Designer: Karen Norris

Composer: James Henry

Lead Builder/Installer: David Hawkes

Cultural Producer: Genevieve Grieves

Key Artists:

Parbin-ata Carolyn Briggs AM

Isobel Morphy-Walsh

Aunty Joy Murphy AO

Justice Nelson

Contributing Artists:

Mandy Nicholson

Fay Stewart-Muir

Sound Engineer: Jack Prest

Sound Recordist and Engineer: Darius Kedros

Sound Effects Artist: Martin Peralta

Production Manager: Julie Blyth

Installers: Neil Hawkes, Lucas Barcelo Ibarra, Toni Javor, Jason Ofaolain, Luke Taylor Lighting Crew Nick Maloney

Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne Gardens

6 Mar – 16 Mar 2020

Tue – Sun, 6pm & 7.15pm (50 mins)

Fri & Sat, 6pm, 7.15pm & 8.30pm (50 mins) $22 Adult, $15 Conc

12+ years

SEASONS in BLAK BOX is presented by Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria.

Proudly supported by the Australia Council for the Arts and City of Melbourne. Presented as part of Melbourne Design Week 2020, an initiative of the Victorian Government in collaboration with the NGV.

Blak Box is supported by NSW Governmentand the following Project Sponsors:

Create NSW

Australia Council for the Arts

Bankstown Arts Centre

SPONSORED BY

Danpal Australia

Loud and Clear

MEDIA PARTNER

The Saturday Paper

Sidney McMahon