With
Sydney Stories, we propose to build a
series of site-specific installations and performances recreating moments of
resistance, futile or otherwise, from Sydney’s past. We are taking the phrase “resistance is
futile” and placing it in the context of the world we live in. It is futile to
resist our history, just as it is futile to resist future change.
We
are also tying in to the second sub theme: Converging and Diverging realities.
Each site will allow the audience and general public to experience Sydney’s
history in a way that reflects on not just the bygone events, but also the
contemporary context of these stories.
Each
of the four performance sites would include two components: a small, enclosed
structure called a “time pod” which fits 5-7 people at a time, and a larger
performance that occurs in the historic space outside of the time pod. Each pod will enclose an audio-visual
installation recreating a moment of resistance from the past. Some will be interactive and some will run
independently (simple playback). The role of the performance occurring outside
the pod is to recreate, reenact, reconfigure, and even “riff” on the past
event, placing it in the present.
The
end result will have the effect of small pockets of time distortion, linking
the audience to the history of the land they are walking on.
We
propose to build four installations in harbour area of Sydney based on these
locations/events:
1. 1932, Harbour Bridge
opening: Francis de Groot, on horseback, crashes the ceremony and preemptively cuts the ribbon with a
sword.
2. 1908, Jack
Johnson/Tommy Burns boxing match, Sydney Stadium, Rushcutters Bay: Highlight
issues of racism, violence, and the savvy business acumen of Hugh Donald Macintosh, who made a killing on the
sensational fight.
3. 1929-1932, Great
Depression/The Hungry Mile, Millers Point/Barangaroo: Wharf workers struggle to find work during
economic downturn, unable to resist their connection
to both global economic disaster and local corruption.
4. 1808: The Rum
Rebellion, Government House: Governor William Bligh was deposed, essentially because he ordered an end to the
practice of paying the police and army in rum
and ordered the shutting down of illegal stills. Bligh was allegedly found hiding behind his bed.
