Photography by Mattao Volpi
17 artists have been invited to collaborate on the next production of Scenes on the Yarra, an eclectic mix of dancers, physical performers, installation artists, musicians, storytellers and puppeteers. Interdisciplinary site-specific and landscape performance maker, Jeminah Reidy invited this group to create a work that responds to the intrinsic qualities of this site. The audience will be guided past the many artworks that will tell the story of time and place. A story that is created at the mouth of the Yarra River at Williamstown.
At this site convicts were set ashore from great hulks moored in Port Phillip Bay to work in the quarries. Hard work and poverty summarises this local working class community. Once referred to as “Dog Town” for the stray dogs that roamed the streets, Williamstown is now a prestigious Melbourne address. The indigenous custodians of this land have always known the value of this area, when wetlands and large open sandy bays were the breading grounds of eels, fish, turtles, geese and brolga. The Yarra, with its extensive catchment area, is the largest body of water to flow into Port Phillip Bay. Water quality in the bay is directly affected by activities occurring throughout the catchment.
If you have been a part of Scenes on the Yarra over the last 3 years or if you have only just heard about this wonderful project, this is your last opportunity to witness this event. Scenes on the Yarra has meandered it's way down the Yarra River from the headwaters to the sea, to it's final destination - Williamstown. Experience and witness all that this site offers through art and performance. The audience will be lead on an extended walk (2km's approx. one way) starting at Seaworks with our destination at Point Gellibrand. The community bus will be available for the return journey.
At this site convicts were set ashore from great hulks moored in Port Phillip Bay to work in the quarries. Hard work and poverty summarises this local working class community. Once referred to as “Dog Town” for the stray dogs that roamed the streets, Williamstown is now a prestigious Melbourne address. The indigenous custodians of this land have always known the value of this area, when wetlands and large open sandy bays were the breading grounds of eels, fish, turtles, geese and brolga. The Yarra, with its extensive catchment area, is the largest body of water to flow into Port Phillip Bay. Water quality in the bay is directly affected by activities occurring throughout the catchment.
If you have been a part of Scenes on the Yarra over the last 3 years or if you have only just heard about this wonderful project, this is your last opportunity to witness this event. Scenes on the Yarra has meandered it's way down the Yarra River from the headwaters to the sea, to it's final destination - Williamstown. Experience and witness all that this site offers through art and performance. The audience will be lead on an extended walk (2km's approx. one way) starting at Seaworks with our destination at Point Gellibrand. The community bus will be available for the return journey.
Finale - photograph by Angela Rivas
Scenes on the Yarra pays respect and acknowledges the traditional owners of the land on which this performance and exhibition will take place, the Boon Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation.
