The last week of Naarm's Rising Festival is taking place this week, featuring some unique and culturally important installations.
They come as part of a festival which sees 105 events, more than 480 artists, 23 new commissions, 6 world premieres, and 8 Australian premieres.
The Blak Infinite
Curated by Yorta Yorta artist Kimberley Moulton and Taungurung artist Kate ten Buuren, Fed Square has been transformed into a vibrant and expressive forum of Indigenous art, politics, and cosmic connections with The Blak Infinite — a free exhibition at the heart of the festival.
The Blak Infinite features Kamilaroi, Kooma, Jiman and Gurang Gurang man Richard Bell's installation 'Embassy,' which is inspired by the original 1972 tent embassy in Canberra and features daily film screenings.
"The Aboriginal Tent Embassy is many things. To most Aboriginal people it is a symbol of resistance to the colonial power structure that still oppresses us," Bell said.
It is a canvas tent encouraging discussion and First Nations lead political discourse, surrounded by painted protest signs that are reminiscent of the original.
There is also a range of artworks and texts across the site that explore the infinite possibility of First Peoples futures.
Immersive projections at night by Gunditjmara Keerray Woorroong artist Tarryn Love in a display titled 'ngaka - look here' lights up the square each evening, sharing stories of Sky Country, transporting viewers into the cosmos and celestial knowledge.
'Beam me up: The Art of Abduction' by Girramay, Yidinyji and Kuku Yalanji artist Tony Albert immerses the viewer in themes of place, belonging and alienation through his use of colourful installations and a children's program.
The big screen features two works of speculative fiction from ununjali, Yugambeh and Dutch writer Ellen van Neerven. Both 'Shoutlines' and 'yaburuhma dugun' (infinite sky) are designed to expand the limits of reality.
Wadawurrung artist Kait James uses collage to alter the loaded visual language of 1970s souvenirs, whilst Bidjara man Michael Cook creates a fantasy world where role of the invaders and the invaded is reversed.
There is also Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta and Barkindji artist Josh Muir's supersized artwork to remind everyone to reach for the stars and imagine their wildest dreams coming true. The late Mr Muir's JXSH MVIR FOREVER I LIVE solo exhibit is on at the Koorie Heritage Trust next door and people are encouraged to visit.
Pay the Rent
First debuted in Germany in 2022 by Mr Bell, 'Pay the Rent' is a running total of what's owed to the First Nations' people of this land.
The numbers, forever increasing, represents the continual calculation of the rent owed to Indigenous people by the Australian Government since Federation for the use of their lands.
Bell said the reason for the display is "to show that it's too expensive to play this colonisation game. Don't do it, because you'll never be able to pay for it".
The Rivers Sing
Every dusk along the Birrarung (Yarra River), Yorta Yorta/Yuin soprano and composer Deborah Cheetham AO and audio artists Byron Scullin and Thomas Supple's sound work, 'The Rivers Sing,' takes place.
Initially winding its way down the Birrarung and Maribyrnong rivers over six weeks in 2021, the large-scale audio work is recomposed with each iteration as Boon Wurrung, Woiwurrung and English vocals combine and layer the melodic fragments together to create a harmonious composition celebrating place.
The Rising Festival's full program can be found online.
