Friday, 30 March 2018
MEDIA RELEASE – KAROONDA EAST MURRAY COUNCIL
A spectacular public art project set to illuminate Karoonda’s grain silos in April could inspire the start of a lively community discussion around big-picture thinking for the town’s streetscape, according to the Acting Mayor of Karoonda East Murray Council.
To coincide with the beginning of Karoonda’s popular Farm Fair event on 6-7 April, Council has employed award-winning Australian projection artists illuminart to project art created by local schoolchildren onto the town’s central grain silos.
As the sun sets on Friday 6 April, the main street of Karoonda will become an open-air gallery as an expected crowd of more than a thousand visitors and local residents gather to enjoy the test projection event.
Karoonda East Murray Council Chief Acting Mayor Caroline Phillips described Karoonda’s silos as a “blank canvas” for a project with a difference.
“Around Australia, silo artworks have become the newest feature of rural landscapes and Karoonda’s silos are in prime position in the town streetscape,” she says.
“As many other Councils are choosing to paint their silos, we decided to go for something outside the box and a develop a project that the community can help play a role in.”
Billing their works as “stories in light” illuminart projects have transformed urban spaces and captured attention at popular events Australia-wide, including Adelaide’s Fringe Festival and Vivid Festival in Sydney.
Giving the next generation of Karoonda children the opportunity to work with the internationally renowned company and also the chance to “dream big” is another bonus, Ms Phillips says.
“The children at Karoonda Area School are really excited about the project and they can’t wait to see their artwork up there – it’s a huge thing and something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives,” she says.
Council Chief Executive Officer Matthew Morgan said the purpose of the Friday night event was two-fold – to add another element to Karoonda’s popular Farm Fair event, and also to inspire the local community.
“Council is keen to spark a vibrant community discussion about the town’s streetscape and how public artworks can play a role in both revitalising the main street precinct and attracting visitors to our town,” he says.
“We want the community of Karoonda to play their role in the district’s future and we believe this is a great all-community project to kick off that discussion.”
Each year, the annual Farm Fair event attracts up to eight thousand visitors from across South Australia and Mr Morgan says Council’s plan is to get those guests talking about Karoonda and what it has to offer.
“We have a great weekend planned, kicking off with the free public art show, followed by a night of our famous country hospitality with live music, food and entertainment at the Farm Fair site, with free entry from 5pm,” he says.
“Then visitors will be able to spend the weekend seeing all the exhibitors, events and catching up with the latest in rural technology at Farm Fair.”
Mr Morgan says the test projection would also give local residents a taste of how large scale artworks could feature on the silos on a more permanent basis.
“The show during Farm Fair will be a trial event for Council to see if the show could potentially become permanent,” he says.
“Obviously, Council needs to consider public access, viewpoints and road safety aspects before the project could become a long-term feature.
“But you don’t get anywhere without taking a gamble and Council is anticipating this project will be a huge success for the community of Karoonda.”
The projection will run from 6.30-10pm on Friday, 6 April. For more information about Farm Fair, visit their website at http://www.farmfair.com.au/.
-ENDS –
Media contact:
Karoonda East Murray Council CEO Matthew Morgan | P: (08) 8578 1004 | E: matthew.m@dckem.sa.gov.au