Violet Verses 2015 @ Torrens Parade Ground

Who

History SA + illuminart

What

Architectural Storytelling

Where

Torrens Parade Ground, Adelaide

When

2-3-4 July 2015

Violet Verses was a project devised by illuminart and History SA. The vision to commemorate the centenary of the First World War led to the discovery of a uniquely South Australian response to the war: The Cheer Up Hut Society, and the Violet Day Fundraiser.

It was presented in a spectacular 90 minute son et lumier on the Torrens Parade Ground Barracks, that runs twice nightly on the Thursday 2nd, Friday 3rd, Saturday 4th July.

The story commemorates the women and volunteers who established the Cheer Up Society and other volunteer organisations. They not only provided support to men on the front, but also provided ongoing support to wounded and shellshocked men, and to bereaved mothers and families. The Cheer Up Society raised funds to build a soldiers’ clubhouse by selling violets around South Australia on the 2nd July 1915, including one bunch that sold at auction in Burra for 384 Pounds. The Cheer Up Society predated the RSL and involved primarily women; the Violet Day fundraiser they established continued for nearly 60 years. This spectacular project will illuminate and the architecture of the Torrens Parade Ground building over three nights, coinciding with the centenary of the first Violet Day.

This project has been supported by Arts SA, History SA, Channel Nine and Mosaic AV.

  • More info

    Event details – show times and dates, parking, maps, food, what to bring etc – https://illuminart.com.au/blog/violet-day-2015/

    Behind the scenes – green screen shoot & Joey on set – https://illuminart.com.au/announcement/behind-the-scenes-of-the-violet-verses-project/

    Media Release – https://illuminart.com.au/announcement/violet-verses-free-event/

  • Our Partners

    Mosaic AV Logo
    Channel Nine Logo

  • Project Team

    • Cindi Drennan Artistic Director
    • Allison Russell Senior Curator, History SA
    • Andy Petrusevics Animation / Story
    • Zero Animation
    • Michael Mills Performance / Story
    • John Carberry Videographer, Production Mentee
    • Tash Rolfe Associate Producer
    • Christeen Schoepf Research Consultant
    • Katherine Annear Research Consultant
    • Nicholas Filsell Production Manager
    • Brodie Green Sound Design
    • Craig Williams Projection Design
    • Helen Bock Associate Producer

  • In the Media

    Step back 100 years ago to find out what life was like on the streets of Adelaide during the First World War, discover who the Cheer Up Society were and why violets are significant to SA. Bring your chair and thermos, dress warmly and enjoy the outdoor midwinter experience of a narrative projection onto the Barracks. The event is free, ideal for all ages and interests. The show will play at 6pm and 8pm each night. Food vendors will be on site on Friday and Saturday. As it is an all weather event, it will only be cancelled in the event of extreme weather conditions so come prepared, bring your raincoat or umbrella.

  • Project Data

    Project ID # 1017

Project References