100% Brisbane
A semi-permanent interactive exhibition that holds a mirror to Brisbanites.
Overview
The Museum of Brisbane really does love Brisbane; let's face it, their affection is right there in their name. In 2016, they're showing their love in another way as well. As part of their calendar of events for this year, the City Hall-based showcase of the Queensland capital's living history is staging a semi-permanent interactive exhibition that uses the people of Brisbane as its basis.
Running for three years from July 15, 100% Brisbane doesn't just turn the spotlight on the city — it deconstructs the population and reflect the real face of the community. Using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it has scoured the city for 100 everyday folks that represent the entirety of Brisbane. It all started with one chosen local, who then sparked a search that spanned over 100 days. That resident will then had 24 hours to recruit the next Brisbanite, who then selected the another person and so on, until 100 people were connected.
Fans of globally renowned theatre company Rimini Protokoll might recognise the concept, given that the Berlin-based group has rolled out the project all around the world, including in London, San Diego, Paris, Copenhagen and Amsterdam. Their Brisbane stint marks the first time they've ever collaborated with a museum, as well as being one of the biggest undertakings to date by the Museum of Brisbane.
As acting director Christopher Salter puts it, 100% Brisbane presents "the story of Brisbane today in an authentic way, through 100 of our city locals. The heart of the experience is real people with real stories and their experiences in our city today."
Those who didn't make the final 100 also have their chance to participate now that the exhibition is open, of course. Attendees can share their information and opinions to compare themselves with the participants. In fact, beyond the performance aspect, the project aims to map how attitudes and perceptions change within the city over its three-year run.
100% Brisbane alsos feature a documentary covering the history of the city's population, as written and narrated by author and actor William McInnes, plus Brisbane-focused contemporary art commissions from Australian artists.
