Barangaroo Has a New Immersive Pop-Up that Surrounds You with First Peoples' Stories
The installation's world premiere coincides with Reconciliation Week.
Step inside BLAK BOX, a new architect-designed sound pavilion at Barangaroo, and you'll be carried into a world of First Peoples' stories. Spoken word, music and field recordings combine to create a stream of consciousness that expresses experiences of Barangaroo – from the past, the present and the future.
The installation is the creation of Urban Theatre Projects, who commissioned architect Kevin O'Brien to design the immersive pavilion. Lighting is kept to a minimum, encouraging "deep listening", a concept that invites you to pay attention, not only to the stories, but also to the silences and spaces between them.
Radio National presenter Daniel Browning curated the audio. His selections include 15 commissioned sound pieces, oral histories of Barangaroo before 1788, informal interviews and spoken word performances.
"BLAK BOX is one of our most ambitious projects to date – bringing together design, installation and sound for a unique contemporary storytelling experience," said Rosie Dennis, artistic director at Urban Theatre Projects. "Daniel has curated an intelligent, layered and thought-provoking program which grapples with the complexity of urban development, place and history."
BLAK BOX will make its world premiere at Barangaroo Reserve from 2–24 June, it's launch coinciding with Reconciliation Week, before touring Australia. The work is the first to emerge from a three-year partnership between Urban Theatre Projects and the Barangaroo Delivery Authority, which will see new sound and art installation in the same Barangaroo site every June until 2020.
Blak Box is located at Barangaroo Reserve and is open Tuesday–Saturday, 5.30–9pm; Sunday, 2.30–6pm. Entry is free, but reservations are recommended and can be made here.
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