Overview
The Northern Territory is gearing up to host its annual explosion of light and colour as Parrtjima — A Festival In Light returns to set Alice Springs aglow from Friday, April 7–Sunday, April 16. But first, it's bringing a taste of its luminous, immersive installations down south.
For the first time ever, the blockbuster event is hosting a spinoff showcase outside of the Red Centre, with one of the fest's regular installations, Grounded, appearing at Melbourne's Federation Square from Friday, March 10–Saturday, March 11.
Grounded features an animated sequence displayed via large-scale projections, blending Indigenous artworks and storytelling with enveloping soundscapes. Usually projected over red dirt at Alice Springs Desert Park when it features for Parrtjima, it's a captivating fusion of ancient culture and modern technology.
Here in Melbourne, it'll bring the Parrtjima concept to life in a very different — and urban — space. Visitors will be able to step right through the interactive installation as it's splashed across Fed Square's sandstone surfaces, immersing themselves in the visuals and Dreamtime stories as they flow.
You'll catch works from 12 artists showcased in Grounded, all of them previous Parrtjima participants. The bill includes names like Anne Dixon, Roseanna Larry, Marina Pumani Brown, Corban Clause Williams, Isaac Girrabul and Hannah Nungarrayi, with a range of art centres represented.
And prepare to be equally swept away by the matching soundscapes, composed by artists including Sydney-based hip hop act Wicked Beat Sound System and Filipino Aboriginal rapper Rhyan Clapham, aka Dobby.
Grounded will be free to experience, showing after dark each night.
A free, public celebration of Aboriginal art, culture and storytelling, Parrtjima heroes First Nations people via a bumper program of music, film, talks and workshops each year. Alongside dazzling installations, its lineup of musical acts is worth making the trip to the NT for alone, including Docker River Band, Emily Wurramara, JK-47 and KAIIT.
Grounded will appear at Federation Square from Friday, March 10–Saturday, March 11, showing from 8–11pm each night.