The Blak Infinite

Overview

For RISING's 2024 run, Fed Square is becoming a huge hub for First Nations people to share their stories through a series of art installations. For the entirety of the winter festival, from Saturday, June 1–Sunday June 16, punters can head down to not only enjoy beautiful works of art, but to also participate in important political discourse concerning First Nations people.

Richard Bell's EMBASSY is at the heart of this. Inspired by the original Aboriginal Tent Embassy, pitched on the grounds of Canberra's Parliament House in 1972, EMBASSY will be a space where people can come to listen and participate in conversations led by First Peoples. The program features daily film screenings and a whole host of talks with activists, writers and artists every Saturday of RISING 2024.

Once the sun sets each night, Fed Square will then be lit up by a series of projections. Tarryn Love's ngaka - look here shares stories of Sky Country and the cosmos, and aims to transport viewers into celestial knowledge.

Tony Albert, Cros Circles in Yogya 3 2016 ©️ Tony Albert, courtesy of the artist and RISING

Tony Albert's BEAM ME UP The Art of Abduction immerses us in themes of alienation, belonging and place through colourful installations as well as a special children's program.

You can also explore further parts of Fed Square throughout the festival to find a collection of other works. This includes two works of speculative fiction from acclaimed writer Ellen van Neerven on the big screen, a collection of collages from Kait James and a massive piece of art from Josh Muir.

For The Blak Infinite team, "these works across the square offer alternate narratives and ways of seeing the world, and collectively speak to the unlimited sovereign connections held across communities in Australia."

Be sure to take your time exploring The Blak Infinite during RISING 2024, whether you're personally contributing to the conversations or just listening to what the artists are sharing.

Michael Cook, UFO Possums ©️ Michael Cook, courtesy of the artist and RISING

Top image: Richard Bell, Aboriginal Embassy at the Tate Modern 2023, courtesy of the artist and RISING