Blak Box Four Winds
An immersive installation that surrounds you with stories from Sydney's First Peoples.
Overview
Step inside Blak Box, a sound pavilion currently stationed in Blacktown, 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 the land — 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. It first popped up in Barangaroo last year, and has made a return for Sydney Festival. 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. The installation's latest incarnation includes dialogue from Elders Uncle Wes Marne and Aunty Edna Watson, and music from Emma Donovan and violinist Eric Avery. It's been described as a "21st century campfire".
"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 be at Blacktown Showgrounds until February 2. Performances happen each night at 6pm and 7.15pm and tickets are $35.
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