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Overview
No longer do we have to imagine things like rainbow-coloured horses running through the streets — instead, American artist Nick Cave will make this vision a reality with HEARD.SYD. Involving 60 dancers and musicians and 30 colourful, life-size horse suits, the performance work will bring Sydney's streets to life, highlighting the beauty and joy of nature reimagined in contemporary art as part of the City of Sydney's Art & About program.
Co-presented by Carriageworks, each horse suit is inhabited by two dancers at a time, and the performance is set to a booming soundtrack of live percussion, aiming to transform and disrupt the daily activity of Sydneysiders with an exuberant explosion of activity. HEARD·SYD is a chance for those caught up in their daily routine to escape the bustle of the city for a moment. Each performance is free for the public to watch — Cave knows that a lot of us don't have time to visit art galleries, so he's making it easier.
This is the first time Nick Cave has presented a major work in Australia. One of the most important artists of his generation, he's best known for his 'soundsuits' - sculptures that combine art, fashion, dance and music. His 30 horses take inspiration from African ceremonial costumes, Tibetan textiles, and popular culture. Cave's work has political undertones — his first 'soundsuit' was created in response to racism he faces as an African-American man. When performers cover their faces and bodies they are building armour against any prejudice they may face, and viewers are forced to suspend any judgement.
Two performances will take place over two days — at Pitt St Mall on Thursday November 10 at 5pm, and at Carriageworks on Saturday November 12 at 10am, and again at 12pm.
Image: Nick Cave: Heard.Detroit 2015. Image courtesy of the artist and James Prinz Photogrpahy.
