The Kaldor Public Art Projects series is getting down and dirty for its latest edition, as it unveils Asad Raza's newest work: Absorption. The first Aussie exhibition for the New York-based artist, this unique installation sees the Clothing Store at Carriageworks transformed into a dynamic soil processing site.
Watch as a team of 'cultivators' works through almost 300 tonnes of materials sourced from the region, including sand, clay, spent grain, silt, coffee and green waste, to whip up a whole new earthy concoction, or neosoil. You can even take some home for yourself.
Backing up the dirty stuff, Raza has also invited a bunch of other artists to lend their own talents to the installation. The cultivators are decked out in wearable art designs by Agatha Gothe-Snape, a captivating light display comes courtesy of Daniel Boyd, and a turf creation by Khaled Sabsabi lies buried beneath the soil. Megan Alice Clune has also crafted a soundscape to complement the soil's ever-changing nature and a performance piece by Brian Fuata adds an eerie element to the whole space.
Featured alongside is a broad-ranging public program of extras, including a reading hosted by feminist reading group Composting (Tuesday, May 7 from 6pm) and a synthy pop performances by singer-producer Chun Yin Rainbow Chan (Thursday, May 9 at 7pm). While all the after-hours events are free, you will need to sign-up via the website.
Asad Raza's Absorption is open daily from 10am–6pm.
Images: Kaldor Public Art Project 34: Asad Raza, Absorption. Photo: Pedro Greig.