Sounds of Wanderlust

Abstract

Background This event was a musical response to Luke Jerram’s GAIA installation and my role consisted of curating and directing all artistic aspects of the event. The concert was a major outdoor classical music event inspired by, and performed around, Jerram’s GAIA installation. My curation of this project represents a continuation and expansion of my previous artistic research in curatorial roles and an interest in juxtaposing music of different periods and ethnic styles. In this case the music was performed on a variety of instruments and voices, including indigenous Australian voices and instruments. I also directed the lighting and staging of the event, which was for me a new extension of my artistic skills.

Contribution This research was an important expansion of my own artistic research practice in the area of curation and it also made a contribution to deepening the presenter’s and the local community’s understanding and perception of the GAIA installation. My curatorial work and direction contributed to new knowledge in the area of interpreting an installation through music, lighting and staging. The installation came with its own soundtrack and lighting guidelines for static viewing of the work and traditionally this has been how it was presented, but this concert activated the space around the work and therefore enhanced and expanded its message and impact. In essence, my work can be seen as a retrospective collaboration with the creator of the installation.

Significance This was a high-impact performance featuring some of Queensland’s finest performers, and (due to earlier COVID lockdowns) it was one of the first major classical concerts held at this venue ( indeed anywhere on the Gold Coast) since March 2020. The event reached a live audience of 400 and was extensively featured in the media and on social media before and after the event.