Fremantle Biennale Unveils A New And Innovative Program Showcasing Immersive Art Experiences That Push Boundaries And Captivate Audiences.
- Written by Daily Bulletin
Featuring an impressive lineup of over 80 Australian, international, and local artists, performers, and musicians, the festival will delve into the themes of movement and communication across vast distances, spanning from the ocean to the island.
Taking place from 3rd to 19th November, the 2023 festival will completely transform the streets, buildings, and waterways of Fremantle. One of the notable events is the activation of the long-abandoned Elders Woolstores by Paris-based light and sound studio Nonotak, known as Satellites, marking its first use in over three decades.
Adding to the allure of the festival is the durational performance installation, Still Lives: Fremantle, presented aboard a historic pearl lugger. This captivating piece, by artists Luke George and Daniel Kok, was previously showcased at RISING Melbourne and the 2019 Venice Biennale.
The skies will come alive with a breathtaking display of works, including the much-anticipated sequel to the 2021 Moombaki drone show, titled Kooranup. Created by First Nations artists Yabini Kickett, Tyrown Waigana, Ilona McGuire, and Cass Lynch, Kooranup will unfold across three weekends in various locations, culminating on Rottnest Island.
As the festival commences, the break of dawn will usher in the immersive and grandiose audio installation known as The Port's Call. Harmonic and reverberating soundscapes, orchestrated by artists Tom Supple and Byron Scullin, will resonate throughout Fremantle Port, synchronizing with the arrival and departure of the port's imposing vessels.
"We are thrilled to unveil the remarkable lineup for the fourth Fremantle Biennale," expressed Tom Mùller, Co-Founder and Artistic Director. "This year, festival-goers will have the opportunity to encounter significant international artworks, awe-inspiring immersive installations, and impressive performances, many of which have never been witnessed in Australia before."
"We are excited to bring contemporary, thought-provoking, site-specific artwork to some of Fremantle's most distinctive locations, including the enchanting backdrop of Rottnest Island and the Elder Woolstores, which will be unveiled to visitors for the first time in over three decades."
To find out more about the festival, head to the Fremantle Biennale