10_05_2010

After picking up curators Axel Lapp and Adelaide Bannerman at the airport this morning, and dropping them at the Sofitel Hotel, I met artist Danica Dakic and hopped into a taxi and escorted her to Pier 2/3 for her media briefing and the Friend’s Briefing.  The Friend’s Briefing was a sneak peak for members/supporters of the Biennale.  For $199, members are given access to special events, and in this case, they had the privilege of hearing Dakic personally speak about her work Isola Bella (2007-2008) at Pier 2/3, and the opportunity to take in the other artworks at the venue before they opened to the public.  The other artists featured at Pier 2/3 include Newell Harry and Paul McCarthy.  From there, I went over to the Museum of Contemporary Art, where I was responsible for photographing the larrikitj ceremony.  The ceremonial opening for the 110 larrakitj memorial poles, by 41 Yolngu artists from Arnhem Land, involved traditional song and dance by a male collective of Aboriginal men.  A few Aboriginal elders were present for the spiritual ceremony too.  It was extremely moving, especially when there was mention of the recent passing of a number of artists that painted the poles, followed by a minute of silence by the audience.  The poles were traditionally used in funeral rituals, painted with specific clan designs from the deceased.  It was an honour to be involved in such a thing.  Following the ceremony, artist Barthelemy Toguo did his “guerrilla performance” Punishment on the front lawn of the MCA.  For it, Toguo stood in an oil barrel and labouriously drank a one litre bottle of water, over the span of twelve minutes.  The water bottled pointed to the sky, his arms out to the side like wings, as the sun set over the Sydney Opera House in the background, and reflected straight through the bottle, Toguo dramatically drew out the drinking of the water, so you too, as the audience felt his “punishment” as air bubbles rippled through the bottle.  Also, Kate and Nisa had to shoot out to Marrickville to get him the barrel, since he decided to change his performance just two hours before it was scheduled to happen!  I took snaps, and looked after whatever Toguo needed before, during and after the performance (with the other interns too of course).  Kate was also Tweeting the entire time.  The hectic day was rounded out by some well-deserved drinks at the Opera Bar, where Biennale staffers, artists, curators and all those involved with the Biennale (like interns!) enjoyed some champagne and time to mingle (and network I suspect!).  So awesome to be in the thick of it all!

Me and Danica Dakic