Dates: Friday, 6 October – Friday, 20 October 2023
Times: Saturday – Wednesday, 11:00am – 4:00pm, Thursday – Friday, 11:00am – 8:00pm
Entry: FREE
Venue: Hills Hub, Emerald
Set 60, 000 years in the future, Topia questions humanity’s place in the landscape with an intimate display of film, sculpture and occasional performance. Journeying past the major threats facing us in the coming years, this exhibition sifts through a universe of possible evolutions for Cardina and its inhabitants of all species. Topia uses humour to play with ideas of location, evolution and time. It suggests that there is always hope even if finding good cheer requires rethinking every parameter, from physical laws to ideas of identity.
It aims to widen the scope of community discourse about tomorrow, next week, and next summer by shedding the current world and imagining a post-human time and place of peace.
This project is part of a Cardinia Arts Grants outcome.
Artist biographies:
Nicola Blackmore: Director, Topia
Nicola Blackmore is a collaborative filmmaker with an extensive career in documentary and current affairs, now working as a multidisciplinary artist exploring projection and immersive art.
Eden Byron-Thomsen: Motion Artist, Topia “Triangle”
With deep roots in stage and theatre, Eden brings generosity, excellence and artistic vision to all of her work as a teacher and creator. Stretching from the community realm through to academic discourse she forges precise links focused on linguistics and all forms of communication.
Nerine Love: Motion Artist, Topia “Circle”
There was only one choice to play the essence of Gaia as she/he/they might be expressed in 60 000 years. Founder of Kia Kaha yoga studio, Nerine is a teacher of the deep connection between the spirit, body and mind. A healer, shape shifting innovator, religion enthusiast and patriarchy smasher.
The Lyrebirds Community Choir led by DALYS in collaboration with Artistry of Pan: Soundtrack and Opening Night performance
A vibrant collective of musicians pushing the boundaries of song to create a unique soundscape for Cardinia’s future.
Explore the Topia website here.
Artwork credit: Nicola Blackmore, Eden_4.2.1, 2023