journal(V4No2)
Celebration of the world’s indigenous cultures, especially those of Australian Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders
1997 The Festival of the Dreaming
202
11/15/01, 9:21 AM
Events by Australian companies and artists touring to countries in each of the five regions of the world represented by the Olympic symbol
1999 Reaching the World
August–October (Sydney)
2000 The Harbour of Life
30 exhibitions, 14 dance and theatre productions, 8 performance troupes, 50 films, a literature program, 3 concerts and special commissions involving overseas indigenous artists. Every Australian state and territory was represented. 92 presenting companies and 122 dance, theatre, visual arts, literary, music and education events
General: To increase awareness and appreciation of Australian indigenous heritage
General: To create a time-capsule of Australian culture at the end of the millennium for generations to come;
75-day event focused on Sydney Harbour and the Opera House: opera, theatre, dance and classical concerts; 30 visual arts exhibitions in key galleries and museums
70 events travelling to 50 countries and 150 cities or towns. Included dance, music, theatre, visual arts, literature, films, architecture and design Publication: “Australia on Show”, a guide to Australian arts broadcasting
General: To bring Australian arts and culture to international stages Specific: To establish collaborations with foreign governments and arts organisations
Highlights: Lighthouse and harbour concerts; touring exhibition “Sculpture by the Sea” Publication: “Anthology of Australian writing and photography”
To help people across the nation learn more about the arts in their country and demonstrate the importance of its geographic and cultural diversity
Specific: To ensure indigenous authorship and control of the work presented
Program
Objectives
Culmination of the Olympiad, General: To define the finest elements ‘a festival on a scale to match of Australian culture; To present works on a grand scale, the grandeur of the Games’ unlikely to be seen again in a lifetime; To establish artistic legacies
An exploration of the country’s cultural “transformations”
June–October (national)
November 1998–January 2000 (international)
A ‘snapshot’ of Australia’s diverse migrant cultures
1998 A Sea Change
September–October (Sydney)
Theme / Mission
Year, Name, Length and Location
Table 1: Olympic Arts Festivals – Length, Themes, Objectives and Program 202
García