CRITICAL MASS: THE ART OF PLANETARY HEALTH EXHIBITION PROGRAMS | BLUE MOUNTAINS CULTURAL CENTRE

ARTIST TALKS SATURDAY 3 OCT, 11AM

REGENERATE: BLUE MOUNTAINS 3 OCT- 6 DEC

Join artists Janet Laurence, Hugo Moline & Heidi Axelsen and Locust Jones in a discussion of the ecological and artistic motivations of their work for the exhibition critical mass: the art of planetary health.

Regenerate: Blue Mountains invites local schools and families to creatively reflect on stories of resilience and growth in the face of bushfire. A collaborative artwork will be made from thousands of leaves decorated to represent the burning and regeneration of local resilient plant species during and after bushfires. The resulting installation will be displayed in the foyer of the Cultural Centre during the summer school holidays. The Regenerate project was developed by Orange Regional Museum and Orange Regional Gallery and has been adapted by Blue Mountains Cultural Centre using the Regenerate Tool Kit.

FRONT PAGE: Dean Sewell, In the Line of Fire 2019, digital print on Hahnemuehle photo rag, 80 x 102 cm. Courtesy of the artist. RIGHT: Regenerate: Orange installed at Orange Regional Museum (Image: Orange City Council) BELOW: Students from Nashdale Public School working on their leaves for Regenerate: Orange (Image: Nashdale Public School) OPPOSITE: Wagana Aboriginal Dancers. Image courtesy of Jo Clancy.

WEB WITH LEANNE TOBIN 3 OCT- 6 DEC Web speaks to the tenacity of community under duress. Catastrophic bushfires followed by the pandemic have stretched our collective psyche as people find themselves isolated and disconnected from loved ones and the wider community. The thin threads that hold us together become even more vital than ever. Web will begin with just a few threads with the community continuing to connect the pieces, stretching and tying recycled fabrics to create a collaborative installation in the gallery.

AUSLAN TOUR SATURDAY 24 OCT, 11AM Join local deaf guide Dr. Breda Carty for a discussion of the artworks and themes of the exhibition critical mass: the art of planetary health. Please note this tour is given in Auslan and no English interpretation is provided.

NAIDOC COMMUNITY DAY SATURDAY 7 NOV STORYTELLING WITH UNCLE LEX DADD 11AM - 12PM Sit with Uncle Lex Dadd and learn about the history and culture of the Darug people through storytelling, music, traditional tools and bush craft. CHRIS TOBIN PAINT-UP 12.30PM - 1.30PM Darug artist and educator Chris Tobin will share his ochre painting practice and welcomes you to leave your mark on the viewing platform pavers.

WAGANA ABORIGINAL DANCERS

YARNING CIRCLE WITH DAVID KING

PERFORMANCE AND WORKSHOP

3PM - 4PM

2PM - 3PM Jo Clancy, Jacinta Tobin and the Wagana Dancers have been sharing their dance, song and stories on Darug and Gundungurra Country for over 25 years. They have performed at many national and international festivals and events and their performances are layered with traditional and contemporary Aboriginal messages and inspirations. Join them at 2pm for a performance and workshop in the courtyard.

Gundungurra man David King will lead a Yarning Circle around Country and Connection on the viewing platform overlooking the valley. RSVP for all public programs essential at 4780 5410 or ccreception@bmcc.nsw.gov. au. Gallery ticket required for talks and tours. Limited capacities, social distancing and hygiene measures will be implemented.

ENABLING PLANETARY HEALTH: SUSTAINABLE TRANSITIONS IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS SATURDAY NOV 21 11AM - 3PM

COURTYARD PICNIC & TALK PROGRAM SATURDAY NOV 28

Join forward leading academics from Western Sydney and Monash Universities for discussions on the development of a sustainability model for the Blue Mountains region based on the principles of planetary health.

How can we creatively re-design the ecological and social systems in which we live to ensure the well-being of the planet? Hear from the creative minds working on inspiring grass roots environmental and artistic projects in their communities.

Prof Tony Capon (MSDI) - Planetary Health in the Anthropocene Assoc Louise Crabtree (WSU) - New Ways: Thinking About Resilience Prof Juan Salazar (WSU) - Planetary Health: Imagining Better Futures Leo Robba (WSU) - Visual Culture: Picturing a Shared Future Speaker times to be announced.

MORNING TALK: RE-DESIGNING THE FUTURE

11AM Lis Bastian - Mount Wilson World Heritage Regeneration Site 11.30PM - Leanne Thompson - Capertee Hydrology Project COURTYARD PICNIC 12PM - 2PM Bring your own picnic rug, gaze out over the Jamison Valley and sample tasty lunch hampers with a focus on fresh Blue Mountains produce.

This project is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW IMAGE: Capertee Hydrology Project. Photo Courtesy Alex Wisser

Buy your own veggies to take home from the Blue Mountains Food Coop tent or bring produce from your own backyard to swap at the Crop Swap tent. The Courtyard Picnic will also feature lunch time live music and kids activities like art making and planting sessions to help launch the Cultural Centre’s own rooftop bushtucker and veggie garden! AFTERNOON TALK: CULTURAL BURNING 2PM - 3PM Listen to traditional owners share their perspectives on the purpose and future of cultural burning as a tool for caring for country. Learn how cultural burning is being practiced in the Blue Mountains and across Australia today. RSVP for all public programs essential at reception or 4780 5410. Limited capacities, social distancing and hygiene measures will be implemented.