rowing, semaphore and paddling) choreographed to complement the sound work.
Photography by Dean Petersen - Cake Industries
NEIGHBOURHOOD
5 SHORT BLASTS – EXPERIENCE MELBOURNE AS A WATERFRONT CITY
magmedia.com.au
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5 Short Blasts can be experienced in three ways: • Jump on board the flotilla – book your spot on one of five small battery operated boats on the water throughout the Docklands • Tower Radio 89.5FM - sound installation will be broadcast over a 30 kilometre radius from the Old Harbour Master Tower on the North Wharf in the Docklands, during the performance time
A new arts participation project will take people on a nautical encounter to experience Melbourne as a waterfront city. 5 Short Blasts is an intricate audio based project focusing on the complex orchestrations of weather, industry, vessels and habitation in and around Melbourne’s docks.
along the Yarra River, recounting water tales through recorded interviews of those who work and play on the water. Each boat is fitted with a custom “sound esky” featuring a VHF marine radio that monitors weather broadcasts and vessel traffic from the Melbourne Vessel Traffic Service.
From Water Plaza in Victoria Harbour and Collins Landing at Docklands, audience members will board one of five boats to embark on a choreographed listening journey. Those aboard will have their attention shift from the land to the water – ports, jetties, harbours and the people that use them every day.
“In maritime operations, communicating via a signal of five short blasts means ‘I am unsure of your intentions – I am concerned we are going to collide.’ As a title, 5 Short Blasts evokes a sense of mystery and unknown about Melbourne's water culture,” said Flynn and Humphrey.
Floating on a large body of water in a quiet electric boat, collaborating sound-music artists Madeleine Flynn and Tim Humphrey invite audiences to navigate Melbourne’s waterways in a whole new way. Skippers on board will steer the boats through the Port of Melbourne and
Over the past 18 months, the artists researched many aspects of maritime life and conducted over 40 interviews with people connected to Melbourne’s waterways. These interviews make up the soundtrack to the work. During the voyage, the waterway communities will play out their usual waterside activities (including fishing,
• Web-Boat - a live online experience via a camera connected to one of the flotilla vessels, will be available during the performance times. Experience 5 Short Blasts online via www.5shortblasts.com.au 5 Short Blasts is produced by the City of Melbourne’s Arts Participation Program, with support from Port of Melbourne Corporation. From: Friday, 22 November – Sunday, 15 December 2014 Times Friday 6am & 7.30am / Saturday 8am & 9.30am / Sun 9am & 10.30am Duration 60 minutes Location: Flotilla 1 Departing Water Plaza in Victoria Harbour Location: Flotilla 2 Departing Collins Landing at Docklands Tickets: FREE. Bookings are essential www.trybooking.com/64695 www.5shortblasts.com.au
Good Health – Taking one step at a time! Taking place on the first day of summer at Melbourne’s iconic Tan Track, the Bupa ‘Take Steps for Good Health’ fun run and walk festival celebrates wellness and kickstarting sustainable, healthy habits with family and friends. The announcement of the festival comes as social trends research reveals Victorians are just as satisfied with their personal health as they were a decade ago, even though obesity rates continue to rise. Take Steps ambassador and leading nutritionist Dr Joanna McMillan said: “It’s fantastic that many Victorians are feeling personally satisfied with their health, but we need to make sure we have a level of awareness about the impact of what we consume and how active we are, it’s the small, achievable changes that help us get on, and stay on, the track to good health. The event is aimed at not just thinking about being healthier but actually taking steps to achieve it, participants will also be supporting diabetes research and camps for children living with diabetes, through Diabetes Australia. In keeping with small, manageable steps, the festival will draw Melburnians of all fitness levels for a choice of a 4km or 8km walk or run. The family-friendly event welcomes strollers and walkers as well as those wanting to run. It will also act as a ‘gateway’ to positive actions with a range of health and wellness stalls. The walk/run will be followed by Summer’s Healthiest Picnic with entertainment, games, live cooking demonstrations, healthy living stalls and more. Bupa ‘Take Steps for Good Health’ December 1, 2013 from 9am The Tan Track at Royal Botanical Gardens & Tom’s Block, Melbourne To register visit: takestepsforgoodhealth.com.au.