FREE PROGRAM PROUDLY MADE POSSIBLE BY
SPIRIT OF AKASHA CELEBRATING MORNING OF THE EARTH AUSTRALIA/WORLD PREMIERE
SPIRIT OF AKASHA CELEBRATING MORNING OF THE EARTH AUSTRALIA/WORLD PREMIERE CONCERT HALL SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE 25 JANUARY AT 7PM 3HRS INCLUDING INTERVAL A FILM BY Andrew Kidman EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Chris Moss DIRECTOR Andrew Kidman PRODUCERS Andrew Kidman Albert Falzon Chris Moss ASSOCIATE PRODUCER Nicole Salisbury EXECUTIVE PRODUCER, SOUNDTRACK Heath Bradby PRODUCERS, SOUNDTRACK Andrew Kidman Tony Harlow Chris Moss Albert Falzon LIVE PERFORMANCES AT SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE BY Xavier Rudd POND Canyons DJs Andrew Kidman & The Windy Hills Jack River Grouplove All photos: Andrew Kidman
Very special thanks to Tony Harlow without whom none of this would have happened. A Heritage Surf Australia and Warner Music Australia Production
SPIRIT OF AKASHA
FROM THE DIRECTOR
FROM THE PRODUCER
In 1972, Albert Falzon made a film that would forever change the way the world thought about surfing. The film was Morning of the Earth. For many people it was the very first time they came to recognise surfing as a complete lifestyle. This recognition, coupled with mindblowing, innovative surfing, made the film a classic that has remained vital for over 40 years. Falzon’s portrayal of all things pure and simple influenced generations, and passed on an enduring sprit to our culture, our music, and our lifestyle.
I believe Morning of the Earth is as relevant today as when Albie released it in the early seventies. It transcends time and age with its innocence, pure vision and beauty. It touches a part of the human soul that can’t easily be explained. Morning of the Earth helps us understand why surfing is such a beautiful adventure to take part in. It is a very rare and important piece of work, and remains an inspiration. A beautiful film from the heart.
If you could string your moments of pure bliss in surfing through your entire life, like pearls on a string, then a great story would unfold and your time here would not have been wasted.
Spirit of Akasha is a brand new Australian film that reaffirms Morning of the Earth’s ethos of soul and spirit in the present day context, proving its values still have an enduring impact on us all. Spirit of Akasha makes its World Premiere at Sydney Festival 2014 at the Sydney Opera House, a venue with its own iconic association with presenting surfing films over the last 50 years. This exclusive screening in the Concert Hall is accompanied by its soundtrack performed live by guest artists including Xavier Rudd, POND, Canyons DJs, Andrew Kidman & The Windy Hills and Jack River.
Being involved in the creative process of honouring Morning of the Earth in a modern way has been a wonderful experience. Listening to, and watching the offerings from the different musicians and filmmakers as they submitted their homages to Albie’s masterpiece, was one of the most inspiring things I’ve ever been involved in. Andrew Kidman
It would be the story of a deep connection with the ocean forged from a lifelong commitment to an idea. As humans, everything that we are, everything that we have done and everything that we have yet to do must first exist as an idea. The great works of art and science and healing that have everlasting benefits for the life of human kind originate as ideas. As such they materialise from somewhere beyond time and space. In the east, this place is known as Akasha, a universal dimension from which all ideas, all life and all creation originate. Through our connection to the ocean, we allow the spirit of life to embellish us; to keep us connected to that field of everlasting beauty that creates all things, and is all things – The Spirit of Akasha. Albert Falzon
ANDREW KIDMAN Australian artist Andrew Kidman works in many mediums. Each discipline, be it music, writing, painting, photography, surfboard shaping or films is born from his innate connection to the ocean. Kidman’s documented and recorded works evolve over many years, allowing them to take on a life of their own. His patience and dedication to subject is remarkably rare in the modern day commercial arena. Often dealing directly with the documentation of his peers and his own personal experiences, the stories he chooses to tell don’t expire but grow more complex with time. Among his works are the films Litmus, Glass Love and Last Hope. Last Hope in particular being a film that merged the creative aspect of surf and art. An accomplished musician, Kidman has written and recorded music for Spirit of Akasha, some of which will also appear on his latest album release Fall Of Planet Esoteria with his band The Windy Hills. Kidman has also published a number of books, most notably Lost in the Ether, Way of the Bird, a film/book documentary detailing the finer points of surfboard design, Ether, and more recently the book Single based around Steph Gilmore’s single fin session for Spirit of Akasha. The end result of his work offers an un-namable and moving familiarity
to those it reaches. Yet it consistently embodies an unfamiliar meditative ‘otherness’ very particular to him. This ethereal aspect is an invitation to take a deeper look. ALBERT FALZON His inaugural feature film, Morning of the Earth was the first Australian film to receive a gold record for album sales. His entry in the Cannes Film Festival, Crystal Voyager, featured music from Pink Floyd. Talking Heads and Brian Eno accompanied an Indian Saddhu’s pilgrimage in Same as it Ever Was. Falzon’s career in filmmaking was a natural progression from international still photography, and later combined with magazine publishing, in Australia, Israel and Bali. He was co-founder and publisher of the surfing newspaper Tracks. His perceptive and sensitive photographic eye almost suggests that he was born with a camera to it. A penchant for travel, particularly to remote and spectacular regions in the world, has had a major influence on the themes of Falzon’s work. A six-part documentary series, focused on traditional festivals in such Far Eastern countries as Sri Lanka, India, Burma, Ladakh and Tibet, has sold to over 40 countries world-wide. Another film The Road to Timbuktu followed a path from Casablanca across the searing Sahara Desert to Timbuktu on the African Ivory Coast.
He has also directed two long-version music videos for Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records and was DOP on Women of Spirit, a one-hour television program recently filmed in India, New York and London. SPIRIT OF AKASHA AND MORNING OF THE EARTH SOUNDTRACKS To coincide with the release of Spirit of Akasha, two new soundtracks will be released on Friday 24 January. The Spirit of Akasha soundtrack features mainly original songs composed and recorded by musicians with strong ties to the surfing community and includes a rare Brian Wilson recording. Other artists featured include Atoms for Peace, Andrew Van Wyngarden, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Xavier Rudd, Angus Stone, Matt Corby, Dirty Three and many more. To accompany the release, the original Morning of the Earth soundtrack will be released in a double-CD set, coupled with a tribute album Morning of The Earth Reimagined, featuring re-recordings by POND, Xavier Rudd, Andrew Van Wyngarden, The Autumn Defense, Busby Marou and many more.
Akasha is the fifth element, the centre of all things. It is the spiritual force that Earth, Air, Fire and Water descend from. It is the combination of these four elements that make up Akasha, and Akasha exists in every living creature. It is within you – without Akasha, there is no SPIRIT, no SOUL, no MAGIC...
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FESTIVAL VILLAGE AT HYDE PARK
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