School, Adult and Family Program Story by Tyrion Perkins The exhibition of an illustrator’s work is always a highlight of the Story Arts Festival in Ipswich, but this year it took on new meaning as Narelle Oliver passed away during the planning stages in October last year. Jenny Stubbs, organiser of Story Arts, had first talked with Narelle about the exhibition in 2015. Jenny suggested focusing on her book “Rock Pool Secrets” that was due to come out in 2017, but Narelle said she was working on a new book that would include some of her artwork from past works. Thus the exhibition focused on “I want to be in a book.” When you walk into Ipswich Community Gallery, the character Cecil guides you through the exhibition of Narelle’s original artwork from the book, complete with handmade notes. He was a little outline drawing that sat on Narelle’s wall for many years, watching her make book after book. One day, she felt, he wanted to join in and be in a book himself. Thus, the book (and exhibition) shows his adventures as he has a go entering many of her other books, but eventually gets to have his own. You can take part with interactive elements by downloading an app to your phone or tablet. When you hover it over small pictures on the wall, Cecil starts to move about. This Augmented Reality component was created by Activate Entertainment, led by Tyronne Curtis. Watch Cecil move around the room, swim, and even blast off in a rocket. The exhibition was curated by Lee FullARTon who had first met Narelle in a festival ten years ago. They did an artist in residency together at Riverview State School with Darryl Bellingham. She has a lot of affection for Narelle and it was a work of love to put together the exhibition. Narelle’s husband, Greg, daughter Jessie Oliver and friend Megan Daley helped put together a replica of Narelle’s studio, complete with actual furniture, tools, and bits of artwork.
Also on display are some of her lino prints, and Lee showed students the painstaking process of carving one out. You can also flip through books of many recognisable art from her other books. Lee spent the week of Story Arts leading school students through the exhibition, and asked each what memory they would take with them? They said “The artwork,” “books,” “the studio,” and “how amazing Narelle must have been.” The exhibition also includes animations outside the gallery at 6.00-7.00pm each evening. These are drawn by students from Bethany Lutheran Primary School and Blair State School, and animated with elements of Narelle’s own work by Miles Blow and Jules Pitts. The exhibition will continue until the end of September with children’s workshops on 20th, 21th, and adults on 24th September. To book into the workshops go to idtl.net.au. You can even get to know the exhibition in detail, as Lee is also looking for volunteers to help for a day or even half a day. Shifts are 10am-1.30pm and 1.30pm-4.00pm. Email Jenny at [email protected] if you would like to help.
0 Comments
Adult Program Story by Tyrion Perkins Saturday 9 Sept 2017 I dressed in my costume that I had brought for the steampunk-themed dinner to introduce two experts on the topic: Avril Sabine and Clive Peterson. Avril has been writing speculative fiction for children and YA from a young age. She has published more than 50 of them since 2014. Her Rosie Ranger series is steampunk in a wild west setting. Her husband Clive likes to make things, and has made many of the creatures and gadgets found in Avril’s books. Avril showed us a slide show of pictures that inspired her work and said how Steampunk is usually 1800s England, or Wild West U.S. It is Science fiction that uses the technology of that time. The genre began with books from that time such as “The Time Machine,” “Frankenstein,” and books by Jules Verne, but the term was first coined by science fiction author K. W. Jeter in the 1980s. There are many more recent titles, more famous ones include “Howl’s Moving Castle,” and “Northern Lights.” Similar books set in the future are termed cyberpunk, such as Lance Balchin’s “Mechanica.” They showed us the steam powered wings from book 1 of Rosie’s Rangers. The wings actually go in and out, though powered by battery rather than steam. The snake is from book 4, and Clive wore an outfit that resembled one of the character’s mech arms and leg. They began making these things to display at book events, and I’m sure every passing person will be impressed enough to stop and have a look. Clive also makes many of the little insect-like creatures out of metal and recycled materials. They have a scientist check all the sci fi aspects, to see if the technology is realistic. Their daughter, who accompanied them today, checks all their horse facts, as well as doing the graphic design for the book covers. For more of Avril’s books: www.avrilsabine.com See more of Clive’s creations: www.brokengatepublishing.com/rcw Adult Program Story by Yvonne Mes Sandy Fussell is an accidental writer. She started out in computing, but when she was included in a writer’s group with experienced authors she got the push she needed. Once her stories became published she had to face a challenge, a fear of speaking to groups. This meant that doing author talks in schools was nerve wrecking. At the time there was a great opportunity for emerging writers who were linked with experienced writers to mentor them through the school talk experience. Sandy shared how she has developed writing workshops for children using Minecraft. Minecraft is a well-known virtual sandbox game, where children build their own world and aim to survive and thrive. Sandy uses the characters, landscape and inbuild challenges to inspire children to write their own stories. Sandy finished her session by sharing practical the practical uses of software Trello which not only assists writers organising their writing life but can also be used to plot out their stories. Sandy Fussell is a best-selling author of books and short stories for young people. The Samurai Kids series garnered an International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) award for Outstanding Books for Readers with Disabilities three CBCA Book of the Year Notables. Her picture book, Sad, the Dog, was recommended in a New York Times review, she was shortlisted by the CBCA for several other of books. School, Family and Adult Program Story by Tyrion Perkins I still can’t believe there is a musical of Sigi Cohen’s and James Foley’s “My Dead Bunny.” And that’s after seeing it. Just two years ago I was hearing all about the funny/creepy book about a boy’s pet who comes back not quite right after death, and seeing the book trailer. Today I listened to the music and watched children around me tap their feet and even jig to some of the songs performed by That Production Company. It began with a bleak black and white set, the costuming and props matching the colour scheme of the book. The audience entered to the sound of creepy music that built up an atmosphere that lead to screams when lightning and thunder struck and Brad made his first appearance. The owner of Brad and his family sang the tail of how his poor pet met his electro-fried end, and how the boy came to dig him up. Brad was played by a large puppet when alive, and a silent but menacing Gary Farmer-Tricket in a green-tinged rabbit suit. The music was enjoyable. I particularly liked the one where Brad’s owner can’t sleep for the sounds of something “hopping down the hall.” The singers were all good, and the lead boy’s voice outstanding. We saw all the key moments in the book, with a few new events so it went for nearly an hour. The year five and six classes loved it, but I wouldn’t take the younger ones, as it is a bit scarier than the book. This stage version adapted by Cassandra Ramsay and Timothy Wynn with music and lyrics by Lizzie Flynn hits all the right notes. See it – if you dare... http://www.thatproductioncompany.com.au/ |
Blogging Team 2017
Tyrion Perkins ArchivesCategories
All
|