FIVE WHALES PROJECT Portland - on track for Saturday
27th October 2009
The Portland Upwelling Festival celebrates the Bonney Upwelling, a unique marine phenomena which, from November to May, drives a massive inflow of nutrient rich cold water to the south coast of Victoria, powering a seven month feeding frenzy of Blue Whales, crayfish, giant crabs, seabirds and other marine animals.
To acknowledge this phenomenon and mark the first Upwelling Festival, the Portland Tourist Association have engaged a major project called the Five Whales Project, created by Artistic Director Ian Pidd and involving six artists working in, and with the community to produce five life-size Blue Whales out of different media. The whales are being built for two weeks leading up to the festival on Saturday 31st of October and will be placed on the Portland foreshore for the day. Below are some in-progress pictures of this great community project, with the artists names and the medium next to each one.
Mark Cuthbertson: inflatable whale
Daniele Poidomane: puppet whale
Phil Cousins and Heather Richardson: sand whale
Nikki Pevitt: aluminium whale
Gordon Stokes: fishing paraphernalia whale
The Upwelling Festival Portland is a Portland Tourist Association initiative in partnership with Glenelg Shire Council.
Regional Arts Victoria supports the Upwelling Festival and the Five Whales Project through the Glenelg/Moyne Shire RADO partnership.
The Five Whales Project has been made possible by 'Festivals Australia', an Australian Government program which supports cultural activity at regional and community festivals. The project is also supported by 'Arts Victoria' through the Community Partnerships program.
The Portland Tourist Association acknowledges the support of Portland Eco Trust, Portland Aluminium and Pacific Hydro for their generous support of this project.
The PTA and Glenelg Shire Council also acknowledge the fishing community and 'Sew Simply' sewing group for their part in the project, and the support of the generous community volunteers - your assistance on this project has been gratefully received.
The Upwelling Festival on FACEBOOK
Member Comments
What a great project!
Kate Butler
(): 28th Oct 09
I love the diversity of materials, techniques and ideas that have gone into the 5 whales. I wish I could be there to see them but will make do with the photos you (hopefully) post here of the finished pieces. It would be great if the whales could tour and 'upswell' inland. Good luck with the Festival.
Whales!
Joe: 28th Oct 09
those whales look so COOL! looking forward to seeing them finished!
sweet whales
Deb Milligan: 28th Oct 09
oh I love those whales! Do any of them make noise? What a great project! I really wish I could be there. Please post lots of photos :-)
SOOOO exciting
Susie Lyons
(): 29th Oct 09
As the Events Development Officer for Glenelg Shire Council, I can't tell you HOW exciting this project is for Portland. The community has fully embraced it and with it the new concept for the Upwelling Festival. We are looking forward so much to Saturday and to the future success and longevity of our festival.
Congratulations to the 5 whale artists!
Jan Colliver - President Portland CEMA
(): 31st Oct 09
It's been a great day by Portland Bay, with imaginations and conversations fired by the 5 whales! Can't wait for people to upload the photos!
Community Arts and Community Music! Well done to the artists, volunteers and everyone involved.
Amazing
Craig Parkinson
(): 4th Nov 09
Great job Heather and Phil! Love the spout. Gordon Stokes whale is also amazing. Sends out such a positive message.
