Illuminated by Fire

Carmel Wallace worked with her local community to produce an artwork that explores fire in a maritime and coastal context.The work is constructed as an 18 metre ship's hull filled with giant sculptural interpretations of Mellblom's Spider Orchid / Caladenia hastata / poyn poyn nyaneen eaneet, flora indigenous to Portland and dependent on fire for survival.

The floating hull references in particular the ship New Zealander that brought 465 emigrants from Scotland and Ireland to Portland in 1853 before it burnt to the waterline in the harbour, where its wreck still resides. The work is not intended to be a replica of this sailing ship, but a creative interpretation where sails are reworked to form the covering of the hull. In 2010 a squid boat also caught fire in Portland harbour, indicating the ongoing relevance of the issue of fire in the local maritime environment.

As the majority of Australia's population has an immigrant history and the issue of 'boat people' is very much in the news, the New Zealander story is pertinent in both historical and contemporary senses. The ship sculpture embodies the metaphors of freedom and new life, and of nurturing and regeneration - it cradles precious and rare native coastal orchids that were thought to be extinct for 30 years before being rediscovered after a fire on the local heathlands.

The performance culminated in pyrotechnic shows in Portland Harbour on 26th January 2011 and on the Yarra River in Melbourne from 28 June to 2 July 2011. It also featured the historic Portland whaleboat William Dutton captained by Bob Stone with piper Daryl Boyle in the bow.

A short film produced by Peter Corbett, with original music-score by Michael Wallace, was specifically commissioned as part of this project and shown both at ACMI and on the big screen in Federation Square.

Major local sponsors: Pacific Hydro and Portland Aluminium

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Carmel Wallace’s current art practice focuses on the advantages of a multi-disciplinary exploration of place and its ramifications for environmental awareness and ethics. Living in Portland, Carmel has made her home territory the subject of much of her work. She has employed a variety of media, including sculpture and installation, printmaking, drawing, and artist’s books. Works and projects include Marine Markers (2003); At Last a Seat for Vida sculpture (2008); Fresh & Salty – South West (2008); Walk (2006-2010); The Stony Rises Project (current); and SymbioticA (current).

For more about Carmel's work go to her website http://carmelwallace.com

Portland by Carmel Wallace - Victorian Bushfires

At Federation Square & on the Yarra River

27th July 2011

In Arts, Community, Cultural Exchange, Education, Emergency, Environment, Health, Music, Recovery, Story Telling, Victorian Bushfires

The outstandingly successful presentation in Melbourne of Illuminated by Fire, Portland was the result of great teamwork, much collaboration, and perfect weather!

http://www.abc.net.au/local/videos/2011/07/02/3259440.htm

Portland Community was very well represented as so many contributed not only in the making but also in the performance. Bob Stone and the whaleboat crew played a vital role throughout. Anton, Grant, James, Gerda, and Janice generously helped to get all the components together on the river bank in readiness for the Parks Victoria team (Chris and Gareth) to tow it out to it's mooring in the middle of the Yarra.

In the daytime, visitors could view the ship installation and whaleboat, and talk to the crew. A specially commissioned film for this project, produced by Peter Corbett with original score by Michael Wallace, was shown on the big screen in Federation Square as well as in BMW Edge theatre and in Studio 1 at ACMI.It can also be viewed at: http://vimeo.com/user596461/videos

The ship installation came to life on 4 nights on the Yarra River with a wonderful pyrotechnic performance set up by Tristan Hadden of ShowFX. The historic Portland whaleboat William Dutton, captained by Bob Stone, emerged from under the bridge & was rowed around the 'burning ship' with piper Daryl Boyle at the bow. Music carried across the water, followed by an explosion as the pyrotechnics began in earnest. From the riverbank a large crowd watched, silent at first as the music drifted over the still water, then loudly appreciative as the performance ended.

As an artist I appreciated the opportunity to bring the artwork and talented, hardworking Portland crew to Melbourne. Collaboration with RAV, ShowFX, Parks Victoria, & Right Angle Events enabled my vision to be achieved and shown in this spectacular city environment to new audiences. It was also rewarding to interact with the 10 other Illuminated by Fire artists and to present the Portland creation along with their wonderful and varied outcomes.

Illuminated by Fire Portland pyrotechnic performance on the Yarra_photograph by Grant Wallace

Illuminated by Fire, Portland_Yarra River Melbourne_installation_Carmel Wallace_photo by Grant Wallace

IbF Portland on the Yarra #3_Carmel Wallace_photo by Grant Wallace

Illuminated by Fire