Transforming a convict-built tower with First Nations art and animation

Jacqui North’s 3D light and sound show BREATHING UNDERWATER transformed the 1822 Macquarie Watchtower at La Perouse on the weekend. Jacqui’s bold meaningful climate artwork brought over 300 people to the site with 18 shows in partnership with?Be Productions?and was supported by?Randwick City Council.

Jacqui said La Perouse is special. “I feel connected to the ports where my dad worked. And honoured to be trusted to collaborate on Bidjigal land for this underwater story intertwining with history.” With six light shows at colonial sites including Hyde Park Barracks, Jacqui’s artworks aim to create shared campfires, to reconnect and emerge from digital isolation and covid. “And it’s so joyful to work with my team, animator Daniel Farrell and sound artist Tonalist, amazing?Be Productions, to hear First Nation’s stories, create and share art together in the real world.”

Dharawal, Bidjigal, and Dhungutti artist Garry Purchase was blown away. “Incredible and well beyond what I had in my mind.” Three paintings were animated, and 3D projection mapped onto 6.5 x 8 metres of convict-hewn sandstone walls. “It’s always very special to me to have my art home on traditional country and the land that inspired it… in my heart, to me that’s where it belongs.” Huge thanks?Be Productions?and?William Ratcliff?for technical excellence and working at heights with 4 projectors in the heritage building,?Randwick City Council's?Katie Anderson,?Roxanne Fea,?and Alana Strong?for supporting future-shaping creativity and connections.

Communities wanting to host Jacqui’s art or join the mailing list visit?https://north.productions/.?

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