Internationally acclaimed Natimuk based groups, Bambuco, Y Space and Transience will present two world premiere productions at the Chameleon Arts Collective’s Place and Diversity Festival, to be held at Balmoral over the first weekend in November. The Bambuco crew and Balmoral festival volunteers will use traditional south-east Asian bamboo scaffolding methods and 10 metre lengths of Chinese bamboo to build a performance structure over a period of four days preceding the festival. Titled “Theatre”, this installation will be a focal point for the festival grounds, and will also provide the performance space for a sneak preview of Y-Space and Transience’s latest work-in-progress, which they have titled “Clown”.
The President of Balmoral’s Chameleon Arts Collective, Suyin Honeywell, said she was thrilled to have secured these artists for this year’s festival, thanks to a successful application for support from Festivals Australia.
Bambuco was founded by Simon Barley in 1998. Barley’s background is in spatial design for theatre and dance and installation sculpture. After several year’s of research in South East Asia and experimentation with bamboo constructions, Barley broke into public recognition with his first large scale work, “Bridge”, built over two weeks for the Melbourne International Arts Festival, in 1995. Bambuco’s international experience now includes festivals in Germany, France, England, Russia and Singapore. “Theatre” has been designed to be a traveling work, with Balmoral chosen as the location for the premier performance. Barley’s aim will be “to create and ephemeral space for people, place, performance and poetry.”
Mt Arapiles based performing arts company Y Space is led by dancer and rock climber, Gillian Pearce. The group has created works in many high and unusual spaces. Y Space is well known for its 2002 Vigil for International Tolerance on top of the Victorian Arts Centre spire and more recently for “Cirque de Silo” and “Space and Place” performed on the grain silos at Natimuk. More recently the group performed on a 23 metre high, 1,000 ton coal dredger in Morwell, Gippsland, as part of the Commonwealth Games Arts Festival.
Working in collaboration with Y Space, internationally renowned artist, Dave Jones, principal of Transience, will return to the Chameleon Arts Festival, with his thought provoking and entertaining animations.
An opportunity exists for budding installation artists to work alongside the Bambuco artists in the construction process, for four days commencing on Monday the 30th of October. Those interested in participating are invited to phone Elise Armitage on 0427-503934. The places available are limited.
The opening of The Place and Diversity Festival mixed media art exhibition will take place on Friday the 3rd of November at the Balmoral High School hall. This exhibition will bring together over 60 artists from the south western region of Victoria. Public participation will be encouraged with the introduction of a prize for the People’s Choice, also to be announced at the exhibition opening.
Mrs Honeywell said that, in addition to the exhibition, the event organizers are working hard to put in place an extravaganza of artistic experiences across the course of the weekend. Visitors will be able to enjoy a craft and farmers’ market, listen to world music performances, take part in workshops and attend a literary forum. Along with Bambuco, Y Space and Transience’s performances, local musicians will play on into Saturday evening. Sunday’s activities will open with Gospel on the Green and a continuation of musical entertainment throughout the day. Along with Festivals Australia, Vic Health is also a major sponsor of the weekend’s events.
The Chameleon Arts Collective was formed in 2001 by a small group of artists and art lovers, with the aim of raising the profile of the arts in the region. Since its inception, the group has staged two highly successful festivals, with the Cultural Quencher festival held in 2004 attracting approximately 2,000 visitors to Balmoral over the weekend. The group has also sponsored visiting artists to the region and has recently established a dance group, Chameleon Kids.

Quality Craft & Farmers' Market

Quality Craft & Farmers’ Market on Saturday 4th November 2006, will feature as a
family friendly day as part of Balmorals’ Place and Diversity Festival.
Rural and regional foods, wines and produce will be in attendance during the Saturday captivating the senses and demonstrating local initiatives and businesses.
The musical sounds of South America and the Andes will flow from the instrumental expertise of Inka Marka . Inka Markas’ founder Jose Diaz Rodriguez , arrived in Australia a decade ago and decided to create South American music to keep him in touch with his cultural roots. For many years Jose, his brother in law Orlando Arais and friend Michael Bestin played the local markets and events. Recently they have recorded albums and performed regularly at the “Vic” market. The emanating pipe music will create the ultimate country market experience.
Local and regional producers including Glenelg River Rosemary , Stanley Honey, Boccahra Wines, Banji Bods and Karista Estate will be in attendance.
Live Entertainment will jump start from 11.30am with the local student talents of Chameleon Kids Dance & Movement Troup followed by “Thankyou and Goodnight”. Performances will run into the night with appearances from the Mason Bros.
Lisa and Kerry Cullivier , Inka Marka and Asiko.
Back by popular demand Lamine and Shona Honeyhill Sonko and their band Asiko, will be developing African drumming and singing techniques in workshop performances throughout the day culminating with a stage performance.
There will be guest appearance by Woodstock Park Productions from Melbourne throughout the day.
The five member performing artists with a combined experience of over 25 years have performed everything for Richard the third to Don Pedro to modern productions and film along side Judy Davis , Meryl Streep, Neighbours, Blue Heelers and Humphrey .B.Bear.
Workshops include Embroidery, Patchwork, Scrap booking and Environmental.
Workshop bookings can be made prior to event however will also be taken on the day. Numbers are limited.

Brian Dunlop

Sulman prize winner and Archibald prize finalist, Brian Dunlop, will be the guest judge of this year’s mixed media art exhibition, which will be the centre piece of Balmoral’s Chameleon Arts’ Place and Diversity Festival, held on the 3rd,4th & 5th Nov.
The President of Chameleon Arts, Suyin Honeywell, was ecstatic when this highly regarded artist readily agreed to choose the winner of the $500 Mabel Cameron prize for the champion exhibit of the festival.
Brian Dunlop is represented in all state galleries, Parliament House and most regional galleries throughout Australia. Brian now lives and works at Port Fairy. Dunlop is known for his landscapes, portraits and still life art works.
The Mixed Media Art Exhibition is the culmination of over 60 Chameleon Artists from the South Western Region Of Victoria . Dynamic artistical works in a variety of disciplines are showcased in one venue.
Chameleon Arts Collective was formed in 2001 by a small group of artists and art lovers to raise the profile of the arts in the western district of Victoria.
To inspire participation in the creative process and production of artworks, and bring together the district communities.
Chameleon Arts Collective has developed into a strong base of over 60 artists with the introduction of a Choir and Chameleon Kids 2005-2006.
Opening of the Exhibition will be Friday 3rd November 2006 at the Balmoral High School.
Public participation is encouraged with the introduction of the People’s choice award for the best exhibit announced on the Friday Evening.