Floating Land Biennale returns to Noosa this October.
This year, Australia’s premier art-in-the-environment project draws on Noosa’s international reputation as a community and destination focused on caring for, and engaging with, the natural environment.
The 16-day event will feature 30 curated projects across two key sites – Boreen Point and the Park Road Boardwalk at Noosa Heads.
Installed along the foreshore of Queensland’s natural saltwater lake, Lake Cootharaba, a trail of contemporary art pieces will guide visitors on a journey of quiet reflection.
While the projects presented this year will bear a light touch and fleeting presence in the natural environment, Noosa Regional Gallery director and Biennale curator Michael Brennan said their brief occupation is intended to thoughtfully provoke the audience.
“Disarming attendees with humour, Fabrizio Biviano’s Black Swan Theory resonates on a number of levels,“ he said.
“The artist’s embrace of that distinctively Australian garden ornament – the tyre swan – appears to take joy in the kitsch. An element of dark irony, however, is that car tyres account for the second largest source of micro-plastics polluting the world’s oceans and waterways.“
“The title of the work,” Mr Brennan continued, “might be seen to apply to both our inaction on climate change, or even the specific onset of the current global pandemic. The Black Swan Theory refers to a metaphor that describes an event that both comes as a surprise and has a substantial effect, yet is typically and inappropriately rationalised afterwards, with the benefit of hindsight.”
Using art to provide an opportunity for audiences to engage in conversation about the environment, Floating Land: at the edge of ideas will include an abundance of site-responsive projects, tours, artist-led workshops, symposium, performances and unique opportunities for visitors.
Floating Land Biennale has a significant history at the picturesque Boreen Point.
After the resounding success in 2019 of Floating Land’s presence at Noosa National Park, the event is poised once again to present a unique opportunity for visitors to ‘happen’ upon art while exploring the stunning beach landscapes viewed from along Noosa’s acclaimed Park Road Boardwalk.
“Weaving amongst the trees, the works presented will borrow potency from their location, collaborating with the environment to add other layers of meaning to this picturesque space,” Mr Brennan said.
“Artist Debbie Symons’s acclaimed installation Sing, for example, features a collection of intricate, hand-woven pendant bird nests delicately suspended from the trees, playing pre-recorded bird songs of birds whose native environment is being lost exponentially through deforestation.
“Like many of this year’s exhibits, Sing explores emotions of wonder and loss, initiating our reflection of the intricate lives of our wildlife, and the rich biodiversity they are part of.”
Featuring local, national and international artists at varying stages of their professional careers, Floating Land: at the edge of ideas will run from 9 to 24 October. For full details of the artistic program and associated events, visit floatingland.org.au
Floating Land: at the edge of ideas will launch with a free community event at Boreen Point on Saturday 9 October, from 3 to 6pm. All welcome.
