The Blak Infinite: Ellen van Neerven

“To create and assert vibrant futures is a powerful and vital act of resilience and resistance.” — Ellen van Neerven

Two new text commissions by Ellen van Neerven (Mununjali, Yugambeh and Dutch) take over the Big Screen, speculating on the limitless futures of First Peoples. During the day, the screen will be in a constant flow of information. In this text that shouts to us like news headlines, Ellen declares that we are on post-apocalyptic land, and that First Peoples are not only key to this land’s past, but also to its future.

As the Sun sets, we transition into yaburuhma dugun (always sky), providing time to reflect. The text acts as a love letter to the night sky and the ‘space library’ – referring to the teachings and information held within the Milky Way and beyond.

Ellen’s words have the power to silence the surrounding city noise and allow us to imagine a more beautiful, equitable future where First Peoples don’t just survive, but thrive on their lands.

Artworks

Shoutlines
Location: Big Screen, Main Square
Animation: Sai Karlen
Duration: 10 minutes, looped
Time: screening daily, 5am-5pm
2024

yaburuhma dugun (always sky)
Location: Big Screen, Main Square
Animation: Sai Karlen
Duration: 4 minutes, looped
Time: screening daily, 5pm-5am
2024

Fed Square and RISING present The Blak Infinite, co-curated by Kimberley Moulton (Yorta Yorta) and Kate ten Buuren (Taungurung).