MEDIA RELEASE

Celebrated UK artists arrive in Western Sydney

Released 21 February 2008

Information and Cultural Exchange
PO Box 4033 Parramatta NSW 2124 Australia
T: +61(2) 9897 5744 / F: +61(2) 9897 5766

Acclaimed media artists Proboscis arrive from the UK this week to collaborate with ICE on producing their new work Lattice, as well as hosting a round of workshops eagerly anticipated by Western Sydney artists.

Renowned for their collaborative projects around the world, Proboscis looks at ways of connecting traditional arts with new media forms. Their projects explore the relationship between individuals, communities and the environment they inhabit.

Granville-based Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) will host Proboscis in a project supported by the British Council in Australia and the Foundation for Young Australians.

During the three-week residency, Proboscis’ Alice Angus and Orlagh Woods will hold collaborative workshops for Western Sydney artists looking at what the city means to people and developing new methods of sharing stories, ideas and creativity in local communities. Lattice: Sydney is part of the larger Lattice project to engage communities in East Asian Cities in exploring creative and environmental sustainability in urban landscapes.

The Proboscis team will also hold free half-day Exchange Labs, where a select group of artists and arts workers will workshop project ideas with Proboscis looking at how to develop new networking skills and tools to engage their communities.

Alice Angus, co-director of Proboscis (http://proboscis.org.uk), says the organisation looks for new and different ways to collaborate.

‘Our aim in Lattice is to collaborate with practitioners from a variety of disciplines, in both new and traditional media. It’s a chance to explore our changing relationships with our communities and our environments.’

The residency will culminate in a free symposium open to the public on Friday the 7th March at the Granville Youth, Community and Recreation Centre from 9am – 1pm.

According to ICE Chair Ross Gibson, it’s a rare opportunity for local artists.

‘The word ‘proboscis’ means a long nose, like on an elephant,’ he said. ‘Proboscis took their name because their mission is to “sniff out” new creative ideas and methods. And they’ll be doing that right here in Western Sydney, giving local artists a chance to work with an internationally renowned creative team,’ he said.

ICE receives core support from Arts NSW and the Australia Council.

Symposium RSVP to Anique Vered at ICE on 9897 5744 or anique.vered@ice.org.au

MEDIA ENQUIRIES:

Contact Sarah Goodes at ICE on 0411 878 250 or sarah.goodes@ice.org.au