Patricia Gill, Denmark Bulletin
The Big 30 Whizzbangaversary Exhibitionist Brave New Works operated on half the budget of BNW29 but exceeded all expectations with 45 works in the festival.
Most of these were from Denmark artists but there was the occasional international artist and others from elsewhere in WA adding their talent to the three days of fun from January 24-28.
The experimental, multi-art form community arts festival is designed to celebrate all things brave and new.
Denmark Arts manager and BNW coordinator Nelson Gilmour, who has left WA to study at the NIDA, said the calibre of works was incredible, particularly the response from Denmark.
“It was testament to the community, and there was a lot of in-kind support which we were really grateful for,” Nelson said.
“A lot of the artists had come to Denmark in the last year or two and the festival was a good way for them to put themselves out there.”
Voted the ‘most memorable’ and ‘most brave work’ at the festival was Myla Rose’s Roots, a collaborative dance movement, sound and spoken word performance from a group of women.
They explored a journey of reconnecting to cultural heritage and lineage.
Nelson described the work as deep and moving.
The most unexpected work was Kus Rolph with DJ Burns in the Wasteland Saga.
This, not for the faint-hearted performance, involved a cosmic traveller returning to earth and emerging from his vessel after 45 light years to warn humans what is in store if they continue the same way.
Wasteland Saga had been built on a pub conversation among the Albany artists with, as Nelson said, BNW providing a platform to launch their creation.
Italy-based Piuma Pow! from the Di Fillipo Marionette Puppet Theatre Company was joined by another international act, an impromptu performance from Irish traveller Brian Cavanagh.
He had wanted to take part and Nelson said: “he was brave enough to ask and I was brave enough to let him offer something new to BNW.
“We were blown away – similar to J Eden and his prison rock piano at last year’s festival.”
Brian performed accomplished a cappella renditions of Irish folk songs.
Twice-time Melbourne International Comedy Festival Comedy Class Clowns finalist Hardy Croucher appeared.
Veteran artist and sound technician David Nile took part in his 30th BNW festival, the only person to have done so.
Warren Blackwood MLA Jane Kelsbie presented Lotterywest funding of $33,662 to Nelson and Denmark Arts chair Louise Cato at an opening ceremony.
This will help fund two community arts festivals – Brave New Works and The Denmark Festival of Voice.
Jane said Denmark Arts’ events brought people together from all walks of life, all ages, all platforms.
“They express what is intrinsically Denmark – our creative, quirky and embracing community,” she said.
The funding will enable Denmark Arts to secure artists, cover equipment and technology hiring costs, and consultation with First Nations’ people.
See all the pictures in the issue.
This article appeared in the Denmark Bulletin, 8 February 2024.
