An intrepid audience of fifty gathered in the atrium of Federation Square at midday on a mild Saturday afternoon. Each person received a survival kit of snacks and tools that would see them through their day-long adventure. The exciting – and intimidating – schedule of one show every hour for twenty-four hours aimed to explore the hidden corners, laneways and buildings throughout Melbourne, showing a ‘living documentary of the lesser heard perspectives of a city.’
Starting with a scavenger hunt with participants in wheelchairs, The 24 Hour Experience also included synchronised swimming in the City Baths, performances in the GPO public toilets, and an interview with an ex-stripper. Spanning genres of digital media, performance, installation and audio-based works, the diversity of the 24 pieces demonstrated that there is no clear definition of live art.
In many of the works, the location had an important influence on how the pieces played out, as well as the interactions of non-participants with the pieces when performances spilled into the public space. It was sometimes not immediately clear whether the characters encountered were performers or members of the general public, which added to delightful sense of surprise and wonder throughout.
The half-way point was marked with a count-down to midnight in Federation Square, with popcorn and movies on the big screen. With 12 hour tickets also available, there were farewells to some participants gladly going to their beds at that point, while an influx of new participants joined the group. The camaraderie between audience members grew during the late hours, with supportive pats-on-backs and bleary-eyed chats to lighten the walks between locations in the dead of night.
One of the highlights was a 4am visit to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, where the audience heard about what happens to the human body in the hours after death. There were a few ‘casualties’ of squeamishness among the participants, as we viewed an autopsy room with intimidating tools on display.
Much of the experience felt surreal, particularly as night turned to day and we breakfasted on porridge at sunrise under blankets and cardboard boxes beneath Princes Bridge, as early morning joggers and cyclists passed by. Another highlight was when participants gathered on the steps of Federation Square at 9am Sunday morning to don robes and form an impromptu choir led by Jonathan Welch of the ‘Choir of Hard Knocks’ fame, belting out songs such as ‘Lean on Me’ to the amusement of passers-by.
The event organisers should be commended for their smooth logistical management in presenting the 24 different works, keeping prompt timing while leading the group between varied locations, and catering well for the hungry adventurers.
Finishing at midday on Sunday with a celebratory barbecue, there were only three members (including this reviewer) who had made it through the whole experience without escaping for a sleep. Foggy-headed but invigorated, we were cut adrift at the end of the experience; feeling a little lost at not having our upcoming hours planned out for us, leaving us to solitarily ponder our thoughts on our adventure.
The 24 Hour Experience was held as part of the new Festival of Live Art (FOLA), a collaboration between Arts House, Footscray Community Arts Centre and Theatre Works.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The 24 Hour Experience
Selected venues
Festival of Live Art
www.fola.com.au
29 – 30 March
