PLATFORM, an initiative of BlakDance and Abbotsford Convent, is a First Nations-led creative development program for multi-generational choreographers and contemporary dance artists.
Djirri Djirri dancers Mikayla George (Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung) and Kiera Hunter (Wurundjeri and Ngurai illum wurrung) under the leadership of Dr Mandy Nicholson (Wurundjeri, Dja Dja wurrung and Ngurai illum wurrung), will join choreographers Vicki Van Hout (Wiradjuri), Joel Bray (Wiradjuri), Carly Sheppard (Takalaka) to develop, produce, share and exhibit a diverse range of new contemporary dance works and expressions.
PLATFORM is produced by Senior Producer, Geoffrey Masters (Bidjara).
In August 2024, the choreographers gathered for a two-week residency at Abbotsford Convent, to develop concepts for new work. Artists and Leaders engaged with Elders through a consultative process towards agreed protocols and permissions. At the end of the residency, through a closed and informal sharing, feedback from Elders, peers and invited guests informed further development of the artists’ new works.
PLATFORM offers the opportunity to develop a bespoke Market Development Plan to support choreographers to reach target audiences for their new works. Photographer and visual artist Jody Haines (Palawa) worked alongside the choreographers to document the creative process for market development of their works, to be presented by Abbotsford Convent as an exhibition in St Heliers Street Gallery in May 2025.
Exhibition
Step inside the creative world of First Nations contemporary dance through PLATFORM – a striking visual documentary by Jody Haines capturing the power, depth and movement of some of the country’s most experimental and innovative choreographers.
Free and open to visitors during YIRRAMBOI Festival, this immersive visual experience takes you behind the scenes of the first year of a two-year creative development program where dance artists push boundaries, honour cultural lineages and create new cultural expressions of traditional movement and song.
PLATFORM
8–18 May 2025, 9am–9pm daily
FREE ENTRY
St Heliers Street Gallery
Abbotsford Convent
PLATFORM is an initiative of BlakDance and Abbotsford Convent made possible with the support of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Languages and Arts Program, the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Arts House and Dancehouse as part of YIRRAMBOI 2025.
