Kaleidoscope of Joy

Overlapping textures and vibrant colours in the music of Debussy imitate the visual aspects of Hernandez’s work Que te puedo decir, así son las cosas, inspiring our connection between these two works of art. They both explore the use of vignettes; small poignant scenes within a greater work and heavily ground their output in traditions of their culture. We invite you to consider the joy of ‘everydayness’ celebrated in Hernandez’s artwork as Debussy sonically reflects these beautiful yet ultimately fleeting moments.  

This sparkling marathon for solo flute by Ian Whitney taps into a variety of themes that Harrison explores in Bring it to the runway, runway. Bold virtuosity and groove evoke the exuberance and unabashed self-expression synonymous with queer nightlife, whereas moments of tension filled lyricism point to the struggles that many must overcome to find the strength and joy of self-acceptance.  Ultimately, we wanted to capture the vibrancy of colour and spirit that Harrisons celebrates so fully. 

The moment we listened to A Great Day we heard unmistakable joy. This expression of pure jubilation for solo harp showcases the instrument’s virtuosity, filled with brilliant flourishes and bright sounds that reflect the abundant vibrancy of Killick’s ‘pillar of joy’. Inspired by how Killick created the Joy Generator as testament to the power of positive change and as a tool for others to intuitively find joy within themselves, we hope you find A Great Day so inherently joyful that this emotion can't help but bubble out from within. 

In a piece inspired directly by the legend of the Simurgh, Luke Hendersen pulls on tonality and ornamental melodies from eastern music traditions to create a tune that feels suspended outside of time. Its groove captures an energy akin to flight and the push and pull of tension in the harmony evoke the ups and downs of the journey faced to reach Simurgh. We hope Alavi’s In Search of Simorgh inspires you to take time with the story of the conference of the birds and delve deeper into this rich and fascinating piece of Persian mythology. 

These short musical stories by Australian composer Sally Greenway spark vivid imaginations of childhood whimsy and play in nature. Three scenes depict an inquisitive bird, a secluded rose garden alive with the scent petrichor and a cheeky fox, brought to life by charming melodies and conversational passages between the instruments that invoke playfulness from the musicians. The suite pairs as the perfect companion to Orpin’s large and unabashed Bunny Dearest, both artworks asking us to tap into youthful parts of ourselves we may have accidentally lain to rest. We hope you share our love for this enchanting music and are reminded of how child-like joy may still manifest despite the everyday challenges of adult life. 

Drawing on sounds of the waterfall that once existed under Queens Bridge, we want to take ample time to acknowledge the First Nations custodians of this land and pay our respects to elders past and present of the Wurundjeri people. Tying into their traditions of music making and storytelling, that have occurred on these lands for tens of thousands of years, group improvisation combines deep listening, personal creativity and considered contribution to the whole in conversation with Money’s work Our Laughter Will Become the Waterfall. This reflects qualities we believe are central to cultivating an abundant, flourishing and healthy community. We invite you to consider your own communities; the close relationships fostered in these spaces and how place and nature play their part.  

It is hard not to feel a giddy overwhelm of nostalgia when you step into Preston’s Video Land. Preston has done an incredibly detailed job at recreating what used to be a place many visited weekly with family and friends, excitedly picking out entertainment for the weekend. In choosing a piece for this exhibit, we wanted something to spark that same joy of being reminded of something so beloved, but now of a different time. You’re very welcome to sing or hum along.