Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
Driven by a deep longing for community, Joel Bray felt compelled to create an urban sanctuary where strangers can pause and gather.
The Wiradjuri choreographer designed the luminous campfire, which backs onto Melbourne’s city skyline, hoping to rekindle timeless human connection through art and dance.
It’s one of many works featured by 2500 artists at the Melbourne Fringe Festival, which kicked off on Tuesday and runs until October 18.
While there are many ticketed shows on offer, people can gather at Federation Square at all times of the day, with a sunset ritual held daily to admire Dhandha, which means campfire.
“Gathering around a campfire is one of the most kind of innate human instincts we have,” Mr Bray told AAP on Tuesday.
There are many places to dance in Melbourne, but there aren’t many like this, according to the artist, who has been part of the festival for a decade.
“I’ve designed the whole sculpture a little bit in response to what I think is a bit of an epidemic of disconnection that we’re experiencing now,” he added.
“You used to make eye contact with people on the train or the tram … but we just don’t do that anymore.”
The program also features comedy cabaret Krilling Me Softly by comedian Anna Thomson.
It’s a show that takes the audience on an underwater journey, drawing subtle parallels to the climate crisis through the personal story of a single krill.
“It is a comedy first and foremost,” Ms Thomson told AAP.
“There are parallels with this world and what’s going on, and the overwhelm we feel.
“But I came from a place of wanting to see a show that also had a bit of hope and connectivity amongst the audience.”
For the next few weeks, the festival is inviting people to be brave, curious and gloriously unconventional, Melbourne Fringe chief executive and creative director Danny Delahunty said.
“At the heart of Fringe is a simple belief, culture leads progress and that belongs to anyone,” he said.
“Anyone can make something happen, anyone can out their idea in front of their audience and everyone is invited to share as part of that.
“This year we are inviting Melbourne to be curious … Go somewhere you have never been and turn towards the heat.”
The 44th Melbourne Fringe Festival starts with a free dance party at Dhandha/Campfire on Tuesday.
