The Moment Group are a recently formed group who yearn to create touching art which breaks down social conditioning. The creative team Kimberley, Zara and Kate come from a performance background and all share a desire to facilitate art which provides a completely new experience, an experience which is unique to each individual and which exists uniquely in the moment. Interested in the artistic notion of ‘Relational Aesthetics’, the group wishes to further push the ‘art as life’ notion by creating circumstances which participants must emotionally, physically and psychologically invest in. The beauty of the performance lies in the exchange between bodies, resulting in the creation of a relationship that would otherwise not be explored.
Portraits will consist of 4 – 6 talented intellectually disabled children who get to have their chance to shine as artists. They will each have a desk to sit at and participants get the opportunity to have their portrait drawn or painted by the child. This encounter will allow for a dialogue to open up, a dialogue which would not normally occur in ‘real life’. These children are smart, talkative and open to new friendships, though they have never been asked the question ‘how do you see me?’ – this piece allows for a multi layered and new perspective of the self.
Intellectually disabled children are viewed in our society with a certain stigma. Sometimes these children are feared, stared at, blatantly disregarded but overall just generally misunderstood by those who have never had contact with them. This piece seeks to break down these barriers via the creation of small and beautiful moments that allow for an eye opening encounter.
This project is a work in development and has a unique process behind it which is very community based. A series of visual art workshops will be held at Aspley Special School, in which the children can explore their own talents and skills. This process will allow for a bond and respect to be built between the creative team, the children, parents and teachers aides. The workshops will be programmed around subtly educating the children on art as well as letting them express themselves through new mediums.
Interview with Kimberley from the Moment Group.
A/S/L? (Age/sex/location)
Kimberley, 21, Female, Kelvin Grove
What do you think is the most interesting aspect of your work ?
The most interesting aspect of our work is actually the process behind it. The workshops we have been holding Aspley Special School have been a learning curve for us all, but so rewarding. It is amazing to see the progress of our group of kids, even in minute details. To see how far everyone has come is fantastic. I feel like our group of children are a precious and pleasant surprise.
What inspires you to create your work?
My inspiration, I think, comes from a desire to acknowledge what may seem foreign or out of bounds among different social circles, reach new parts of the self and expose an audience to art that they can react to.
What do you like about arts scene Brisbane?
The Brisbane arts scene feels really good at the moment. There is a buzz in air, like something is about to happen, an explosion waiting to happen? It feels really good to be graduating from the drama degree at QUT and ‘emerging’ because the scene is still evolving, it feels great to be amongst other supportive artists that want to ‘juice’ up this scene. It would be amazing to eventually saturate Brisbane with art.
What beast would you unleash?
I would unleash a beast could make you walk in someone else’s shoes.
The Mement Group will be performing on 5:00-6:30PM on Friday, 2:30-3:30PM on Saturday at Riverbend Terrace.
