Experimental

Conduit Bodies

An autobiographical memoir blending live performance with revolutionary technology.

  • Dates 9 Oct - 13 Oct [Digital 14 Oct - 20 Oct]
  • Time 7:30pm, 2:00pm, 12:00am (50 minutes)
  • Venues Digital Fringe, Arts House
$10.00 - $35.00
Sessions & Tickets
A photo of Melinda on stage, sitting in her wheelchair. She has short, sandy blonde hair, pale skin and is looking up towards the ceiling. She is wearing an orange jumpsuit and a long-sleeved top underneath with an abstract pattern in blue, pink, purple and orange. She sits in front of a dark, projected background image of a forest with tall trees. There is a typewriter on a stand to the left and a partially visible drumkit to the right.

Image Credit: Nicole Tsourlenes

  • Created and Performed by: Melinda Smith

  • Presented by: Melbourne Fringe and Arts House in association with Arts Centre Melbourne - Alter State

Performed by dancer, poet and visual artist Melinda Smith, and instrument inventor, composer and percussionist Alon Ilsar, Conduit Bodies explores the relationship between technology and the body, disability, assistive tech and the natural world.

In Conduit Bodies, Smith straps ‘Airsticks’ to both her body and wheelchair, taking us on a journey which challenges what constitutes dance and who dance is for.

The ‘Airsticks’ are an adaptable and wearable musical instrument which translate movement into sound, text and visuals. Co-designed and created by Dr Alon Ilsar, the ‘Airsticks’ combine the latest in motion tracking and wireless technologies to give immediate control over gestural data with fascinating transparency for audiences.

As Smith pushes beyond the constraints of expectation and towards expressive and communicative mastery, the work blossoms into an ecstatic crescendo of movement, explosive sound and visuals.

Unique, innovative and insightful, Conduit Bodies challenges stereotypes and preconceptions of disability, invites us to consider the limitations of form and presents us with a new frontier of live performance.

ARTISTIC CREDITS
Lead Artist/Performer: Melinda Smith
Composer/Performer/Instrument Inventor: Alon Ilsar
Interactive Media Artist: Sam Trolland
Creative Producer/Dramaturg: Zoe Boesen
Co-Producer: Hannah Reekie
Lighting Designer: Bronwyn Pringle
Production Designer: Jessamine Moffett
Original Costume Designer: Anna Cordingley
Movement Director: Jo Dunbar

This project received Cash to Create through the Fringe Fund, as part of Radical Access. 

If Melbourne Fringe's ticket allocation is exhausted, please try visiting the venue website.

This project received Cash to Create through the Fringe Fund, as part of Radical Access.

About Melinda Smith

Dr. Melinda Smith (OAM) is a multidisciplinary artist, mentor, lecturer with lived experience of cerebral palsy. Melinda holds an Order of Australia Medal from the Australian Government, and an honorary Doctorate from Deakin University for her outstanding contribution to the arts and her tireless work in breaking down barriers to inclusion for people with disability both in Australia and internationally. As a dancer, Melinda has collaborated with Dianne Reid, Yumi Umiumare, Penny Baron, Carolyn Hannah, Caroline Bowditch, Nick Papas and Sally Smith. In 2018, she created her first solo work, ‘Spasmotive,’ which challenged assumptions about different bodies, and the ways in which perceived ‘flaws’ can be embraced to enhance artistic expression. In 2020 Melinda became a Director of the Board of both Loom Arts and Management and the Women*s Circus. Melinda is currently part of the Women*s Circus ensemble ‘Momentum’ which has seen two performing seasons including the Alter State Festival at Melbourne’s Arts Centre in September 2022 and a season at the Bowery theatre in 2023. Melinda is proudly one of the AirSticks earliest adopters, helping co-design the instrument as part of the AirDancer project supported by AusCo and Monash University's SensiLab.

artshouse.com.au

  • Duration: 50 minutes

  • Event Accessibility: Blind or Low Vision Rating: Partially Accessible, Deaf or Hard of Hearing Rating: Partially Accessible, English no barrier

  • Age suitability: G

  • Event warnings: Both Sudden And Sustained Loud Noises.

Post-show Artist Talk
Thursday 10 October

Tactile Tour and Audio Description available on request for all shows – 48 hours notice required, email ArtsHouse.Ticketing@melbourne.vic.gov.au

Haptic Vests
Thursday 10 October, 7.30pm
Haptic vests translate sound frequencies to skin vibrations through 24 touch points. Priority given to d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.

Relaxed space 
These are not relaxed performances in the usual sense, but audience members are welcome to come and go as they please, be themselves, make noise, stim, and respond to the work for the duration.

An Access Guide will be available prior to the performance. 

Auslan Interpreter for 10th Oct provided by Auslan Stage Left

  • Digital Fringe
    See all events at this venue See detailed venue & access information
  • Arts House
    521 Queensberry St, North Melbourne, VIC, 3051

    Wheelchair Access

    Arts House is wheelchair accessible.

    Assistance Animals
    Guide dogs and assistance animals are welcome at Arts House.

    Assistive Listening
    We have assistive listening system available to help amplify or enhance the sound quality of an event. There is no additional charge for this service, simply ask staff for assistance on arrival.

    Meet & Assist
    If you require a meet and assist service please email or call Arts House and we can arrange this for you.
    Phone (03) 9322 3720; text 0447 570 178; or email artshouse@melbourne.vic.gov.au.

    Verbal Map & Access Information about Building
    We have created a Verbal map to assist blind and low vision navigation throughout the building. You can also download Arts House Building Document which contains detailed information on amenities, access, navigation, parking and drop-off.
    https://www.artshouse.com.au/visit-arts-house/#getting-to-arts-house

    Quiet Space
    Arts House has a dedicated Quiet Space located on Ground Level near reception and opposite the accessible bathroom. It is suitable as a chill out space, prayer or parenting space and features a range of seating options, dimmable lights, sensory and stimming objects. Anyone is welcome to access the Quiet Space during venue operating hours and events.

    Getting to Arts House - Tram
    Route 57 (high floor trams only) Stop 12, North Melbourne Town Hall.
    Please note, this is not a wheelchair accessible tram

    Walk
    Arts House is 2.5km from Flinders Street Station, approximately 35 minute walk and 850m from Queen Victoria Markets, approximately 11 minute walk

    Train
    Arts House is 1.1km from North Melbourne Train Station, approximately 16 minute walk or 1.2km from Flagstaff Station, approximately 15 minute walk

    Car
    There is limited paid on-street parking on Queensberry and Errol Streets. There are two accessible on-street car parking spaces on Queensberry Street (150m to our accessible Errol Street entrance) for holders of a Parking Permit for people with Disabilities.

    Get directions See all events at this venue See detailed venue & access information

  • Full - In Person: $35.00

  • Full - Digital: $10.00

  • Concession: $20.00

  • Reduced: $20.00

  • Blak Tix - In Person: $10.00

  • Blak Tix - Digital: $10.00

Sponsors

Sessions: In Person Events

A single $5.50 transaction fee applies to your booking.

Date Time Venue

Wednesday, 09 October 2024

7:30pm

Arts House

Sold Out
 Past Event

Thursday, 10 October 2024

7:30pm

Arts House

Sold Out
 Past Event

Friday, 11 October 2024

7:30pm

Arts House

 Past Event

Saturday, 12 October 2024

7:30pm

Arts House

Sold Out
 Past Event

Sunday, 13 October 2024

2:00pm

Arts House

Sold Out
 Past Event

Sessions: Digital Events

A single $5.50 transaction fee applies to your booking.

Date Time Venue

Monday, 14 October 2024 -
Sunday, 20 October 2024

On Demand

Digital Fringe

 Get Tickets

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