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Melbourne Fringe presents
The Winner Takes It All by The Huxleys
A grand slam queer takeover of the sporting world – part art happening, part grand final, part disco!
Ever felt side-lined by sport? In the interactive art event The Winner Takes It All, playful and provocative cultural deviants The Huxleys invite ordinary citizens from the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies to enter a domain that they may have long dreamed of, but never been comfortable participating in.
Dressed head to toe in high-camp regalia, anyone who’s ever felt excluded from sport – whether because of gender, sexuality, culture, background or disability – will get to live out epic sport fantasies, captured in a series of joyous and surreal photographs. Plus you’ll get to take home your very own limited edition print!
Game on, gorgeous!
A message from The Huxleys:
“Growing up in a sports-crazed nation is often a challenge for those of us at odds with athleticism, coordination or even motion. The Winner Takes It All is an interactive art event that allows anyone to be a sporting star, a wild spectator or anything in between. In a country where sport constantly overshadows art, this is a way to put the art into the sport!
With a special focus on the LGBTIQA+ community, we invite you to be part of a large-scale photographic series exploring the many ways we struggle and succeed to perform ‘sport’. Part performance, part art happening, this will be a unique community event for anyone who loathes or loves the ‘art’ of sport.”
This project is supported by the City of Stonnington, Creative Victoria and the Broadtree Foundation. This project received Cash to Create through the Fringe Fund, with thanks to Monica Lim and Konfir Kabo.
Need to know more? Read our FAQs
This collaborative art project invites members of our beloved creative community in Melbourne to join us in a large-scale photographic and participatory art happening, with a special focus on members of the LGBTIQA+ community.
Participants will get to participate in a photo shoot where they will be ‘performing’ in a sports scene with a large group of like-minded humans. They can inhabit any role within the sporting world that they most connect with. Over eager spectator, sporting star, sporting failure, umpire, mascot, orange slice attendant.
You will be directed in the photos on the day, and there will be performances and DJs throughout to keep the mood high!
The shoots will take place over two days during the first two weekends of the 2024 Melbourne Fringe Festival, on Sunday 6 and Saturday 12 October.
Morning shoot: 10am-12pm
Afternoon shoot: 2-4pm
The Winner Takes It All will be held in City of Stonnington suburbs Malvern and Prahan in Melbourne’s inner south east.
Sunday 6 October:
10am-12pm – Malvern Cricket Ground
2-4pm – Malvern Cricket Ground
Saturday 12 October:
10am-12pm – Princes Gardens Tennis Courts
2-4pm– Prahran Aquatic Centre
Each location will have a muster point, so make sure you register to get all of the information about where to go and what to expect!
Register here
The Winner Takes It All calls on all LGBTQIA+ legends and their pals, loved ones, allies and enthusiasts to come together for this one-of-a-kind artwork. Anyone 15 years and over, of all levels of skills and ability, can take part.
Please note: if you are over 15 but under 18 by the time of the events, you will need to nominate a responsible adult over the age of 25 to accompany you. You will also need a parent or guardian to consent to your image being used in the photos and video captured.
We want to make this event accessible for everyone. Please let us know if you have any access requirements when you register, or you can discuss with a member of the team by emailing events@melbournefringe.com.au or calling 03 9660 9600.
The Winner Takes It All is not just a photo shoot – you’ll be joining in on a community celebration featuring captivating half-time performances, DJ sets to keep the energy high and more surprises throughout the day!
You will also receive your very own limited editioned print of the final image you were part of for you to frame and cherish.
But most importantly you will make connections, laugh, and be part of an uplifting community event that uses fabulous art to bring people together.
The Winner Takes It All is a FREE event, however spots are limited so make sure you and your friends get in quick to secure your spot by registering now.
We’ll take a look at everyone’s registrations and assign everyone to the different sessions according to their preferences. Melbourne Fringe will then be in touch within seven days to confirm which shoot/s we’d love you to be a part of.
There are no winners and losers in this magical world we are creating. Take your inspiration from your sporting heroes, favourite glamazons or The Huxleys themselves. You can make your own costumes, or come in as much or as little regalia as you wish.
We will have some costumes and recycled sporting gear for you to borrow and wear in the shoots, however there will be limited supply so please wear something you’re happy to be photographed in.
Looking for some inspiration?
We have a wonderful guide from The Huxleys to give you plenty of ideas.
We have a workshop planned for participants on the 28th of September, so if you’d like to come along, make sure you tick the box when you register!
If you have an excess of sports gear you’d like to donate to the photoshoots, you can let us know by filling in a short form here!
We are running a workshop on the 28th of September where you’ll be able to bring along a piece of clothing or costume and embellish it. You can express your interest in attending these workshops when you register to be a part of the project.
Want your old tennis racket to become a part of iconic art?
Donate your old sports gear and help bring The Winner Takes It All to life! It can be worn in and well-loved, we’ll take it all!
Some specific items we’re looking for are:
- Tennis gear: including rackets and balls, caps, and shirts, skirts and shorts
- AFL gear: including AFL balls, team scarfs, jerseys and vests, beanies, hats and shorts
- Cricket gear: including bats, balls, pads, hats, pants and shirts
Fill out the form here and we’ll confirm when you can drop it off to the Melbourne Fringe Festival Hub at Trades Hall in Carlton. If you have any questions about whether your items are suitable, give us a call on 03 9660 9600 or send an email to events@melbournefringe.com.au
There is a space to let us know your needs in the form when you register, and we will get in touch if we have any questions. If you would like to talk to someone before you register, you can send us an email at events@melbournefringe.com.au or give us a call on 03 9660 9600.
If you have registered but are no longer able to participate, we would love to know! Please send us an email at events@melbournefringe.com.au or give us a call on 03 9660 9600.
