Vic McEwan
Tipping Point
Overview
Tipping Point takes as its starting point the border land, the divide between two catchment areas, the Murray and the Murrumbidgee. In between these two rivers lies a subtle, sometimes invisible line. When rain falls on one side it flows into the Murray River, when rain falls on the other it falls into the Murrumbidgee. A few centimetres or a slight gust of wind could change the fate of the water’s journey and the impact on the lives in those in these catchment areas.
Tipping Point looks at these locations as actual, literal tipping points. It also explores the
psychological, environmental and social tipping points of people living within these catchment
areas.
By working with diverse cross sections of the community ranging from those involved in
industrialised agricultural practices to those exploring newer sustainable models, we plan to
explore the different viewpoints that exist within the regions whilst sharing stories of people’s
special relationships with these waterways.
Outcome
This project resulted in a large scale site specific installation which brings to life an old 5 storey tall ruins fo an old brewery. The creation of this work commenced in January 2013 with a local public outcome in April 2013. We will then transport this artwork to Canberra in August 2013 to install it as part of the One River project of the Canberra 100 Year Centenary Celebrations.
One River
In 2013, we mark 100 years since the naming of Canberra, our national capital. The Centenary of Canberra offers an opportunity for Australians to revisit and re-imagine their national capital. One River offers the opportunity to investigate the phrase My River ‐ Our River – One River.
One River is informed by the notion that the rivers of the Murray-Darling Basin are a part of our common wealth and that no parts of this vast terrain ‐ including the national capital ‐ are as remote as we might imagine. One River will connect the national capital with communities, towns and waterways throughout the Murray-Darling Basin.
Read our ongoing project blog here
The Location
The local outcome in April 2013 coincided with the SesquiCentenary (150 years) celebrations of Narrandera.
On April 20th, everyone was invited to gather at Brewery Flats to watch the much loved icon, the old brewery ruins, come to life with video projections, sound, installations and celebrations all created form the gathering of stories about peoples connections to the river system.
The brewery ruins are over 25m tall and sit on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River. Having had their own interesting relationship with the River, the brewery has withstood numerous floods.
Given that the brewery is such an important historical landmark in the area we are hoping that our project will contribute to the future telling of stories about Narrandera and that the final artwork will become a part of Narrandera’s lived history; living on in the minds of local people who might later share their experience with others.
Listen to a Radio National interview with Robyn Archer, Donna Jackson and Vic McEwan here
