UNSW in a new light

UNSW and the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) combined their considerable talents to transform the University campus this week in a special joint performance to mark major milestones.

NIDA, celebrating 50 years, and UNSW, which marks 60 years this year, collaborated for the first time to produce Lots In Space, a performance experience that transformed the Kensington campus into a 1.7km-long stage of sound, light and street theatre on Monday, July 20 and Tuesday, July 21.

The landmark Scientia building was transformed into a towering waterfall, while other parts of UNSW became grimy urban back alleys, serene ponds and treacherous avalanches under lighting effects conducted by the team that produced Brian Eno's artwork illumination of the Sydney Opera House for the recent Luminous festival.

Lots In Space was the debut production of NIDA's inaugural Artist-in-Residence, Peter King.

Mr King worked with students from NIDA and UNSW's School of English, Media and Performing Arts as well as interior architecture, landscape architecture and industrial design students from UNSW's Faculty of the Built Environment to create 14 different performance locations at NIDA and UNSW.

Built around a central theme of "the fall", inspiration for the performances and video installations was taken from sources as diverse as the paintings of Australian artist John Brack and 17th century English theatre.

Mr King said the production was not taken from a text but rather grew "out of critical response to the built environment".

UNSW interior architecture lecturer Bill MacMahon said the 1.7km route linking the performances was a key aspect of Lots In Space.

"Just like a city or any urban environment, it's the act of walking that allows you to form relationships between things," he said.

For more photos from Lots In Space see the slide show here

Media Contact: Peter Trute | 02 9385 1933 | p.trute@unsw.edu.au