In February, I travelled to Adelaide to create & install a site specific mobile at the newly revitalised Fringe Hub, Electra House.

In conjunction with this event I directed a special project as part of the Jam Factory, Glass Workshop, Associates program. The team of seven worked industriously in the 5 day workshop to create more than 100 Venetian style chandelier components for the project. I was also accompanied on the project by Amanda Dziedzic who initiated a mentor/mentee relationship as part of JUMP the National Mentoring Program for Young & Emerging Artists.

The installation affectionately named Florence is a kinetic mobile spanning an estimatd 7 metre diameter and suspended approximately 6 metres high. The conceptual essence of the work is one of a model representing the dynamism of a sustainable community; the matrix of the stainless steel brings individual components together to form a whole. Similarly to the experience of making, the participants worked closely as a team, embracing the project holistically, knowing & understanding that the bigger picture would not be complete without their humble & vital contributions.

The venue, Electra House is a majestic 3-storey historic building located at 131 King Willliams St, central Adelaide and has been recently transformed from a derelict squatters outpost into a dynamic Fringe hub by the infamous Tuxedo Cat.

The venue posed a perfect environment for Florence making direct reference to Victorian history and the height of the renaissance when chandelier’s were an indication of wealth and opulence, but now, in our contemporary perception of prosperity we are lucky this building continues to exist, hours of dirty labour have transformed the graffiti walled venue to it’s new glory… a fringe hub created by the community for the community.

The venue was opened alongside Florence on the 18th February by the Right Honarable Lord Mayor Stephen Yarwood. The venue hosts four performance spaces, a spectacular ballroom with bar & a beer garden with a very special caravan & olive tree.

A very heart felt thanks to; Tuxedo Cat, Jam Factory, Jam Factory glass workshop studio management team, Joshua Rowell, Amanda Dziedzic, Jess Fisher, Christian Hall, Jaan & Danny and of course the associates; Kristel Britcher, Andrea Fiebig, Madeline Prowd, Emma De Brabent, Andrew Ferguson, Emma Klau & Katherine Plunkard who without them this project would not have been possible.