By Gemma Grant and Anthony Segaert
Melbourne’s Now or Never festival kicks off on Thursday for its third year. Described (somewhat ambiguously) as a “festival of new dimensions”, it’s set to bring a range of art displays and performances to the city.
One such endeavour is a giant pink inflatable installation which will occupy part of the interior of the heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton until Sunday.
For any past and present University of Melbourne students visiting – more accustomed to the venue as an exam hall – surely, a massive colourful balloon is a more welcoming sight. A lot less stressful than a biology test, we’re sure.
The MATRIA installation at the Royal Exhibition Building.Credit: Justin McManus
The Barcelona-based artist, Sergi Arbusa, was delighted to be bringing the MATRIA exhibit to hallowed halls of the building.
“Our practice is making inflatables in relation to architecture,” he said. “The space ends up becoming the art object – we present an experience that people can make their own.”
The artist cited Christo and Jeanne-Claude as his main sources of inspiration. While we’re not sure that Carlton Gardens compares with the Champs-Élysées, we’re happy to be in the conversation.
Sergi Arbusa, artist and founder of Penique Productions, with the MATRIA installation. Credit: Justin McManus
Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, speaking at the launch on Wednesday, was especially excited about the event. “I’ve seen a lot of art in my time,” he explained of the inflatable. “And I have never seen anything like this.”
Reece said that the event was the perfect way to bring the city alive in winter. “It may be frosty in the mornings. But our hearts and souls are burning bright,” he said. The man loves an adage – what can we say?
He also described the installation as like being inside your mother’s womb. And like a “giant pink membrane”. And a “totally immersive experience … that envelops the audience”.
CBD was actually thinking that it reminded us more of a Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach situation. But, each to their own. Choose your own adventure!
Bourchier moves on from the ABC
Now to some news about the popular television journalist Dan Bourchier. The Indigenous reporter, who led the ABC’s coverage of the Voice to parliament, is leaving the broadcaster to head to NITV as its general manager.
News of Bourchier’s departure from the ABC only hit media trade publications on Tuesday. Then NITV rolled out a press release on Wednesday morning. Talk about a quick turnaround.
After nine years at the national broadcaster, including several leading its internal First Nations Committee, Bourchier said he was “particularly proud of the work I’ve helped to drive to increase Indigenous representation internally”.
His departure comes less than a year after a review of the ABC found overwhelming evidence of racism at the public broadcaster.
But, posting on Instagram, Bourchier says he’s “optimistic about the future of the ABC I say goodbye to, and the tremendous leadership across the organisation”.
Thank goodness someone is feeling good about the state of our national broadcaster. Perhaps all the current ABC staff are too busy reading their new social media handbooks? There seems to be a lot to unpack there.
Name redacted
On Tuesday evening, the inboxes of journalists and politicians pinged with the arrival of an email from the Australian Christian Lobby.
But what initially came across as a typical press release from the group, spruiking its latest campaign – a petition calling on Premier Jacinta Allan and fellow Labor MPs to review the Respectful Relationships and sex education programs in schools – was followed by another message soon after.
“Dear all,” ACL Victorian director Jasmine Yuen wrote in the second email. “Please withhold publishing the names of the signatories for privacy and safety reasons … thank you very much.”
This pricked the ears of CBD. In the business of news, a rushed correction intrigues. As it turned out, an attached document included the full names and postcodes of close to 2000 concerned parents.
We reached out to Yuen, who said that she initially saw no issue with hitting send with the names and postcodes included. However, someone else thought otherwise, suggesting to her it was probably best not to disclose all those details.
Perhaps with data breaches flying around left right and centre these days, some information is best kept close to the chest?
Yuen declined to say who exactly got in touch with this advice – perhaps a parent, colleague or a politician? She said they sent her a note before the letter was published publicly online.
“That was my bad,” Yuen said of the whole situation. “But you’re still welcome to publish the updated letter.”
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.