How We Rise

How We Rise uses waves as a poetic allegory to explore ideas of consent and control in personal and political contexts. Through community engagement and researching the coastal ecologies of Merricks Beach, How We Rise is a response to place.

Premiering in a single performance on Friday 21 April with an original score composed and performed by Grace Ferguson, dancers will echo the energy of waves as they bend and flow, crash and break, forming and reforming patterns and cadences. This work considers ideas of relationality, multiple histories, place-specificity and the body as a site of resistance and renewal.

Featuring three events over three days - beginning with the premiere of How We Rise.

This project would not have been possible without the support of the Mornington Peninsula Shire and the Drift Arts Festival.
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MEDIA RELEASE
INTERVIEW RPP FM

Artist Statement

In development for this project Zoë Bastin and her collaborators were accommodated at Merricks Beach for five days in an intensive week of learning, listening, reflection, dialogue and rehearsals.

An essential part of this process involved Zoë and the ensemble deepening their sense of place by spending time at Merricks Beach, having conversations with passers by and and meeting with local knowledge holders: Lionel Lauch (Gunditjmara Kirrae Wurrung-Bundjalung) from Living Culture; ecologist and artist Gidja Walker; artist and Sybil Disobedient Hannah Lewis, and the Peninsula Surf Sisters.

Project Development

In development for this project Zoë Bastin and her collaborators were accommodated at Merricks Beach for five days in an intensive week of learning, listening, reflection, dialogue and rehearsals.

Thank you to our sponsors

Gallery

Image credit: Noa Smith-Fletcher. Dancers in the water at Merricks Beach. — Image credit: Noa Smith-Fletcher. *How we Rise* in development at Merricks Beach

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Image credit: Noa Smith Fletcher. Dancers performing contemporary dance in a dark moody room. — Rehearsal *How we Rise*. Image credit: Noa Smith Fletcher

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Rehearsals *How we Rise*. Image credit: Noa Smith Fletcher

Image credit: Noa Smith Fletcher. Dancers standing and clapping in a dark moody room. — Image credit: Noa Smith Fletcher.

Image credit: Noa Smith Fletcher. A person sitting at a computer — Composer Grace Ferguson during rehearsal. Image credit: Noa Smith Fletcher

Image credit: Penelope Gebhardt. Gidja Walker with Zoë Bastin and dancers at the beach. — Learning about the complex ecologies of Western Port with local ecologist Gidja Walker OAM

Image credit: Penelope Gebhardt. A yarn with Lionel Lauch at the beach. — Cultural consultation with Lionel Lauch from Living Culture

Image credit: Penelope Gebhardt. Dancers performing contemporary dance. — Rehearsals in progress, *How we Rise*

Image credit: Penelope Gebhardt. Pictured from left: Hannah Lewis, Grace Ferguson, Zoe Bastin and Katie Paine. — Panel discussion facilitated by Katie Paine (far right). From left: Hannah Lewis (local artist & activist), Grace Ferguson (composer), Zoe Bastin (artist and choreographer)

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Spill Projects acknowledges the Bunurong/BoonWurrung peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we create. We honour their deep connection to this land and its stories, recognising that we work on unceded land. We are committed to listening, learning, and amplifying First Nations voices.