News

April 2024

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December 2023

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August 2023

July 2023

April 2023

March 2023

February 2023

 

December 2022

 

November 2022

 

September 2022
BigCi News: Cross – Discipline Collaborations – Collab Barn
Collab Barn is a stand-alone cottage, surrounded by trees, within the BigCi grounds – an inspirational place, situated on the edge of Wollemi National Park, part the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains. It is dedicated to artists who wish to work on projects that specifically involve collaboration.

Visual and installation artists, musicians, performance artists, dancers, filmmakers and other creatives working in a variety of different mediums are invited to apply. In addition to this, we encourage cross-discipline collaborations with scientists, academics, architects and other professionals who can contribute to your project.

Collab Barn can host all types of projects. It can be a new collaboration with someone you have always wanted to develop a project with, or a collaborative project you’ve been working on for a while and want to explore further.  

During your stay, you can choose to participate in other BigCi activities, like the Open Day exhibition, interaction with other artists-in-residence, guided wilderness bushwalks, and the local community/ Blue Mountains arts calendar events. Alternatively, you might wish to completely bunker down and focus on the project with your collaborators.

Collab Barn is a fully self-contained facility for collaborators and partners that fits 2 to 4 people and includes two bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, study and a large open lounge room/workspace with a fireplace.

The duration of your stay is flexible and will be based on your requirements and Collab Barn availability. Standard BigCi residency fees will apply.

If you are interested, please reach out to us as soon as possible. Our residency program is fully booked till the end of this year, but we are now accepting applications for 2023.

September 2022

August 2022

July 2022
‘Last verse’ Film Is Now Available Online
‘Last verse’ film by Louise Beer and John Hooper (UK), winners of BigCi Environmental Award 2020, is now available online.
During their BigCi residency, they have studied the environmental challenges that the local environment has faced, exploring the cosmic significance of the climate crisis. They have photographed and filmed the night sky, the flora and fauna, and landscapes. By presenting the area with a deep time perspective, the duo invites viewers to consider the incomprehensible value of the ecosystems of the fire and flood damaged areas of the national park.

 

 

 

To view ‘Last verse’ (10:45), click here.
Also available online, are: 
Louise and John talking about their new film (08:50), click here.
Their full presentation for the BigCi Open Day, ‘Astronomy and Environment’ (36:54), click here.
Please use the largest screen available for this cinematic experience.

We would love to know what you thought about this film. You can leave your comments on the Vimeo site or send them directly to us at rae@bigci.org

You could also read what Louise and John said about their recent BigCi residence experience here.

May 2022

 

April 2022

March 2022
Temples of Doom film by Ryan Andrew Lee is now available online.

Created for the BigCi Environmental Award, Temples of Doom engages with the issue of protecting the endangered pagoda rock formations and sacred First Nations rock art sites in the recently announced Gardens of Stone State Conservation Area of the Greater Blue Mountains.

Ryan Andrew Lee is an Australian cinematographer and conceptual new media artist who utilises experimental film-making processes including cinema vérité and slow cinema in order to restore and preserve ecological, historical and cultural knowledge and values.

Please use the largest screen available for this cinematic experience.

To watch the full film, 39:43, (recommended), click here.
To watch a short version, 5:53, click here.

We would love to know what you thought about this film. You can leave your comments on the Vimeo site or send them directly to us at rae@bigci.org

You could also read what Ryan said about his recent BigCi residence experience here.

March 2022

November 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18 July 2021
Live links:
Simply click here to join the live broadcast on Youtube (12-1.30pm):
https://youtu.be/s5c8T7ReVeA
Zoom room opens at 1pm, click here:
https://us05web.zoom.us/j/82005301506?pwd=T2pqVUljZENpeExsM2FNVStoZWFzZz09
Passcode: art

 

June 2021

May 2021

 

 

 

April 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 2021

 

 

 

 

 

December 2020

 

October 2020

8 March 2020
Sculptor Coster Mkoki (Zimbabwe), BigCi 2020 Invited Artist, did a special presentation of his new installation, The Orchard. He was joined by local orchardists who shared their experiences of the recent bushfires. In his installation Coster reflected on issues facing Bilpin fruit growers after the bushfire devastation. Unlike native trees that are able to recover, fruit trees are lost forever and need to be replanted. They will take 7-10 years to produce the first crop.

March 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 2019

September 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 2019
BigCi 10th Anniversary Awards 2019
Call for Submissions

This year is the 10th anniversary of BigCi  artist-in-residence program.
It is amazing how quickly time flies, how many residents were supported during that time, how many Open Days and other events were staged and how many organisations and private individuals we have worked with.
But, most importantly, how many artists have benefited from BigCi programs.

So, to celebrate this in true BigCi style, we are giving away 2 Awards:

BigCi10 Past Residents Award (4 weeks of BigCi residency) is only open to the past residents of BigCi. You do not need to fill in any forms – we know you! Simply send an email before 18 August 2019 to rae@bigci.org expressing your interest, and your name will go in the draw for this Award.
We wish to see you all here, but as it is not possible, we will draw the lucky name at the BigCi Open Day on 8 September 2019. To download Award Conditions, click here.

BigCi10 New Residents Award (4 weeks of BigCi residency) is open to any artist who has not done a BigCi residency before. This is a competitive entry based on criteria outlined in the Submission Form –
Click here to access the form. 
Submissions deadline is 18 August 2019. The winner will be announced on 8 September 2019 during BigCi Open Day.

There is no entry fee for these Awards.

Both Awards are open to Australian and International Artists from various fields – visual art, installation, multimedia, performance, literature, music, photography, film making, curating.

These Awards are just a beginning of BigCi10 celebration program.

April 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 2019

 

 

BigCi (Bilpin international ground for Creative initiatives) and Red Gate Gallery (Beijing) artist residency present an exchange program between China and Australia for one selected Chinese artist and one selected Australian artist.

The Australian artist will undertake a free 4-week residency at Red Gate, Beijing, China, from December 1 till December 29, 2019.
For the SUBMISSION FORM & GUIDELINES for Australian artists, click here

The Chinese artist will undertake a free 4-week residency at BigCi, Blue Mountains, Australia, from 5 June till 2 July, 2019.
For the SUBMISSION FORM & GUIDELINES for Chinese artists, click here

Submissions deadline is 7th OF APRIL, 2019. There is no entry fee.

Please spread the word!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 2019
BigCi Environmental Awards 2019 – Judges Announced
See the News post below for the Awards outline.

For the SUBMISSION FORM & GUIDELINES, see
BigCi Environmental Award 2019 Submission Form

 

The Awards will be judged by an independent panel of judges:

Kathleen von Witt
Kathleen von Witt has been Gallery and Museum Director for Hawkesbury City Council since 2005. In this role she has been the Treasurer of Regional and Public Galleries of NSW, and of the Art Craft, a Design Group for Museums Australia. She has been invited on a number of assessment panels for Create NSW, and MGNSW, and was a judge for the Portia Geech Art Prize, the Blacktown Art Prize and many others.
She has a deep and abiding love for nature and the natural world.
Ivan Juarez
Ivan Juarez is an artist and landscape architect. He is a founder of
 x-studio.tv and producer of projects that explore the natural and built environment world-wide. Ivan is the founder of ‘Sensory Landscapes’ lab that explores environment through sensory experiences. His work has been awarded by multiple international institutions, and he received numerous international grants. Ivan’s projects have been extensively published in international publications and exhibited at many international museums, galleries and cultural spaces.
Ivan is a co-winner of the BigCi Environmental Award 2018.
Joan Domicelj AM
Joan Domicelj AM has worked over the last thirty years on various aspects of ‘caring for country’ – identifying and balancing natural and cultural values, both nationally and internationally. 
She was principal consultant for the nominations for the UNESCO World Heritage listing of the Sydney Opera House in 1996, and the Greater Blue Mountains in 2000. Her Order of Australia (AM) was awarded in 1999 for successful cross-cultural mediation over major land management disputes.

The Award Winners will be announced on the 31 March 2019.

February 2019
Call for Submissions – BigCi Environmental Awards 2019
Australian and International Artists from various fields – visual art, installation, multimedia, performance, literature, music, photography, film making, curating – are invited to submit entries for the BigCi Environmental Awards 2019.
The two winning artists will each receive
(4) free weeks of BigCi residency and AUD$2,500 spending money. In addition to that, up to AUD$2,000 flight travel subsidy will be shared between the two winners.
The winners of the award will have an opportunity to explore the Wollemi, the Blue Mountains and the Gardens of Stone National Parks on guided walks and will be given research assistance relevant to their projects. At the end of their residencies, they will present their work at BigCi Open Day.
There is an entry fee of AUD$50 that must be paid at the time of sending the submission. Entry fees are not refundable. They will be used to support these Awards and other BigCi artist-in-residence programs.
Submissions deadline is 3rd of MARCH 2019.
For the SUBMISSION FORM & GUIDELINES, see
BigCi Environmental Award 2019 Submission Form

The entry fee can be paid here, or (preferred), at the time of filling up your submission form.

February 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…For more information and application forms, click here

August 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May 2018
Call for Submissions – BigCi Environmental Awards 2018
Australian and International Artists from various fields – visual art, installation, multimedia, performance, literature, music, photography, film making, curating – are invited to submit entries for the BigCi Environmental Awards 2018.
The two winning artists will each receive 4 free weeks of BigCi residency and AUD$2,000 spending money. In addition to that, up to AUD$2,000 flight travel subsidy will be shared between the two winners. Submissions deadline is 1st OF JUNE 2018. There is no entry fee.
For the SUBMISSION FORM & GUIDELINES, see
BigCi Environmental Award 2018 Submission Form
The Awards will be judged by an independent panel of judges:
Anthony Bond OAM is a freelance writer and curator until recently Director Curatorial at the Art Gallery of NSW, where he was responsible for collecting and displaying International contemporary art since 1984. He publishes in journals and catalogues here and overseas. Bond has curated two international Biennales, one in Sydney in 1992 one in UK in 1999. He has curated many monographic, theme and historical exhibitions, amongst them Anselm Kiefer Aperiatur terra 2006-2007 at White Cube London and at AGNSW; Mike Parr: The Tilted Stage in Hobart 2008; Francis Bacon: five decades 2012 at AGNSW; The Ghost who talks, an exhibition of Mike Parr’s recent performance videos shown at Venice 2015. His book, The idea of art, was published by New South Press Sydney in 2015. Currently he is working on a substantial book on Ken Unsworth and a future book on the return of the avant-garde after WWII, based on interviews conducted with professional colleagues known to him since the early 1960s.

Kath Fries is a Sydney-based artist, who has recently completed her doctorate at Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney. Her practice explores how our senses are entangled with our material and immaterial surroundings. Fries has received many awards, such as the 2017 North Sydney Art Prize Sculpture Award; 2014-2017 Australian Post-Graduate Scholarship Award; 2017 NSW Artists’ Grant. She has exhibited widely and participated in a number of residency programs in Australia and overseas. Fries has also worked widely in the visual arts: as an administrator, curator, arts writer, research assistant, studio manager, lecturer, judging panel member, and as a mentor to younger artists. She is the founder and chair of the John Fries Award; director of the Gunyah artists-in-residence program; studio manager at Lindy Lee Studio; and a sessional lecturer at the University of Sydney.

Lorraine Bower was Head of Design at a private college in 1997, then in 2002-2005 Dean of the College, responsible for seven departments. She worked in the university system at UTS, Insearch, UNSW and UWS as a tutor and lecturer in design theory from 2006 until 2014. She was Secretary and then Co-ordinator of the Australian Forests and Climate Alliance in 2011- 2016; a member of the executive, Nature Conservation Council of NSW, 2013. From 2016 to the present Lorraine has co-ordinated the Threatened Species Children’s Art Competition, an annual event for children 5-12 years which encourages them to develop their artistic skills while learning about our threatened species. The competition attracts entries from all over the NSW and the ACT.

April 2018

 

 

 

 

 

We are pleased to announce the Winners of the inaugural BigCi (Bilpin international ground for Creative initiatives) and Red Gate Gallery (Beijing) artist residency exchange program.

Kailum Graves will undertake a free 4-week residency at Red Gate, Beijing, China, from December 1 till December 30, 2018.

 

 

Yiy Zhang will undertake a free 4-week residency at BigCi, Blue Mountains, Australia, from 18 July till 14 August, 2018.

 

 

 

 

 

We thank all artists who took part in this compeition.

April 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 2018

 

 

BigCi (Bilpin international ground for Creative initiatives) and Red Gate Gallery (Beijing) artist residency present a new exchange program between China and Australia for one selected Chinese artist and one selected Australian artist.

The Australian artist will undertake a free 4-week residency at Red Gate, Beijing, China, from December 1 till December 30, 2018.

For the SUBMISSION FORM & GUIDELINES, click here

The Chinese artist will undertake a free 4-week residency at BigCi, Blue Mountains, Australia, from 18 July till 14 August, 2018.

For the SUBMISSION FORM & GUIDELINES, click here
Submissions deadline is 15th OF APRIL, 2018. There is no entry fee.

Please spread the word!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April 2017

April 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 2017
BigCi Environmental Awards 2017 Announced
Australian and International Artists from various fields – visual art, installation, multimedia, performance, literature, music, photography, film making, curating – are invited to submit entries for the BigCi Environmental Awards 2017.
The two winning artists will each receive 4 free weeks of BigCi residency and AUD$2,000 spending money. In addition to that, up to AUD$2,000 ARTFLIGHT travel subsidy will be shared between the two winners. Submissions deadline is 1st OF APRIL 2017. There is no entry fee.
For the SUBMISSION FORM & GUIDELINES, see
BigCi Environmental Award 2016 Submission Form

January 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 2016
Join us at the Exhibition Opening at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, Katoomba, on 29 July 2016, 6pm-8pm. To be opened by Rae Bolotin, Artistic Director, BigCi.

July 2016

May 2016

April 2016

March 2016
BigCi Environmental Awards 2016 Announced
Australian and International Artists from various fields – visual art, installation, multimedia, performance, literature, music, photography, film making, curating – are invited to submit entries for the BigCi Environmental Awards 2016.
The two winning artists will each receive 4 free weeks of BigCi residency and AUD$2,000 spending money. In addition to that, up to AUD$2,000 ARTFLIGHT travel subsidy will be shared between the two winners. Submissions deadline is 11th OF APRIL 2016. There is no entry fee.
For the SUBMISSION FORM & GUIDELINES, see
BigCi Environmental Award 2016 Submission Form

Environmental Award Judges Announced

Eva Rodriguez Riestra is a public art curator with a background in architecture, urban design and photography, and an ongoing involvement in academic research and education. For the last ten years Eva has been Public Art Program Manager at the City of Sydney, contributing to the cultural transformation of the city through commissioning temporary and permanent public art works and managing the significant collection. She is interested in community-focused, collaborative and participatory approaches to design; in understanding the relationships between people and place; in environmental sustainability and connection to nature; and in socially responsible and experimental art and architecture and their expanded fields of practice.
Alan Schacher is a performance creator based in the Blue Mountains. Alan has performed in Australia, Japan, Russia, France, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia and India. His interdisciplinary practice incorporates dance, live art/performance art, and installation. Whether he works as director, choreographer, designer, performer or visual artist, his art is focussed on spatial experience and the implication of the body in diverse situations. Alan believes that successful art that excavates, engages with and highlights ethical, ecological and socially and culturally committed platforms is essential to maintaining the status of art as an agent of change in the contemporary milieu.
Peter Hannam is the environment editor at the Sydney Morning Herald, and his work on climate change and other environment issues is republished across the Fairfax Media network. Peter has also worked as a journalist in Mongolia, China, Singapore and Japan. He has grown ever fonder of the Blue Mountains but saves a special spot for his family’s bush property near Mansfield in north-eastern Victoria.

March 2016

February 2016

February 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 2015

 

July 2015

 

 

June 2015

 

 

 

 

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: World Heritage Artist in Residence Program

In recognition of the significance and outstanding beauty of the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre launches the World Heritage Artist in Residence Program in June 2015. The World Heritage Artist in Residence Program consists of a 6-week artist residency at BigCi sponsored by the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre, to create a new body of work in response to the World Heritage Area followed by an exhibition at the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery.

WHO CAN APPLY
The World Heritage Residency program is designed for Australian and international artists, working in painting, drawing, installation, sculpture, video, ephemeral art, etc. It is not designed for performance, theatre, music or literature as the final outcome is an exhibition at the Blue Mountains City Art Gallery.

KEY DATES
Call for Submissions: Mon, 1 June – Friday, 24 July 2015
Successful artists to be announced: Monday 17 August
Residency Dates (not flexible): 17 February – 29 March 2016
Exhibition Dates: 30 July – 11 September 2016

For more information and the APPLICATION FORM & GUIDELINES visit
http://bluemountainsculturalcentre.com.au/blue-mountains-art-gallery/world-heritage-artist-in-residence/

May-June 2015

March 2015
BigCi Environmental Award 2015 Winners Announced

We are thrilled to announce the winners of BigCi Environmental Award 2015.

This year BigCi received a record number of submissions from different parts of Australia and from around the world: UK, Turkey, New Zealand, Poland, USA, Finland, India, Mongolia, Norway, Canada, Singapore, Mauritius, Indonesia, Germany, Uganda, Lithuania, Italy.

And the winners are:
Stuart Frost, Norway; Isabelle Hayeur, Canada;  Sonja Hinrichsen, USA.
The winner of the new Directors Choice Award 2015 is Vanessa Macedo, Australia.

Here is what the judges had to say about the winners:
The submissions came from a wide range of disciplines: painting, sculpture, photography, installation art, performance art, video/film making, multi-media art, sound art, edible art, wearable art, dance, writing/poetry, textile design, curatorial.

All award winners will take part in 3-week artist residency programs at BigCi. Their work will be showcased in a number of Open Day events throughout the year. Watch this space!!

Many thanks to our independent panel of judges for performing the hard task of choosing the winners. The judges were:
Greg Johns, sculptor with strong interest in the environment;
Jenny Pollak, multi-media artist, photographer and poet;
Lindie Ward, freelance curator, previously at the Powerhouse Museum; designer.

January 2015
BigCi Environmental Awards 2015 Announced

Australian and International Artists are invited to submit entries for the BigCi Environmental Awards 2015.
Thanks to private sponsorship, we are offering this year:
3 awards, each consisting of a free 3-week BigCi artist residency.
Submissions deadline is 10th of March 2015.
More information and the Application Form – here BigCi Environmental Award 2015

January 2015

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 2014 Newsletter

 

November 2014

September 2014

A big crowd had gathered at BigCi on Sunday, 21 September, to take part in the Environmental Day activities.
Bob Carr, former Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, NSW Premier and a best-selling author, was the invited speaker of the day. Bob Carr is also a keen bushwalker and particularly loves the nature around the Greater Blue Mountains. Bob started his 20 minute address by launching ‘The Complete Wollemi North-South Traverse’ book written by explorers Yuri Bolotin (BigCi Development Director) and Michael Keats. He also spoke of the importance of nature conservation and of protecting the amazing wilderness areas we have around us within the Greater Blue Mountains. Bilpin, where BigCi is situated, is ideally positioned between two great national parks – Wollemi National Park and Blue Mountains National Park.
Bob Carr’s presentation was followed by talks by Michael Keats about Wollemi National Park, and Yuri Bolotin about their first ever complete traverse of the Wollemi Wilderness, now depicted in a new book.
The second part of the day had presentations by BigCi 2014 Environmental Award winners, the artists Han Qing (China) and Andy Webster (UK). Han Qing, who had just spent four weeks at BigCi creating a new body of work (which was exhibited during the day), made many interesting comments about the environmental issues in the area from a Chinese artist’s perspective.
The BigCi Environmental Day was a big success and was thoroughly enjoyed by everybody who came.

Photos: Jamie Andrei.

September 2014

July 2014

 

 

 

 

My Cities, Your Identities
International video-art and photography festival
July 18-24, 2014

International ArtExpo, in collaboration with BigCi, is proud to announce the opening of My Cities, Your Identities, international art festival of photography and video art, which will be held at BigCi – Bilpin international ground for Creative initiatives artist residency on the edge of Wollemi National Park, Australia, from the 18th to the 24th of July 2014. The opening party of the event will be on July 19, 2014 at BigCi, starting from 2 PM to 4 PM (free entry).

organizer: International ArtExpo
curator: Luca Curci

venue: BigCi – Bilpin international ground for Creative initiatives, Bilpin, NSW, Australia.
opening: July 18, 2014 from 11.00 AM; opening party Saturday, July 19, 2014 from 2 PM to 4 PM.
RSVP for address to sculptor@raebolotin.com
dates: from the 18 to the 24 of July 2014; from 11 AM to 4 PM, free entry

The following artists were selected to exhibit at BigCi:

.video art
Gabriella Parisi . Italy | Mario F. Londoño Muñoz . Argentina | Nia Maria Moilanen & Chad Cogdill . Finland | Gregory Steel . USA | Lucia Flego . Italy | Debbie Davies . USA | Laurence Gartel . USA | Peter Trukenbrod & Barbara Ekström . Sweden | Pilar G. Calero . Spain | Christine Istad . Norway | Fred L’Epee . Switzerland | Candaş Şişman . Turkey | Kate MacDonald . Canada | Toni Simò . Spain | Shaun Wilson . Australia | Susan Yeung & Russell Morton . Singapore| Maggie Van der Toorn. Italy

.photography
Tatjana Leuzzi . Germany | Tobias D. Oggenfuss . USA | Malgorzata Basinska . Norway | Ivana Russo . Italy

Among all the selected artists for the exhibition, the winner of an art residency stay in BigCihas been selected, from the 14th to the 27th of July 2014: Shaun Wilson. Congratulations!

My Cities, Your Identities explores the parallel relationship between cities’ transformations and identities’ evolution: modern metropolis are often the result of the compound of different cities and cultures, as it is for contemporary identities. During this borderless time we have the possibility to live and experience a constant hybridization among cities, bodies, societies, cultures and new technologies, which shapes and regenerates our individualities. Our whole being evolves as well as contemporary cultures and modern cities do.

The exhibition is curated by Arch. Luca Curci (Founder of LUCA CURCI ARCHITECTS and It’s LIQUID Group).

International ArtExpo is an art organization that provides a significant forum for cultural dialogue between all artists from different cultures and countries. ArtExpo is grateful to all of the institutions, corporations, and individuals who support our artistic projects. We work with a number of national and international galleries as well as publishers, museums, curators and critics from all over the world. We help artists through solo and group exhibitions, gallery representation, magazine reviews and advertisements, press releases, internet promotion, as well as various curatorial projects.

June 2014

May 2014
A ‘General Map of Caves’ Drawing Exhibition is on at the Hawkesbury Regional Gallery

In preparation for this exhibition, curated by Tia McIntyre, the artists Locust Jones, Talitha Kennedy, Catherine O’Donnell and Kelly O’Dempsey did a group residency at BigCi in February this year – working, talking, walking and visiting some caves in the Wollemi.
The unique ‘whiteboard’ walls of the Art Shed became a giant canvas for the artists to draw on, using non-permanent ink pens. On the last night of the residency, they were joined by the dancer Tanya Voges, who did a series of amazing short performances inspired by each of the artist’s works. Matt Creswell’s film of the performance is part of the exhibition. The performance will be re-staged at the gallery – details to be advised.
Check out a few more of the short videos we took during the stunning performance by Tanya Voges, with projections by Kelly O’Dempsey:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orSbk8qmKJk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0B0wNT_NHY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-0uQkWqWHo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBekCutpDLA

March 2014
BigCi Environmental Award 2014 Winners Announced
BigCi received submissions that came from Australia and around the world: Indonesia, China, Sweden, Finland, Thailand, UK, Mauritius, Germany, USA. Due to the extremely high quality of the submissions, we have decided to give not one but two Awards this year. The independent panel of judges consisting of Tia McIntyre, Curator, Hawkesbury Regional Gallery and Michael Keats, Author and Explorer selected the following Winners: Andy Webster from the UK and Han Qing from China. Both artists are coming to BigCi later this year to undertake their residencies. Here is what the judges had to say about the Winners:

“Andy Webster’s works combine playful expression with well-researched scientific data. He is able to transform ideas through art, communicating strong messages and complex concepts in a simple way. His work is multi-layered, engaging and has an immediacy about it. We are hoping his stay in the Blue Mountains will result in a work of art that can immediately engage with the audience, whilst at the same time having strong environmental messages in it.”

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“Han Qing’s work has a very strong research foundation. With his work, he wants to connect to the core of the tension between the minerals extracting industry in Australia and the manufacturing industry in China, and then in turn to their effect on the people in both countries. We are very interested to see what metaphors he will use to communicate these messages and what effect will the national park environment around BigCi have on his eventual body of work.”

January 2014
BigCi Environmental Award 2014 Announced
We are delighted to announce the inaugural BigCi Environmental Award 2014 – 2 weeks of residency at BigCi – available to Australian and international artists from various creative fields. The submissions deadline is 3 March 2014. For more details and the application form, click here BigCi Environmental Award

December 2013
New Workshop Announced
On 7-9 March 2014, a new exciting workshop will take place at BigCi that combines Drawing and Yoga. For details, see here… 

November 2013 Newsletter

 

November 2013
Upcycling Techniques – Zero Waste Art Workshop
This workshop was conducted at the BigCi Art Shed by New Zealand artist in residence Anna Borrie. She taught the participants how to turn plastic food wrappers into beautiful art objects, as well as other upcycling techniques.

August 2013
Sincerely yours, is performed at BigCi Art Shed
The sincerely yours, Love Letters performance was presented at the BigCi Art Shed on 18 August by AñA Wojak, the recipient of Very Terry Reid Award, and Eve Klein, Blue Mountains based mezzo soprano and composer. This first performance at the Art Shed (still under construction at that time) attracted a big crowd of people of all ages, from nearby and far away.
See the amazing images here… from the performance.

August 2013
Announcing the winners – The Very Terry Reid Award

– Anna Borrie (New Zealand)
– AñA Wojak (Australia)
The Very Terry Reid Award was made possible due to generosity and vision of the artist Terry Reid.
The Very Terry Reid Award  was also made possible due to generous support of Hadley Green Company.

February 2013 Newsletter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 2013
BigCi Korean Musicians Group Captures the Hearts of Sydney Audiences
A group of traditional Korean performance artists, Yessen, (click to see more), performed for a wide variety of audiences while on their BigCi residency.

This included a concert for the children at Bilpin Primary School, two collaborative and improvisational evenings at Sound Bites Lounge in Katoomba, an RBM 89.1 radio interview and presentation, a Red Cross party for 400, performances in Korean temples and churches, a Korean Society event, a gig at Sydney’s Now Now festival of contemporary music, a collaborative concert with Australian jazz musicians at the Hibernian House in Sydney, and even a performance during a concrete pour of the slab of the future BigCi pavilion.

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November 2012
BigCi Artistic Director Presents at Res Artis International Conference in Tokyo, Japan

In November 2012, Rae and Yuri Bolotin attended Res Artis conference in Tokyo, Japan. The conference lasted almost a week and attracted visitors representing artist residencies programs from around the world.  It was a most inspirational event. The speakers shared their views, ideas and vision about the ways residencies should be structured and run in order to support the latest in contemporary art practice.

Rae Bolotin, BigCi Artistic Director, did a talk at micro-residency session of the conference at Youkobo Art Space. She presented BigCi, what we have done so far and what we are planning to do in the future. She was humbled and excited by the enthusiastic feedback from the audience and is now even more inspired to make BigCi an amazing place for the artists to come to.

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September 2012
Yuri Completes Full Wollemi National Park Traverse

Over 18 days in September 2012, Yuri Bolotin, one of BigCi Principals, together with two other fellow bushwalkers, has completed the first in history Wollemi Full North to South Traverse.  The Traverse took the group through the heart of Wollemi Wilderness, the largest declared wilderness area in Australia.  It is a harsh and unforgiving environment consisting of wild gorges, thick scrub, high cliffs, vast majority of it off track.

The overall objective was to walk from the northernmost point of Wollemi National Park, all the way to the southernmost point at Kurrajong (near BigCi), whilst always remaining within the Park boundaries.  Nearly 2 years went into preparation and planning of this adventure. The full Traverse took 279km in distance and 12,627m of ascent to complete.

Yuri is currently in the process of writing a book about this journey.  He is delighted to share some of his exploration experience and knowledge of the bush with BigCi residents interested in nature, environment and wild places.

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October 2012
Carlotta Brunetti’s Master Class A Big Success

On Sunday, 7^th October 2012, BigCi ran a very special event: ‘Master Class – The Practice and Challenges of Site-Specific Land Art’ conducted by internationally renowned Italian born, German based land artist Carlotta Brunetti.

Carlotta is a recipient of numerous scholarships and prizes; she exhibited her work widely around the world including ‘Land Art and Contemporain’, France; I-Park, USA; Istanbul Biennale, Turkey; Guandu Nature Park, Taiwan; ‘Humus Park’ Land Art Meeting, Pordenone, Italy; Geumgang Nature Art Pre- Biennale, South Korea and many others.

Carlotta was artist-in-residence at BigCi at the beginning of 2012. She formed a special connection with this extraordinary land on the edge of the WollemiNational Park and created a site-specific work here.

Master Class presented a unique opportunity for the artists and art professionals to learn from her extraordinary knowledge of site-specific land art. It included both theory and hands on practical workshop on the beautiful grounds of BigCi.  The event was well attended by sculptors, land art educators and architects.

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July 2012 Newsletter

 

 

April 2012
Inaugural Open Day
On the 1^st of April 2012 BigCi (Bilpin international ground for Creative initiatives) held its first Open Day. Over 60 people came, many from far away, and it really felt like a very special event, a beginning of the vision to provide an inspirational place for artists and their creative initiatives.

Rae Bolotin, Creative Director of BigCi, shared with the audience how the idea of BigCi originated, what has been achieved so far and the plans for the future. She explained the criteria for artists to apply (see Application Form under Artist Residency) and how supporters can get involved (see Get Involved).

Carlotta Brunetti, a German/Italian land artist, delivered a highly visual lecture on light and colour in landscape. She also talked about the process of creating the site specific work for BigCi, how her preconceived ideas changed when she arrived here and the difficulties she experienced when faced with inclement weather and physical restrictions..

Wally McGregor, the winner of BigCi Scholarship for National Art School BFA (honours) graduate, spoke wittily about his experience during his artist residency program.

After the speeches, Yuri Bolotin took an enthusiastic group of explorers for a walk around the property and to see Carlotta’s work in situ.

The weather was in its most brilliant and the picnic that followed was most enjoyable.

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December 2011
Powerhouse Museum International Artists Visit

In September this year Lindie Ward, Curator of the ‘International Lace Award’ at the Powerhouse Museum visited BigCi along with exhibiting artists from the exhibition – Ulrika Berge, Sweden; Andrea Eimke, Cook Islands; Noelle Hamlyn, Canada and Lauran Sundin, USA. Our visitors inspected the artist studio, mud brick house and surrounding property and were fascinated by the beautiful Australian bush landscape. Hopefully we will see them again as artists in residency at BigCi at some point in the future.

The ‘International Lace Award’ will be at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney until April 2012.