Melbourne is a hub of activity and it’s not just “games fever” that’s getting us all hot and bothered – the Next Wave festival launches today and is set to win thousands of fans. From March 15th to April 2nd young artists from all around the world will be spicing up the city with everything from film and audio to visual arts and performance. We had a quick chat to Next Wave’s Artistic Director, Marcus Westbury, to find out what makes this festival so damn spesh.
When was the next wave festival established and why?“Way back in 1985. I think the reason at the time had something to do with the international year of youth or something like that - but it has evolved a long way since then.”
How has the festival evolved since its genesis and where do you see it heading?“I think it started out much more as your typical government supported "youth" exercise but it has changed a lot since then. Back in the early to mid 90s it developed much more into a cutting edge festival for young artists and it has kept that tone ever since. The key element is that it's artists under 30, but beyond that it is probably the arts festival in the country with the most attitude. Young artists tend to be creative, difficult and trouble making, provocative - and we really embrace that.”
What is the idea behind this year’s theme, Empire Games?“Next Wave is on in Melbourne during the Commonwealth Games and we are also doing part of the Commonwealth Game's cultural program. The Commonwealth Games were originally known as the British Empire Games so we thought we would pick up on that term and see where artists today will take it. It has generated a lot of great responses and the Commonwealth Games support has meant that we have artists here from virtually every continent.”
There are more than 600 artists participating this year, across many different art forms – what is the one thing you think they share?“They're all passionate about what they're doing. I think they are also all
trying to push the boundaries of what they are doing in some way - which is probably what attracted us to them.”
What is it about Next Wave that inspires so many artists to take part?“It represents a great opportunity. For most of the artists involved, it represents one of the first opportunities that they've had to do a project with resources, in a major festival, where they're taken seriously.”
Which performances/exhibitions are you looking forward to most?"We had the festival opening last night down in Shed 14 in the docklands, which is a very big room full of 43 shipping containers with work from all around the world - it's pretty amazing and impressive. I am also a big fan of a group from Sydney called Spat'n'loogie who are doing a show called “NewShop!” that opens next week and I am really looking forward to that.”
For information check out the official site
www.nextwave.org