Dizzy seems to know that things are not good,
2024 Mixed media installation, seven-channel audio, Christmas tree, presents, mirror ball 9min 21 sec
Northern Centre for Contemporary Art, Darwin, Australia 17th October to 16th November 2024
Suspended in a dimly lit room, the installation captivates the senses, inviting viewers into a realm where nostalgia and wonder intertwine. Seven objects each meticulously wrapped in lustrous gold foil, dangle from the ceiling like a kinetic mobile slowly spinning around the room above our heads, their familiar shapes evoking memories of gifts never received. As your eyes adjust to the soft ambiance, you discern the unmistakable outlines: a child’s bicycle promising adventure, a tennis racket holding the potential for spirited matches, a basketball embodying dreams of athletic prowess, a large cubic box concealing untold mysteries, an electric guitar resonating with rock star aspirations, a doll waiting to become a cherished companion, and a shoebox perhaps hiding a pair of coveted footwear. At the heart of this golden constellation, an inverted Christmas tree rotates slowly, defying gravity and conventional festive norms. The entire ensemble pirouettes gracefully, casting a spell of childlike wonder upon all who witness it. A solitary beam of bright white light kisses the installation, igniting a warm, golden glow that dances across the room as the objects turn in their celestial ballet. Approaching closer, you’re enveloped by a soft sonic tapestry. Each golden present whispers its own story – voices recounting events that have lingered in memory for fifty years. These ethereal narratives blend with the gentle tinkling of Brahms’ lullaby emanating from the central Christmas tree, its music box rendition adding a touch of sweet melancholy to the atmosphere. This immersive artwork invites viewers to reflect on an event which resists the passage of time, revealing the persistence of memory, and the enduring magic of childhood dreams.
Supported by Creative Australia
Andrew Belletty 