PUBLIC ART COMMISSION, ORANGE
A unique clock, installed at the entrance to Civic Theatre, inviting audiences to reimagine time.
Eastern Standard Time (EST) was a hard-fought imperative of the 19th century linking diverse geographies around a standard set of increments convenient for trade. This form of time, which is now considered time itself, was layered over other approaches that were local, specific, seasonal, and non-linear.
Dancing with Bees will focus on bees from Wiradjuri Country, Orange, and surrounding areas, whose rhythms of life secure food production. In collaboration with the Department of Primary Industries, Orange, Zanny Begg created high resolution images of bees that will form one face of the clock; one pollinator will rotate 360 degrees each hour, highlighting 12 different bees whose survival is bound up with ours (see images to the right).
The minutes will be marked by dancers who will interpret the specific look, colour or movements of the pollinators. Honeybees talk to each other by dancing, the inclusion of dancers will highlight this astonishing fact and invite audiences to think about what else we can learn from the insect world (see images to the right).
The clock will be functional but deciphering it will encourage deep thinking about time.
A partnership between Zanny Begg, Orange Regional Gallery and Orange City Council. Funded by Create NSW, Australia Council for the Arts and Orange City Council. Zanny Begg was awarded the Create Australia Visual Arts Fellowship, 2023.
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Dancing with Bees, a forthcoming digital public artwork by Zanny Begg commissioned by Orange Regional Gallery and funded by Create Australia, Create NSW and Orange City Council with support from Department of Primary Industries, Orange, launching in 2024.
Choreography by Larissa McGowan in collaboration with dancers; Ashlee Wilson, Mike Hodyl, Max Burgess, Maddie Tratt, Claudia Horan, Harlisha Newie-Joe, Ella Havelka, Sarah Kalule, Paityn Klaare, Madison Gwynne, Lucy Nunn, Lylah Maunder, with tumbling by Aquila Rickards.
Costumes by Alexi Freeman, Quiren van Nispen, Zanny Begg, Michelle McCosker and Walanmarra Malungan Dance Group. Hair and Makeup by Nereeda, Alysha Maree Makeup and Diana, Elysian Hair and Makeup Studio.
Camera by Little Image Co.
With thanks to Jordan Bailey, Stephen Rangott, Orange Civic Theatre and Catherine McNamara, Milly Richards, Kate Tracey, Phenix Rickards, Saoirse Nicholson, and Elysia Ling.