Blak to the Future

Date

Fri 1 - Sun 11 May

Venue

Forecourt

Arts Centre Melbourne

100 St Kilda Road, Southbank VIC 3004

Harnessing humour and a heavy dose of satire, this exhibition responds to past, present and future, delving into themes of absurdism, horror and the impacts of ongoing colonisation.

Visual Art

Youth

Free

Step into the Blak to the Future Matrix of stories and artworks, 80,000 years in the making.

Look out! Blak to the Future is crash landing onto the forecourt of Arts Centre Melbourne.

Returning for its fifth iteration like never before, this exhibition reflects on the deep-rooted history and ongoing presence of Blak art in Narrm. It dives into Blak to the Future’s grassroots origins, presenting archival footage and new works within an immersive, 360 lounge room inspired installation.

Blak to the Future is grounded in themes of Futurism, Survival, and the impacts of ongoing colonisation on First Nations people. In a colony that sought to erase our existence, we continue to resist and take up space. Blak to the Future will serve as a place of respite within the bustling CBD, inviting viewers in to rest and reflect.

An amalgamation of the past, present, and future, Blak to the Future will stand as a portal between worlds—paying tribute to those who came before us and expressing our desires for the future.

Performance Details

Venue

Forecourt

Arts Centre Melbourne

100 St Kilda Road, Southbank VIC 3004

Dates & Times

1–11 May Activation: every day from Fri 2 to Sun 11 May (9am - 5pm)

Tickets

Free, no booking required ACCESSIBILITY ENQUIRIES Venue Phone: 1300 182 183 Venue Email: tickets@artscentremelbourne.com.au

Artist Information

Curator

Rosie Kalina (she/her), Wemba Wemba/Gunditjmara

Lead artist

Tahnee Edwards (she/her), Yorta Yorta/Taungurung

Artwork

Tahnee Edwards

Artist Bio

Rosie Kalina Rosie Kalina is a proud Wemba Wemba and Gunditjmara woman and is Creative Associate for YIRRAMBOI Festival. Rosie’s background is in visual arts and curating, makeup artistry, community arts work and event producing. Rosie has engaged in multiple First Nations youth-led projects, such as co-curating the ‘Blak to the Future’ series at Footscray Community Arts (2018 — 2020). Rosie made her directorial debut in 2023 with ‘Tomorrow: the experience’ an experimental First Nations Fashion extravaganza, presented by YIRRAMBOI. Determined to create more culturally safe opportunities for young First Nations people in the arts, Rosie focuses on youth programming in her role within YIRRAMBOI. Rosie aims to ensure First Nations autonomy and excellence are at the forefront of every project she is part of, with the guidance of her Elders and community. Tahnee Edwards Tahnee Edwards (she/her) is a proud Yorta Yorta & Taungurung woman, designer, business owner, and community worker based in Narrm/Melbourne. Gammin threads is her side hustle and creative outlet from her part-time job at Aboriginal family violence prevention service Djirra, where she works in comms and community engagement. Tahnee has a love of typography and pop culture, and is inspired by culture, community and cool aunties.

Instagram

@blak.tothefuture

Additional Information

Audiences will be able to engage with the public artwork on the shipping container, viewing from the outside before moving into the inside. Attendees will be encouraged to move through the space, with designated areas for standing to view the artworks and seating options. There will be a soundscape playing on a loop on speakers inside the exhibition.