Past Event

4–26 Sept

Messengers of Brisbane

Messengers of Brisbane

Florentijn Hofman’s new work large scale public art project, inspired by Australian native bird, the Gouldian Finch, offering messages of hope to the people of Brisbane.

Brisbane Festival and Queensland Performing Arts Centre present

Florentijn Hofman (NL)

In September we will create a workshop activation closely located to our South Bank inflatable Finches. We will supply a family of Gouldian Finches and nests to cut, fold, colour and weave with new designs, and existing offerings from our online activities. A space is kept on the breast of one bird to encourage small messages of hope, written as a collective expression of a future we can achieve by looking after all creatures, and each other. A message could be ‘What we can do to help the Gouldian Finch? or ‘What have we learnt from our time in our nests at home?’

Anyone can create a new bird onsite in a workshop space to take home or add into an overhead installation of flocking finches collectively bringing colour, movement and connection to our festival and South Bank Parklands.  

Additionally, fabulous bright and bold postcards of Florentijn’s finches will be available in key locations within South Bank for further engagement with our local and broader communities.

Check out the worshop below.


Price

Free

Times

Open daily

Where

QPAC / South Bank / Goodwill Bridge / Brisbane Powerhouse / Queensland Museum / Brisbane City Council building

Important Info

Suitable for all ages

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#Finchy Fun Workshops

Come to Flowstate at Southbank for creative finchy fun at our Messengers of Brisbane workshops.

Collect a postcard, join the free craft activities under our giant Gouldian Finch and take your art home to enjoy.

Simply drop in at one of the below times!

Collage Creation

Sat 19 Sept & Wed 23 Sept

10am, 11am, 12pm
45min sessions

Avian Art

Sun 20 Sept & Thu 24 Sept

10am, 11am, 12pm
45min sessions

Flying Finch & Party Hats

Mon 21 Sept & Fri 25 Sept

10am, 11am, 12pm
45min sessions

Winged Wonder

Tue 22 Sept & Sat 26 Sept

10am, 11am, 12pm
45min sessions

#Creative Activity Sheets

Download the Messengers of Brisbane activity sheets for finchy fun at home!

Avian Art

Avian Art

Materials needed:
String, scissors, tape, glue, paper

Collage Creation

Collage Creation

Materials needed:
Glue, paper, printer, scissors, old magazines, sticks, leaves, other found objects

Flying Finch

Flying Finch

Materials needed:
Paper, printer

Geometric Generosity

Geometric Generosity

Materials needed:
Glue, paper, printer, scissors

Party Time

Party Time

Materials needed:
Printer, paper, scissors, string

Potato Press

Potato Press

Materials needed:
Potatoes, knife, paintbrush, fabric, paper

Winged Wonder

Winged Wonder

Materials needed:
Printer, paper, glue, cardboard, scissors

#Finches at Queensland Museum

See an inspiring display of 20 live finches fly about an aviary at Queensland Museum to celebrate Brisbane Festival. You can also take a step back in time and get an extraordinary insight into John and Elizabeth Gould’s The Birds of Australia, a book not usually seen as a part of the museum’s rare book collection. Make sure you visit during the Festival. 

Find out more

#Stay COVID Safe

We want you to enjoy the Festival and stay safe. Please follow COVID Safe practices when attending Festival events, and if you are unwell stay at home

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#International works by Florentijn Hofman

#Artist's Statement

Although conceived prior to the global Coronavirus outbreak, the artwork I am proposing for Brisbane Festival – Messengers of Brisbane – may be prophetic in its timing. This work breathes hope: hope for better days during the Festival and into the future.

The distance of the works on rooftops and other high positions indicate aspiration and at the same time question our current situation of social distancing and what freedom means to every individual. The works gift aim and direction in a time where creativity is paramount and the power of imagination must be relied upon to feel a flight synonymous to the bird. The beautiful bright colours – which mimic exactly those found in the natural plume of the Gouldian Finch – encourage people to likewise be colourful, to be amazed by these remarkable creatures. The hat is a very important feature in this work. It is an extension of my practice where I’ve used it as a tool in many prior works. For me it symbolises celebrating life, enjoying living and being positive, especially during this period but it is also appropriate to all life situations. Being positive makes one live longer and with more quality. While birds in nature are very autonomous, here as large-scale temporary sculptures in Brisbane they will indicate connection and the arrival of a positive message.


#Artist


#Partners

Brisbane Festival expresses deep respect to and acknowledges the First People of this Country.