We've had The Ghan from the Australian mainland, Go South from New Zealand - now it's time for a complete set from the continent with some Slow TV from Tasmania.
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| Aurora Australis image courtesy of Ian Stewart |
Slowbart, a play on the capital's name, Hobart, and its apparent reputation as a principal city with a more mellow lifestyle, is happening at The Loop, a digital art platform for the city.
It's a special point of interest that the program is being touted as 'ambient film' - something which Slow TV can be, but not often recognised as by audiences and media commentators. It's like ambient music - immerse into it, or use it as a sensory wallpaper.
The press release from The University of Tasmania reads:
"Unseen perspectives of life in Hobart are set to be revealed in a new creative initiative in the heart of the city.
“Hobart has an easy-going and serene atmosphere that’s unusual for a capital city. The films curated for Slowbart will reveal unusual views of Hobart and our surrounds through the eyes of many creative residents,” University of Tasmania Head of Media Dr Claire Konkes said.
“The films have been curated in the genre of ‘Slow TV’ to show gradually unfolding moments and experiences, designed to be enjoyed by audiences as they wait, pass by, or settle in for the feature films.”
Slowbart curators and emerging filmmakers Victoria Bremner and Heath Willis (pictured) developed the Slowbart film concept while interning at the City of Hobart as part of their media studies at the University of Tasmania.
“We encouraged filmmakers, artists and content makers of all kinds to scour their hard drives, delve into the depths of their filing cabinets and check under their beds to contribute imagery and film for the program,” Ms Bremner said.
“After viewing it all I carefully selected footage to produce The Hour of Power, a one-hour long presentation of short film, animation and documentary, which will be screened each lunchtime until late December.”
The program’s feature film Slowbart: An ambient film was also produced from local contributions and scored to original music by emerging composer Finn Clarke. The film is curated by Heath Willis with support from Fraser Johnston of Spectral Media.
“This creative partnership has brought together filmmakers who have sought to capture what makes Hobart unique as a capital city,” Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said.
“We are so lucky to live in a city that is surrounded by nature and which provides us with so many opportunities to slow down and appreciate what we have. I congratulate the curators and contributors for bringing this film initiative to life.”
Slowbart: An ambient film program will be officially opened by Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds and Dr Meg Keating (Head of School, Media and Creative Arts, University of Tasmania) today, 5:30–6:30pm at The Loop, 157 Elizabeth street, Hobart. Slowbart: an ambient film and The Hour of Power will be screened at the launch.
The Loop is an initiative of the City of Hobart through the Creative Hobart strategy in partnership with the University of Tasmania. The schedule is available at theloophobart.com.au/program."
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