My Secession Party

My Secession Party
2011
Public commission as part of Iteration:Again

www.iterationagain.com

My Secession Party was presented as part of ‘Iteration:Again’, an exhibition of 13 temporary public artworks installed in Hobart and Launceston between 24th September and 15th October 2011. During this period each work changed or developed 4 ‘iterations’ over the 4 weeks.

Over a 4 week period My Secession Party transformed from beginning as a rumour (there will be a new island, the artist is going to secede to this island), to forming through a social action (a procession, a celebration), to developing into an independent island (living independently but in full public view), to disappearing with a farewell celebration.

SAT 24 SEPT
(Iteration 1): Flier walk

I walked from Glenorchy to the Montrose Foreshore Community Park over a 4 hour period with a banner/sandwich board handing out fliers and letter dropping the invitation to help celebrate ‘My Secession Party’. Walking a few meters ahead of me was a drummer who plays a repetitive beat. When asked I explain that I am seceding from Tasmania and establishing a new island in Elwick Bay the following weekend and that they are invited to the procession the following Saturday.

SAT 1 OCTOBER
(Iteration 2): Procession and setup

Assisted by the Tasmanian Police Pipe Band, the Tasmanian Cheer Squad as well as friends, colleagues and family - I processed to the Montrose Foreshore where I climbed into a small blow-up dingy and rowed out to the new island which was my home for the next 2 weeks. The procession gradually disseminated as I set up on the island.

SUN 2 OCTOBER – SAT 15 OCTOBER
(Iteration 3): Island

For 2 weeks I remained on the small island without leaving. During this time there are several organised performances, some of which are not advertised publicly and rely on chance encounter. Over the 2 weeks the Police Band bag piper visited me and played 3 times a week, I am also serenaded from the shore by Maria Lurighi.

SAT 15 OCTOBER
(Iteration 4): Farewell

This was the final day of secession and it marked the closing of the project and the sudden disappearance of the island at Elwick Bay. At 3pm people gathered at the shore, volunteers prepared food and handed out drinks. At 3pm I inflated the blow-up dingy and rowed to shore where the crowd waited. As I climbed ashore the Police Band bag piper played a lament to the island and for the secession which was now finished.

Photography: Hannah Olding, Fred Assenheimer and James Newitt

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	My Secession Party 2011 Public commission as part of Iteration:Again

	www.iterationagain.com My Secession Party was presented as part of ‘Iteration:Again’, an exhibition of 13 temporary public artworks installed in Hobart and Launceston between 24th September and 15th October 2011. During this period each work changed or developed 4 ‘iterations’ over the 4 weeks. Over a 4 week period My Secession Party transformed from beginning as a rumour (there will be a new island, the artist is going to secede to this island), to forming through a social action (a procession, a celebration), to developing into an independent island (living independently but in full public view), to disappearing with a farewell celebration.



	SAT 24 SEPT (Iteration 1): Flier walk I walked from Glenorchy to the Montrose Foreshore Community Park over a 4 hour period with a banner/sandwich board handing out fliers and letter dropping the invitation to help celebrate ‘My Secession Party’. Walking a few meters ahead of me was a drummer who plays a repetitive beat. When asked I explain that I am seceding from Tasmania and establishing a new island in Elwick Bay the following weekend and that they are invited to the procession the following Saturday.





	SAT 1 OCTOBER (Iteration 2): Procession and setup Assisted by the Tasmanian Police Pipe Band, the Tasmanian Cheer Squad as well as friends, colleagues and family - I processed to the Montrose Foreshore where I climbed into a small blow-up dingy and rowed out to the new island which was my home for the next 2 weeks. The procession gradually disseminated as I set up on the island.





	SUN 2 OCTOBER – SAT 15 OCTOBER (Iteration 3): Island For 2 weeks I remained on the small island without leaving. During this time there are several organised performances, some of which are not advertised publicly and rely on chance encounter. Over the 2 weeks the Police Band bag piper visited me and played 3 times a week, I am also serenaded from the shore by Maria Lurighi.



	SAT 15 OCTOBER (Iteration 4): Farewell This was the final day of secession and it marked the closing of the project and the sudden disappearance of the island at Elwick Bay. At 3pm people gathered at the shore, volunteers prepared food and handed out drinks. At 3pm I inflated the blow-up dingy and rowed to shore where the crowd waited. As I climbed ashore the Police Band bag piper played a lament to the island and for the secession which was now finished.



	Photography: Hannah Olding, Fred Assenheimer and James Newitt