NATIMUK will transform into a hub of art and festivities when the Nati Frinj Biennale returns next month.
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The renowned festival is held every two years with 2019's event running from November 1 to 3. The 2019 program was officially launched last week.
Festival director Hannah French said the event aimed to bring an eclectic, fun and unique perspective of the art world to the Wimmera.
"The festival is a wonderful opportunity to see art that is being produced in Natimuk. It's a real celebration of the idea that if you dare to call yourself an artist, then you are one," she said.
She said the program was packed with highlights.
"Lots of work comes to us and a lot is generated locally. We also get recommendations from other artists. Sometimes I'll see an act or a show somewhere else, and find a way to bring them to the Frinj festival," she said.
"The Styckx Theatre is going to be incredible. Y Space's Jillian Pearce and her team have been working really hard to create three different shows - one for each night of the festival.
"It's based around the elements of good playground design - time, space and gravity. There will be aerial performances with musical elements."
Created completely out of bamboo, the structure is 35-metres long, 25-metres wide and 16-metres high and is located at Natimuk Primary School.
Natimuk's Simon Barley designed the structure. He died in 2007.
"This is honouring his work and legacy in the town, and bringing to life one of his last designs," Ms French said.
She said Once and For All was another highlight of the program.
"It's made up of two parts. It starts with a tour of the Natimuk Cemetery, and finding some of the characters out there and telling their stories. Then it comes back into town with some performances from musicians and singers," she said.
"It's kind of a show about death, but more about celebrating the legacy of people who have lived here. It will be quite sensitive, but a very touching show."
Residents at Natimuk Aged Care created paper flowers to be incorporated into the show's set design.
The town's silos will come to life for the show Bee-Sharp Honeybee.
"It will be live premiere performance of a new composition based on the wing patterns of honey bees by composer Rae Howell," Ms French said.
"There will 12 string performers playing the score, as well as visual projections onto the silos."
Other highlights include a 3D projection show inside the silos called Parallax, a performance by 1980s themed dance troupe The Real Hot B**ches and the opening of Australia's first public climbing museum.
The festival will kick off with the traditional Frinj parade on Friday, November 1.
Ms French said the full program and tickets were available at www.natifrinj.com.
See the full program below
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