Koalasize For You! Is the result of a creative collaboration between Rosie Deacon and digital artist Simon Burgin at studio responsive. The digital artwork is an interactive sequel to a previous work Koalasize.
Koalasize For You! invites the audience to participate in an irreverent aerobic dance routine and become an integral performance element of the artwork in the public space. For the original work, Rosie’s inspiration was 80’s instructional aerobic dance videos, inspired by morning show Aerobics Oz Style and the iconic national aerobic championships. She hand-crafted the quirky koala costumes which incorporated pompoms, nylon and lycra dance stretch fabrics, bike helmets, bath loofas, and knitted and crochet blankets. Aerobic routines were performed by Rosie in a bluescreen studio and filmed by videographer Dara Gill.
Expanding on the sensibility of the previous work, Koalasize For You! has been developed to facilitate an audience driven activation in Bunjil Place public space. The digital artwork leverages real-time digital processing to relay live augmented reality effects on to the participants on the Bunjil Place outdoor screen. For the artists, audience participation and engagement with specific communities importantly illustrates the inclusive nature of their practices. They both seek to find new and exciting ways to engage new audiences and seek out participation.
Koalasize For You!
Bunjil Place Outdoor Screen
November 2022 – February 2023
10.00am – 11.30am & 3.30pm – 5.00pm (daily)
Rosie is a Sydney artist exhibiting for the first time in Victoria. She has undertaken an artist-in-residence at the Old Cheese Factory in Berwick in preparation for her exhibition with Bunjil Place Gallery. Rosie is a contemporary artist who uses the process of assemblage for her work. Many of the materials she has used during her residency have come from op shops and art disposal centres. These materials are then repurposed as part of her work. Nostalgia plays a large part in Rosie’s work, especially childhood memories of 80's and 90's fashion and popular culture, made prominent through her distinct use of colour and subject matter. She also takes inspiration from her childhood. She enjoys making playful work that comes from a rich memory of making and gifting.
Simon Burgin - www.responsve.com
Simon Burgin is an interdisciplinary digital artist exploring core themes of environment and duality through contemporary media working across digital screens, immersive projection, live A/V as well as kinetic art outcomes. Grounded in experimental moving image, his practice utilizes creative coding to explore generative art processes, procedural design and interactive experiences with creative technology.
