Catharsis

Catharsis was an interactive community art installation that has given the Armidale community an opportunity to shred its collective negative thoughts and contribute to the creation of a positive community art work. The installation was in place from 14 November to 14 December, 2014 at NERAM and in shop front windows throughout Armidale!

The Catharsis project originally kicked off in a pop-up space in Armidale, June 2014. Stage one encouraged the community to write negative feelings down and then shred them. The creation of a pile of shredded paper suggested we all have issues that we can let go of. Positive affirmations were simultaneously collected from video and the graffiti on walls for use later in the process.

Stages two and three involved taking the shredded paper and remaking it into new paper. A follow up workshop at the Museum of Printing (NERAM) made use of old letter press technology, to print excerpts of positive participant aspirations onto the hand made paper.

The installation at NERAM became the final focus of the six month Catharsis process. The installation included a projection, hand printed paper grid, interactive vinyl text and a sound scape made from material captured during stage one of Catharsis.

Positive text affirmations were also installed in multiple shop windows in the CBD to create a community artwork that complemented the art installation at NERAM.

Thanks to the cross-community support of Locals 4 Locals, Armidale Dumaresq Council, Community Mutual, the New England Regional Art Museum and the Australia Council for the Arts, the Beyond Empathy project Catharsis has reached individuals from across the community in a shared cathartic experience. Special thanks again to the shop space landlord and The Professionals Real Estate.

‘This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.‘