The Planting is a speculative audio artwork set in 2029, exploring the future impacts of climate change, social movements and caring for Country across the continent of so-called Australia.
The Planting merges documentary with science fiction, Indigenous futuring with social impact work and storytelling with history-making. Created for a ‘speaker orchestra’, The Planting is a deep listening experience featuring interviews with Yuin man Bruce Pascoe, Yorta Yorta woman Kathryn Coff, Barkindji woman Zena Cumpston, Canadian journalist Naomi Klein, and traditional fire practitioners Jason Smith and Danny Gardner. With field recordings from Landcare plantings on Djaara Country, and of bird life on Wadawurrung, the Gulidjan and the Gadubanu Country, The Planting also features traditional burning workshops in lutruwita (Tasmania).
Lead Artist – Alex Kelly
Composition & Sound Design – Lawrence Harvey
Dramaturg – David Pledger
Producer – Sophia Marinos
Sound Systems Engineer – Simon Maisch
Additional Composition – Aaron Cupples
Design – Elliat Rich
Sound recordings Alex Kelly, Anna Cadden, Zoe Scoglio, Jorgen Doyle, Caddie Brain
Featuring Bruce Pascoe, Naomi Klein, Zena Cumpston, Danny Gardiner, Jason Smith, Kathryn Coff, SIAL Studio students & members of Castlemaine Landcare
Polykeepers of Time – Clancy Kelly, Poppy Cowell, Sweeney Comte-Harvey, Alex Kelly, Sophia Marinos, David Pledger
Time Sweep Requests – Pirjo Haikola, Sarah Teasley, Samantha Comte, Chuan Khoo, Oliver Cotsaftis
Locations Dja Dja Wurrung Country, Western Arrarnta Country, Wadawurrung Country, Gulidjan Country, Gadubanu Country. The Planting also features traditional burning workshops in Southern lutruwita.
Support The Planting has been created in partnership with RMIT University and the Spatial Information Architecture Laboratory (SIAL) Sound Studios, and with the support of Mount Alexander Shire Council, Get Lost, Castlemaine State Festival, Playking Foundation, Sidney Myer Fund, Community Impact Foundation, the Australia Council for the Arts, Australian Network for Art and Technology, and the Bertha Foundation as part of the 2021 Bertha Challenge Fellowship program.
The World Premiere of The Planting took place at Storey Hall, RMIT University on April 24th 2022 for ANAT SPECTRA 2022: Multiplicity, presented by the Australian Network for Art and Technology (ANAT).