Each September, Melbourne Fringe transforms the city into a platform for every kind of art form imaginable. So what better place to celebrate artistic expression than here in the west – a unique and thriving cultural hub!
Fringe Westside, proudly presented by Maribyrnong, Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Moonee Valley and Wyndham City Councils, is set to be an artistic and cultural experience like no other.
With an extraordinary selection of performances, exhibitions and activations for all ages, the west will be abuzz during the Festival. It is the perfect opportunity to try something new, to get involved and to raise your eyebrows.
As part of Fringe, THE DEPARTMENT OF TOTAL FREEDOM is hosting its first social event for its happy citizens and productive community members at Braybrook Community Hub.
The COMPLETELY UNMONITORED NORMAL HUMAN SOCIAL GATHERING EVENT #0001 is an interactive performance installation that encourages participants to consider notions of communication, surveillance, government control, identity, politics and the power of propaganda in various forms.
Taking inspiration from George Orwell’s 1984, establishing Australian artist Matto Lucas created this activation to comment on our current political climate in a way that brings people together.
“This work considers the different ways we meet and interact with people in social settings,” Matto said.
The series of events both encourages and requires audience participation – members of the community are invited to take part in the ‘speed dating’ style meeting event where participants are given a menu of conversation items to choose from.
“If you stray from these topics, who knows how it will upset THE DEPARTMENT,” Matto said.
Matto wants people who come to this event to think about the boundaries of our own freedoms.
“I want it to be fun and to be a bit silly, but ideally I want you to walk away and consider how this work is an absurdist microcosm of the reality we are existing in. I want you to consider, in your everyday lives, the bigger game being played,” Matto continued.
So don’t miss the COMPLETELY UNMONITORED NORMAL HUMAN SOCIAL GATHERING EVENT #0001, the perfect chance to celebrate our obvious and complete freedoms during Melbourne Fringe. And don’t miss everything else Fringe Westside has to offer!
COMPLETELY UNMONITORED NORMAL HUMAN SOCIAL GATHERING EVENT #0001
22, 23, 29 September from 12 – 2pm and 6-8pm
30 September from 12 – 2pm
Braybrook Community Hub
1984 Book Club discussion
25 September from 6-8pm
Braybrook Community Hub
Fringe Westside
13 – 30 September
Various locations in Melbourne’s West
melbournefringe.com.au
