museum of brisbane and · aboriginal people and the harsh beginnings of a penal colony, to the...

LEVEL 3, CITY HALL KING GEORGE SQUARE

t: 07 3339 0800e: [email protected]: museumofbrisbane.com.au

Museum of Brisbane and Brisbane Airport Corporation present

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PRESENTING PARTNER

Turning the perception of a museum on its head

Peter found that for museums to remain relevant and accurately represent their cities they must move from traditional passive institutions to ones that are responsive and dynamic. They must also provide an inclusive and unhindered space for debate and social involvement.

Enter 100% Brisbane. A world-first exhibition created by Museum of Brisbane that holds a mirror to the face of contemporary Brisbane, with a real-time view of the city, told by its people, alongside some of the city’s most defining moments. 100% Brisbane signifies a new direction for Museum of Brisbane and museum practices internationally. The Museum is presenting a living, breathing, highly interactive and evolving portrait of the city. It will provide a snapshot of not just who lives here, but what Brisbane residents believe and feel about the people, the city and the place Brisbane holds in the world. Visitors are invited to become part of the exhibition and help contribute to defining who we are as a city.

Last year, Museum of Brisbane Director Peter Denham was awarded a prestigious Churchill Fellowship, granting him the opportunity to travel to 16 cities across 10 countries. He visited more than 100 cultural organisations to meet, discuss and experience what they are doing to engage with their audiences and participate in the life of the city.

In a time of unprecedented global urbanisation — in which it is estimated that by 2050, nearly 80 per cent of the world’s population will live in cities — city museums have a crucial role in forming a sense of identity, community, belonging and acceptance.

100% Brisbane defies all expectations of ‘a typical museum exhibition’ and is a timely exploration of the question ‘who are we?’ which will continue to morph throughout the exhibition’s three-year run, with the input and participation of the audience. Rather than a ‘keeper’ or ‘observer’ of history, Museum of Brisbane will take on an active role as a participant in the city.

contentsMedia Release 4

Brisbane DNA 5

Ordinary objects with extraordinary stories 9

Who is Brisbane? 11

What does Brisbane believe? 12

What does Brisbane smell like? 13

100% BRISBANE MUSEUM OF BRISBANE 3


Museum of Brisbane will turn the perception of a museum on its head, when its world-first exhibition 100% Brisbane opens on 15 July 2016, presented in partnership with Brisbane Airport Corporation.

The three-year evolving exhibition will showcase a living, breathing portrait of Brisbane, through the voice of 100 of its residents and a focus on the city’s most defining moments.

The search for the 100-strong community was part of a global phenomenon started by Berlin-based theatre company Rimini Protokoll.

Based on Australian Bureau of Statistics data, each person selected represents one per cent of the city’s population. Together, the 100 people reflect the true face of Brisbane and form the ‘Brisbane DNA’ component of the multi-part exhibition.

Each of the 100 people’s stories will be showcased in a 90-minute filmic presentation, with some of their personal perspectives peppered throughout the rest of the exhibition.

All of the 100, except for the youngest, were also asked to complete an extensive survey, revealing their opinions on some of the country’s hottest issues, their attitudes and beliefs.

Museum of Brisbane Director Peter Denham said 100% Brisbane showcased a potent collection of personal accounts and revealed the city’s identity.

“Each person’s voice in the Brisbane DNA community provides an insight into who we are, how the people of Brisbane have shaped the city and how we have been shaped by some of the defining features of this place,” Mr Denham said.

While the survey results were intriguing, Mr Denham said the aim of the exhibition

was to also track changes in attitudes and beliefs over the course of three years.

Throughout the exhibition, visitors will be able to contribute to the project, sharing their information and opinions and comparing themselves to the 100 participants and discover who they are most like.

“This is a really interesting role for a city museum to play, not merely as an observer or a keeper of history, but as an active and responsive participant, as a mirror to the ever-changing social and cultural dynamics of a modern Australian city. We want everyone in Brisbane to come and have their say,” Mr Denham said.

Visitors will be welcomed to the exhibition by Country — a stunning multi-layered projection of interviews with members of the Aboriginal community, including Brisbane elder Uncle Bob Anderson and Yuggera, Nunukul and Yugambir man Shannon Ruska.

100% Brisbane will also take visitors on a journey from past through to present with ‘A Brisbane Story’, a short film written and presented by acclaimed author and actor William McInnes.

Defining moments throughout the city’s history — from the dispossession of Aboriginal people and the harsh beginnings of a penal colony, to the consuming and devastating floods and tram era — will be explored through a mix of artwork and objects with extraordinary stories.

Rubble from lost heritage buildings, a pair of leg irons and a window with a bullet hole will sit alongside beautiful art by the likes of Megan Cope, William Bustard, Ryan Presley and Vida Lahey. A six-metre interactive statistics wall bought to life by projection will reveal

facts like 11 per cent of Brisbane is parkland, the average price of a coffee is $3.62 and the steepest street is Gower Street in Toowong.

Brisbane Airport Corporation Head of Corporate Relations Rachel Crowley said the organisation was honoured to be the presenting partner of an exciting exhibition that celebrated the wonderfully diverse city.

“Everyone has a story, we see this every day at the airport, so an exhibition that reveals who we are as a city, where we come from and where we’re going, is something we are thrilled to get behind,” Ms Crowley said.

A program of events will accompany the exhibition, including panel discussions, curator tours and workshops. For a full list of current programs visit museumofbrisbane.com.au

Museum of Brisbane is open daily from 10am to 5pm, on level three of Brisbane City Hall — entry is free.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACTS Michaela Tam Agency North M: 0431 868 382 E: [email protected] Jaishri Johnstone Agency North M: 0404 188 615 E: [email protected]

CONNECT WITH MUSEUM OF BRISBANEFacebook: /MuseumofBrisbaneTwitter: @MuseumofBrisInstagram: museumofbrisbane #museumofbrisbane #100brisbane

MEDIA RELEASE

Brisbane put under the microscope like never before


ASIAN MIGRANT POPULATIONCharlie Kang (17%) and Amber Lei Lo (18%) are a young couple. Charlie grew up near Seoul, while Amber was born in Singapore and has lived in many other cities like Shanghai and Hong Kong. They met in high school on the Gold Coast, where they formed a tight-knit group of friends from around the world, and all moved to Brisbane together.

Brisbane DNA

The ‘Brisbane DNA’ element of 100% Brisbane explores the life stories, interconnectivity and opinions of 100 Brisbane residents. Based on a model by celebrated Berlin theatre company Rimini Protokoll, Museum of Brisbane has taken Australian Bureau of Statistics data for the city, and given them a face and voice. Each of these 100 people represent one per cent of the population, offering a dynamic snapshot of Brisbane today.

The mammoth search to find 100 people began with Nicky (1%), who had to recruit another participant within 24 hours, who then recruited another and so on, all according to the profiles established by the data-based search criteria. It was fascinating to see how Brisbane’s subcultures, ethnic groups and other special interest bodies intertwined. Some of the most prominent streams are outlined below.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTSMaya Peres Bhatt (7%) is an Indian student who is new to Brisbane. She is a ballroom dancer and works at a fast food restaurant and the markets. Her father is a coffee mogul back home and it was his dream for his children to study overseas. Maya recommended her friend Jan Bobek (8%) for the project. Jan is from Slovenia, where he worked for his father’s real estate company before he moved to Brisbane to study IT, Games and Programming.

1% 7% 17%

8% 18%


AFRICAN COMMUNITYSamuel Kimanuka (58%) came to Australia in 2005 from Burundi as a refugee and is a social worker supporting migrants to settle in to Brisbane. He met his wife here and they have two children. Samuel works with Daphrose Nolikumana (59%), who is also from Burundi. Daphrose came to Brisbane in 2004 and after going to TAFE to learn English she worked in a childcare centre and is now a coordinator at a family day care. Her godson Jarvis (60%) is also in the exhibition.

Brisbane DNA

LIVE MUSIC SCENEAdam Reilly (31%) manages an independent guitar retail shop and knows Liam Brennan (32%) from around the traps. Liam is in a punk band called ‘Release the Hounds’ and is a freelance cameraman and videographer. Not much further down the trail is Jodie Lawlor (35%) another member of the punk scene who plays in ‘Flangipanis’ and is a medical receptionist by day.

INTERFAITHAri Heber (44%) is the coordinator at the Queensland Jewish Community Service and a facilitator at MARS (Men Affected by Rape and Sexual Abuse). He met Sultan (George) Deen (45%) as part of the Forum for Christians, Jews and Muslims, which meets every month. Sultan runs Deen Bros Earthmoving and Demolition firm and is a controversial identity in Brisbane due to his part in the destruction of iconic heritage buildings. Sultan is Muslim and has spent more than 12 years working on interfaith relations. He is Deputy Chair of the Queensland Police Service Ethnic Advisory Group and last year set up a community service centre at Acacia Ridge.

31% 44% 58%

32%

35%

45% 59%

60%


Brisbane DNA

TRADITIONAL OWNERSJudith Watego (73%) is Ngugi Gorenpul Noonuccal of the Junobin clan from the Quandamooka Nation and recalls a time when her family was the only Aboriginal family in the street and at school. Judith links to her sister Becky Thomson (74%) who is interested in building better relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the broader community. She was widowed at 36 with three children and is currently retired and a member of a senior gymnastics team.

LGBTIQAri Frost (80%) came out in a rough high school when he was 13, but didn’t find his place within the gay community until he was 35. Ari put forward his acquaintance Rob Kirk (81%), who grew up in a wealthy family in New Zealand. He ran away to London at 15 and danced at the legendary Madame Jojo’s and has been doing drag as ‘Tara’ for 35 years. Rob put the Museum in touch with a popular fellow drag queen Sophiaan Subhan (82%), who is an academic at Griffith University. Sophiaan is the eldest in a Muslim-Malay family and his partner Chris (83%) is also in the exhibition.

73% 80% 82%

74% 81% 83%

100% City

Brisbane DNA is the world-first off-stage translation of the performance 100% City, an international theatrical phenomenon conceived and produced by Berlin-based theatre company Rimini Protokoll that has been performed in 28 cities and 22 different countries.

Rimini Protokoll is the collective label under which Helgard Haug, Stefan Kaegi and Daniel Wetzel work and collaborate. Together and separately, their practice encompasses the realms of theatre, sound and radio plays, film and installation. Rimini Protokoll has turned the world of theatre upside-down with their insistence that ordinary people, or ‘experts from daily life’, can be as compelling on stage as anything by Shakespeare.


During the first years following closure of the penal settlement in 1839, Dundalli became the figurehead of resistance to European settlement of the area around Brisbane. He was respected by the various Aboriginal groups and feared by the Europeans. Dundalli’s social responsibilities and duty to uphold his laws and values drew him into a series of events that would see him hunted for more than 10 years.

Ryan’s artwork will sit next to the only known image of Dundalli, a courtroom portrait drawn when he was on trial for murder in 1854. He was found guilty and hanged on 5 January 1855.

Ordinary objects with extraordinary stories Ordinary objects tell extraordinary stories including the dispossession of Aboriginal people, the harsh beginnings of a penal colony, the consuming and devastating floods and the tram era. 100% Brisbane also explores defining moments in Brisbane’s history through more than 60 objects and artworks.

Peppered throughout the exhibition are personal perspectives from the 100% Brisbane community, to illustrate how the voices of residents, past and present, provide an insight into who Brisbane is, how the people of Brisbane have shaped the city and how its people have been shaped by some of the defining features.

THE PAINTING THAT CONNECTS MEANJIN TO BRISBANE The Moreton Bay penal settlement was established on a ridge on the north side of the Brisbane River, an area known as Meanjin, in early 1825. It is estimated there were approximately 5,000 Aboriginal people living between Pine River in the north to Logan River in the south.

A commission by the Museum for 100% Brisbane — a new artwork by Brisbane-based Indigenous artist Ryan Presley — depicts the infamous Dundalli, who belonged to the Dala clan of the Jimibara tribal group, from country north of Brisbane.

Ryan Presley (b. 1987)10 Dollar Note – OODGEROO 2014Vinyl stickersMuseum of Brisbane


Ordinary objects with extraordinary stories

THE LAST PIECE OF CLOUDLAND Serving as a symbol of the fiery ongoing debate, rubble from Cloudland, one of Brisbane’s most iconic heritage buildings, will be on show. The wall sconce was donated by a protestor who nabbed it as a memento after the building’s destruction.

Deen Bros Earthmoving and Demolition firm was engaged to level Cloudland and a quote from Sultan (George) Deen (45%) will accompany the remnant: “70 per cent of Brisbane’s city high rises, we’ve had a role in. We’ve created history changing the landscape of Brisbane.”

BELOVED BELONGINGS MISPLACED AFTER THE FLOODSThe statistics from 1974 and 2011 are revealing in regards to the extent of the flood events:• Number of homes flooded: more than

15,000 in 1974 and more than 25,000 in 2011

• Number of people left homeless: 8,000 in 1974 and around 12,000 in 2011

However, statistics do not convey the emotional strain and personal loss experienced by those flooded. Items of daily life were spread throughout the house or washed away. Only the most robust items survived the floodwaters, and few intact.

This mud-encrusted turntable was saved from the extensive rubbish piles that bloomed around the suburbs in 2011.

Belongings were distributed far and wide by the floodwaters. The Brisbane Charity Cup of the Queensland British Football Association was first awarded in 1894. It was found in the muddy backyard of a house on Kooringal Street, Jindalee after the 1974 flood.

TRAM DAYSFew topics are more likely to arouse feelings of nostalgia among older Brisbane people than the trams, which served the city and suburbs from 1897, but were discarded in 1969 to make way for freeways and diesel buses.

THE BROKEN WINDOW FROM BLACK FRIDAY One of the most intriguing objects on display in 100% Brisbane is Police Commissioner Cahill’s office window. A shot was fired through the window in the Treasury building during a workers strike in early 1912. The strike was regarded as Australia’s first general strike and it almost paralysed the city.

The confrontation culminated on Friday 2 February when a gathering of 15,000 strikers was charged by 2,000 armed police and special constables, resulting in a short but bloody battle. The day was quickly branded Black Friday.

Images made available on request.

Everyone sees the city and its history differently, but they are all valid points of view.


Who is Brisbane?

Key filters based on data from Australian Bureau of Statistics (as of 27 September, 2015). Current population estimate: 1,146,787.

The 100 people in ‘Brisbane DNA’ were found using the below data. In order to make the group of 100 even more representative, statistical filters relating to employment, sexual orientation, level of education, mixed ability and cultural identity were also taken into account.

Average price of a coffee

$3.62Cappuccino Price Index

Age Group 0-5

7% 6-12

8% 13-17

6% 18-24

12% 25-34

17% 35-44

15% 45-54

13% 55-64

10% 65+

12%

Resid- ential locationInner City

4% Inner North

7% Inner South

10% Inner East & Eastern

8% Inner West & Western

9% Northern & North East

17% North West

6% Southern

18% South East

9% South West

7% Outer West

2% Bayside & Moreton Island

3%

Region of Birth

Australia

70% Pacific

6% UK & Ireland

5% Mainland Europe

3% North-East Asia

4% South-East Asia

4% Southern & Central Asia

3% Africa & Middle East

3% Americas

2%

Sex

Female

51% Male

49%

The exhibition will also provide some fascinating statistics about life around Brisbane and its people.

Household composi-tionCouple with no children

22% Couple with children

49% One parent family

11% Single

17% Other

1%

# registered dogs in Brisbane

100,505Brisbane City Council

Fire ants infest

3,798hawhich is

2.8%of BrisbaneBiosecurity Queensland Control Centre

# of streets in Brisbane

17,110 Brisbane City Council


What does Brisbane believe?

Results reveal people with similar backgrounds can have widely differing views on the world and life in Brisbane, while on the other hand, people from vastly different backgrounds and social circles can hold similar views.

To paint an accurate portrait of the ever-changing social and cultural dynamics of the city, Museum of Brisbane will track changes in attitudes and beliefs over the course of the exhibition. Visitors are invited to enter their answers to some of the survey questions, and find out who in the 100 their attitudes and beliefs most align with. There might be some surprising results.

Some revealing insights from the 100 include:

Housing affordability

16%own more than one house

27% fear they will never be able to afford their own home.

Climate change

86% believe in climate change

85% are worried about the Great Barrier Reef

12% say the media is biased about climate change.

Marriage Equality

77% support marriage equality

78% identify as heterosexual.

Domestic violence

13% have been a victim of domestic violence.

Immigration and asylum seekers

54% believe the number of immigrants coming into Australia should increase, 21 per cent said the number should stay the same, 19 per cent didn’t care and 6 per cent said it should decrease

71% believe asylum seekers are legal

3% came to Australia in a boat

13% have moved to escape violence

36% believe the media are biased about asylum seekers.

Reconciliation

95% believe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be recognised in the Constitution.

Other insights

69% know their neighbours by name

72% believe they will be affected by war one day.

Each of the 100 people (except for the youngest) in Brisbane DNA were asked to answer an extensive survey, asking everything from their views on marriage equality and housing affordability to if they know their neighbours by name.


What does Brisbane smell like?

Smell is one of the senses most closely linked to memory and emotion. Operating differently to sound and touch, smell is unique among the senses as it travels directly to key regions of the brain associated with long-term memory and emotional behaviour. In 100% Brisbane, recollections of the past that involve smell will emotionally connect visitors to key places and events, extending far beyond the visual memory.

Visitors will be able to get a whiff of four scents — mangroves, sunshine and summer, thunderstorms and rain, and frangipanis — and contemplate what smells connect them to the city. This topic will no doubt spark a huge amount of debate, with responses so far ranging from the Ekka, to jacarandas, to freshness.

So, what does Brisbane smell like?

Frangipanis

“They’re the smell of summer” (77% - Dion) “When I smell the frangipanis I feel relieved and I can put my thongs and singlet on.” (31% - Adam)

Mangroves

“When you’re travelling from the north side it’s pretty bad and you think why does the city smell like sewerage?” (13% - Janna)

Sunshine and summer

“It feels like home.” (33% - Denis) “As you get older the humidity becomes harder on your body.” (41% - Karen) “That hot humid smell. I feel like I’m always on vacation.” (9% - Jens) “The mugginess. It’s like I’ve stepped into a whole new world.” (22% - Gianni) “Sometimes I feel like I am still in Africa. When it’s cold I think ‘no, this is definitely not Africa.’ It makes me have a new mind and in a new environment we appreciate what we have.” (58% - Samuel)

Rain

“The smell that connects me to Brisbane is rain on a road and hot storms.” (88% - Grant) “Water running down the gutters and wet foliage, it feels comforting.” (89% - Fiona) “The smell that connects me to Brisbane is the bitumen when it’s started raining. It makes me want to get into bed.” (99% - Caitlin) “The rain on bitumen as it ozonizes. It’s comforting as the Earth is soaking it up and it’s doing everyone good.” (53% - Diana) “The smell of rain on a tin roof. It makes me feel relaxed.” (54% - Diana) “But these days it doesn’t smell right. Now there’s pollution in the air, the rain smells chemically.” (34% - Paul)

Freshness

“It makes me feel really relieved.” (19% - Nhu).

Museum of Brisbane has recreated what the city smells like according to the Brisbane DNA community.

Media Enquiries

connect

For all media enquiries, please contact Agency North

Michaela Tam Agency North M: 0431 868 382 E: [email protected]

Jaishri Johnstone Agency North M: 0404 188 615 E: [email protected]

Follow Museum of Brisbane

#museumofbrisbane#100brisbane

EXHIBITION SUPPORTERS

PRESENTING PARTNER

MEDIA PARTNER

TECHNOLOGY PARTNER

ACCOMMODATION PARTNER

100% Brisbane is supported by Creative Partnerships Australia through Plus1.

This project is supported by the Australian Government through the Ministry for the Arts’ Catalyst — Australian Arts and Cultural Fund

museum of brisbane and · aboriginal people and the harsh beginnings of a penal colony, to the...

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