City of Rockingham Talks Couches
Date Published: 11/02/2011
Two delightfully eclectic lounges have been radically redesigned by young people to amuse, inspire and beguile with a pre-recorded selection of their stories, thoughts and hopes for the future.
The ‘talking couches’ will be exhibited as part of this year’s Perth International Arts Festival (PIAF) which opens today. Coordinated by West Australian Artist, Lewis Horne, the couches were donated by the City of Rockingham’s Recycle Centre have been reborn with jewels, fur, feathers and teeth.
Focussed on engaging Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) local youth, the project was supported by the Department for Communities, Strategic Youth Projects Grants.
Lewis has facilitated art workshops and projects with young people throughout the state over the past eight years, he described the motivation for using couches as the base for the art pieces: “A couch is a place where we relax, unwind, share and feel safe; to contemplate what is happening in our day-to-day lives and share our stories.
“Having had the opportunity to work with a great diversity of young people has been rewarding and insightful - it has been great to watch the participants grow in confidence and ability.”
Lewis obtained funding from the Perth International Arts Festival to work with three youth groups on the 'Talking Couches' Project. Rockingham’s PROSPECT group began work on the project in November 2010.
City of Rockingham Mayor, Barry Sammels congratulated the group: “The young people have done a really great job producing these comfy, fun couches, giving them a unique opportunity to tell their stories.
“City Officers together with Lewis, have provided much needed support for at risk youth by building stronger links in the community.”
The festival’s Talking Couches will be situated at key locations around the City during PIAF.
More Information
Perth International Arts Festival
See the couches:
Becks Music Box February 11 – 13, the State Theatre Centre from February 18 – 20, Perth Cultural Centre February 25 – 27, and at the Perth Writers Festival at UWA from March 3-7
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