Since opening in October 2002, Fed Square has cemented itself as a Melbourne landmark. Sitting boldly in the middle of the city, the square has definitely had its fair share of controversy over its unique design and aspirations. Despite this, it’s received five awards for its architecture, been voted among the top ten public squares in the world, and become a meeting spot for millions of diners, tourists, art fanatics and protestors alike. Recently, it’s even been recognised as one of the world’s youngest heritage-listed buildings.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary and the tens of thousands of years in which the Wathaurung, Bunurong and Woiworung peoples gathered on the site where it stands, Fed Square is throwing a program-packed, month-long party over October. The celebration will feature food and drink offers, movies on the big screen, giveaways, and world-first exhibitions at NGVA, ACMI and Koorie Heritage Trust.
One of its centrepieces is We Will Slam You With Our Wings, a thought-provoking audio-visual installation. Created by artist Joanna Dudley, the digital artwork will first open on the International Day of the Girl (Tuesday October 11) and be screened in Fed Square all month.
The installation urges viewers to reflect on the symbolism inherent in 19th-century depictions of men in positions of power, using six girls who seemingly take their places in elaborate scenes of leaders and fighters. Featuring young women aged 8 to 16 in stances of power and Dudley herself depicted as the war mistress and chief – all to a grandiose soundtrack of opera – the artwork is a hearty encouragement to girls to reclaim their voices and their autonomy as a force to be reckoned with.
Dudley, who originates from Adelaide, is an internationally renowned performance and installation artist, known for her cutting-edge collaborations with art superstar William Kentridge and composer Philip Miller. Her work has been shown at the Berlin Martin Gropius Bau, the Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall, the Metropolitan Opera New York, and the English National Opera.
You’ll get the chance to enjoy this free exhibition alongside a whole range of celebrations and experiences on offer, including local garage bands performing live on the main stage, a digital exhibition of newly-commissioned NFT artworks, and 20 days of giveaways with winners announced each day. You’ll also be able to catch the world premiere of Mia Salsjö’s new orchestral work, A Score for Fed Square, and immerse yourself in A Rainbow of Tomorrows, a multidisciplinary Blak queer futurism art exhibition at the Koorie Heritage Trust.
We Will Slam You With Our Wings will be running in the Atrium from October 11 to October 31, with 20-minute screenings at 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. Alternatively you can scan the QR code and listen to the immersive soundscape on your own device every half hour from 11am to 10pm.