elcome aboard Argo Pacifico...Argo Pacifico is not an exhibition. It is a real-life cruise ship that has been temporally and spatially phased into the walls of The Lock-Up. We are just shadows, granted a fleeting look at a hyper-slowed moment aboard Argo Pacifico as it enters an electric fog on the threshold of the Bermuda Triangle. 

Its rooms and halls, seemingly empty, hold the stories of the passengers it last breathed before being caught between mysterious points, flung through the endless passing of one moment. 

The captain is missing, and strange sightings in the night air have been whispered about, but that is easy to ignore when the ship boasts such luxury and first-class entertainment. 

Enjoy your stay aboard Dear Shadow. Flicker and linger in the halls, dance into the corners and cling to the beams...

WTHE LOOKING

UP ROOM

THE BUFFET ROOM

THE EMBARKATIONSTATION

POOP DECK

POOP DECK

THE GOLD ROOM

THE SPOOFYROOM

THE WARNING ROOM

THE MERMAIDOBSERVATION DECK

THE MOUNTAIN OF ORIGIN ROOM

THE HAPPY ROOM

THE FOUNTAIN DECK

THE ART GALLERY

THE CAPTAIN’S ROOM

DREAMS AFLOAT

THELOCKUP.ORG.AU | 90 HUNTER ST NEWCASTLE

ARGO PACIFICOJEN DENZIN & OLIVER HARLAN

8 DECEMBER 2018 – 27 JANUARY 2019

The Lock-Up is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW and Crown Lands

This project is supported by Create NSW’s Audience Development Fund, a devolved funding program administered by Museums & Galleries of NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.

The Creative Team behind Argo Pacifico would like to extend their sincerest thanks to all contributing artists who have lent their talent to make Argo Pacifico float…

Joanne Back, Sally Bourke, Jesse Brenneman, Ross Brown, Madeleine Cruise, Maisie Denzin, Tim Evans, Lucas Grogan, Nicola Hensel, Maggie Hensel-Brown, Paris Hensel-Turier, Lenard, Chelsea Leigh, Maree Lowes, Jade Miller, Caitlin O’Reilly, Makkaillah Ridgeway, Mandy Robinson, Michael Strazzari, Clint Topic, John Turier, Jo Waller, Waratah HUB Preschool artists and a massive thank you to Pip Passfield from Newcastle Florist for her incredibly generous donation of faux tropical flowers!!

ARGO PACIFICO KIDS’ CLUB

8 DECEMBER 2018 – 27 JANUARY 2019

THURSDAY 10 JANUARY

HAKUNA PINTARA WORKSHOP (3–7 YEARS) 10AM–12PM

Make a vibrant underwater sea creature pintara, like a cowboy squid or a puffer fish using a paper bag, coloured paper cardboard, shiny tassels and other cool decorations.

All materials supplied.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

NAUTICAL SKILLS – CODE BREAKERS CLUB (8–12 YEARS) 1PM–3PM

In this workshop you will learn a shipping language, crack a code and write your name in maritime flags.

All materials supplied.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

FRIDAY 11 JANUARY

BEGINNERS UKULELE WORKSHOP (8–10 YEARS) 10AM–11AM

Learn how to play the instrument of the South Pacific! In this workshop you will become familiar with some basic chords, the fundamentals of strumming and a couple of sweet tunes.

Ukulele provided.

$5 per child. Bookings essential.

MAKE A SHORT FILM ON YOUR PHONE (10–13 YEARS) 1PM–3PM

Find out how to make a crazy short film on the humble smart phone. Learn different filmic techniques, how to design crazy cardboard sets and become expert in DIY special effects. Create your own lead character from scratch to star in this mini blockbuster.

BYO smart phone.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

SATURDAY 12 JANUARY

SEA SLUG WALL PLATE: COLLAGE WORKSHOP (3–7 YEARS) 10AM–12PM

Nudibranchs (new-dih-bronks) are the cutest little sea slugs. They are noted for their extraordinary colours and striking forms, and they have been given colourful nicknames to match, such as “clown”, “marigold”, “splendid”, “dancer” and “dragon”. In this workshop you will get to know some underwater friends and make our own nudibranch wall plate using bright tactile decorations, cardboard, paint, coloured tape and stickers.

All materials supplied.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

TOWEL ORIGAMI ZOO: SOFT SCULPTURE WORKSHOP (8–12 YEARS) 1PM–3PM

Continue the tradition of making whacky towel origami animals on our fun ship cruise! Turn ordinary face washers and hand towels into a selection of cute animals such as bunnies, penguins, lobsters and monkeys.

All materials supplied.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

SUNDAY 13 JANUARY

BEGINNERS DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS WORKSHOPS (15+ YEARS) 4PM–7PM

Let your Argo fantasies run wild and learn the basics of this imaginary, role playing game. Rule systems, storytelling and character development will be covered before an actual D&D battle takes place.

$10 per person. Bookings essential.

THURSDAY 17 JANUARY

CHANDELIERS ON THE HIGH SEAS (5–12 YEARS) 10AM–12PM

Learn how to make beautiful tinkly, sparkly, summery chandeliers using everyday objects like drinking straws, ice-cream container lids, plastic kitchenware and shiny packaging.

All materials supplied.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

THE PRETTY AMAZING JONO (4+ YEARS) 1PM–3PM

Join the Pretty Amazing Jono, the most ridiculous magical stunt clown aboard the Argo Pacifico! Be amazed as he performs unicycling, stilt walking and crazy, insane magic tricks right before your very eyes. Afterwards join Jono as he shows you how to create your own magic tricks, including making underwater creature balloon sculptures.

All materials supplied.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

FRIDAY 18 JANUARY

DEEP SEA DANCING (5–7 YEARS) 10AM–11.30AM

Jump on Argo Pacifico for a movement workshop that speaks the language of the sea. Dance the movements of water, the sun and sand. With Catapult Dance.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

DEEP SEA DANCING (8–12 YEARS) 1PM–3PM

Develop your own unique movements to sun, sea and song. Jump aboard for a movement workshop with Catapult Dance and be transported to a dancing underwater world.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

SATURDAY 19 JANUARY

SEA SLUG WALL PLATE: COLLAGE WORKSHOP (3–7 YEARS) 10AM – 12PM

Nudibranchs (new-dih-bronks) the cutest little sea slugs. They are noted for their extraordinary colours and striking forms, and they have been given colourful nicknames to match, such as “clown”, “marigold”, “splendid”, “dancer” and “dragon”. In this workshop we will get to know some underwater friends and make our own nudibranch wall plate using bright tactile decorations, cardboard, paint, coloured tape and stickers.

All materials supplied.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

TOWEL ORIGAMI ZOO: SOFT SCULPTURE WORKSHOP (8–12 YEARS) 1PM–3PM

Continue the tradition of making whacky towel origami animals on our fun ship cruise! Turn ordinary face washers and hand towels into a selection of cute animals such as bunnies, penguins, lobsters and monkeys.

All materials supplied.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

THURSDAY 24 JANUARY

SEA SLUG WALL PLATE: COLLAGE WORKSHOP (3–7 YEARS) 10AM–12PM

Nudibranchs (new-dih-bronks) are the cutest little sea slugs. They are noted for their extraordinary colours and striking forms, and they have been given colourful nicknames to match, such as “clown”, “marigold”, “splendid”, “dancer” and “dragon”. In this workshop we will get to know some underwater friends and make our own nudibranch wall plate using bright tactile decorations, cardboard, paint, coloured tape and stickers.

All materials supplied.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

While the adults enjoy the extreme indulgences that the Argo Pacifico cruise has to offer, kids can be shipped off to the Argo Pacifico Kids’ Club for non-stop summer entertainment.

SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER

CHANDELIERS ON THE HIGH SEAS (5–12 YEARS) 10AM–12PM

Learn how to make beautiful tinkly, sparkly, summery chandeliers using everyday objects like ice-cream container lids, plastic kitchenware and shiny packaging.

All materials supplied.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

SUNDAY 23 DECEMBER

BEGINNERS UKULELE WORKSHOP (8–10 YEARS) 1PM–2PM

Learn how to play this instrument of the South Pacific! In this workshop you will become familiar with some basic chords, the fundamentals of strumming and a couple of sweet tunes.

Ukulele provided.

$5 per child. Bookings essential.

BEGINNERS DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS WORKSHOPS (15+ YEARS) 4PM– 8PM

Let your Argo fantasies run wild and learn the basics of this imaginary role-playing game. Rule systems, storytelling and character development will be covered before an actual D&D battle takes place.

$10 per person. Bookings essential.

FOR BOOKINGS GO TO: www.thelockup.org.au/whats-on/kids-club

BINGO WITH THE CAPTAIN (8–12 YEARS) 1PM–3PM

Join the Captain of the Argo Pacifico in a game of bingo! Get ready to play some crazy-exciting, hoot-and-holler-if-you-win-big bingo!

FRIDAY 25 JANUARY

DEEP SEA DANCE (5–7 YEARS) 10AM–12PM

Jump on Argo Pacifico for a movement workshop that speaks the language of the sea. Dance the movements of water, the sun and sand. With Catapult Dance.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

UKLELE WORKSHOP (10–12 YEARS) 1PM – 2PM

Learn how to play this instrument of the South Pacific! In this workshop you will become familiar with some basic chords, the fundamentals of strumming and a couple of sweet tunes.

Ukulele provided.

$5 per child. Bookings essential.

SATURDAY 26 JANUARY

CHANDELIERS ON THE HIGH SEAS (5–12 YEARS) 10AM–12PM

Learn how to make beautiful tinkly, sparkly, summery chandeliers using everyday objects like drinking straws, ice-cream container lids, plastic kitchenware and shiny packaging.

All materials supplied.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

THE PRETTY AMAZING JONO (4+ YEARS) 1PM–3PM

Join the Pretty Amazing Jono, the most ridiculous magical stunt clown aboard the Argo Pacifico! Be amazed as he performs unicycling, stilt walking and crazy, insane magic tricks right before your very eyes! Afterwards join Jono as he shows you how to create your own magic tricks including making underwater creature balloon sculptures.

All materials supplied.

$10 per child. Bookings essential.

ABOUT JEN DENZIN

Jen Denzin uses commonplace materials such as plastic buckets, drinking straws, cable ties and tacky mementos to construct gaudy assemblages and vibrant environments. Her work is informed by historical meeting points and the interplay between people-groups and cultures specifically in the Asia-Pacific region. 

Denzin has exhibited regularly in Newcastle over the past decade and has curated projects at Newcastle University, TAFE’s Frontroom Gallery and the M-Arts Precinct in Murwillumbah. From 2010–2012 she was co-director of Newcastle’s PODspace Gallery.

ABOUT OLIVER HARLAN

Oliver Harlan is a multidisciplinary artist and filmmaker whose work is concerned primarily with expressing the small, subtle and intricate moments of human connection. Harlan’s practice has become increasingly performative, his main output consisting of a daily practice using social media, where he uploads a video every day that adds to an ever-evolving, childlike character, who dances in parking lots, plays the recorder badly and talks to his stuffed cat.

Harlan attended Sarah Lawrence College in New York where he studied film production and modern art history. Having worked in the professional film industry for many years, Harlan’s creative practices also employs seemingly large budget filmic techniques and editing practices into the very humble and mundane space of cardboard sets, iPhone footage and backyard special effects.