MAV folioJune – July 2005

m u l t i c u l t u r a l a r t s v i c t o r i a g u i d e t o t h e a r t s

m u s i c d a n c e t h e a t r e v i s u a l a r t s f i l m n e w m e d i a

Naree Vachananda – Page 4

Inside:

P.2 Editorial

P.3 Music – Ileana Posas –Deli Divas - Whats On

P. 4 - 5 Dance & Theatre– Gerard Veltre – NareeVachananda Opposite MyHouse Is a Funeral Parlour –

The Light in the Shadow –

Saloni M Shades of Love –

What’s On

P.6 Word – Khalid al-Hilli – In Other Words – What’s On

P.7 Visual Arts– Marcello D'Amico

– Nusra Latif Qureshi – What’s On

P.8 Refugee & Asylum SeekersFestival 2005

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Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) strongly supports the work ofprofessional independent artists.

MAV works in partnership with our talented MAV artists to encouragevitality in the arts industry at a local, national and international level.

Naomi Ota is one of MAV's successful, innovative and accomplishedvisual artists working in the area of textiles and is soon to present herwork internationally in Belgium. Naomi Ota successfully receivedfunding from Arts Victoria's International program "Export and Touring"program to participate in the 5th Triennial International Textile ArtsExhibition in Tournai, Belgium June 4- September 11, 2005. She hasbeen invited to exhibit her work in the contemporary arts category.

Naomi will also be giving an artist's talk following the opening. Sincethe first exhibition in 1990, the Triennial has been highly regarded asone of the most important event in the textile scene. To date, thisexhibition is the only long-running textile event in Europe. It is also oneof the largest official cultural events in Belgium. The exhibition will runall through the summer in 2005.

Tony Yap has also been very successful both nationally andinternationally. Tony recently received funding from Arts Victoria fromthe International Program for a unique Dance Collaboration betweenMalaysian and Australian Artists for 2005 in Kuala Lumpur to culminatein June at the Malaysian Dance Festival with 'The Light in the Shadow'.Australian artists collaborating and working with Tony are MadeleineFlynn & Tim Humphrey, Ben Rogan and Simon Ellis. The Malaysiancompany is RiverGrass Dance Theatre formed by Mew Chang Tsing in1996. RiverGrass Dance Theatre is a vigorous and progressive dancecompany which ventures to the roots of cultures to seek itscontributions to contemporary Asian arts.

In Nov & Dec Tony will collaborate on another creative development fora site specific presentation, Ether with Naomi Ota, Ria Soemardjo,Madeleine Flynn & Tim Humphrey. This development is for theAccented Bodies program which will be held out doors in the BrisbaneArts Festival in July 2006. July-1 week (and 2 weeks in November)

Tony will also be involved in a mentorship program (Choose YourPartner, by Ozco) in Alice Springs working with Red Shoes Companyand Emily Cox running workshops and mentoring performance makingin the theme of The Body and the Environment. In August he will berepresenting Australia in Seoul, Korea at the Little Asia Arts NetworkExchange, creators Workshop along with 12 participants from Korea,Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.

MAV is also working closely with Australian- Turkish musician MuratYucel to tour his band Unified Geko internationally to his originalhomeland of Turkey, with the view to establish a vibrant culturalexchange between musicians and arts product from Australia andTurkey. Murat Yucel is an accomplished musician himself and is thecreator of Unified Gecko, a group of very talented Australian musiciansfrom various cultural backgrounds including Australian, Turkish,Maltese, Samoan, Italian, Dutch & Sri Lankan. They are accomplishedmusicians with a unique sound and style of world music. Their amazingmusicianship has gained them audiences throughout the musiccommunity in Melbourne, Australia, where they are now based.

Long standing Board member Marcello D'Amico (featured visual artist)will be travelling to Canada in June. Marcello will be teaching lifedrawing and will be giving lectures at the Ottawa School of Art.Marcello will also hold two solo exhibitions of his drawings, one at theSchool's Gallery and the other to be determined. An exciting initiative

that MAV is keen to pursue, along with Marcello, is the possibility of acultural exchange with Canada. Marcello will be holding furtherdiscussions with Jeff Stellick, Director of Ottawa School of Art,regarding a cultural exchange between Canada and Australia whichwould include Indigenous as well as multicultural artists.

Marcello will then fly to Italy to attend as an official delegate the 3rdInternational Conference on Immigration at the Immigration Museum inMalfa (Island of Salina- Sicily). The conference will be held on fiveconsecutive days and this year's theme is: Aeolian Immigration toAustralia and the 80th Anniversary of the Foundation of the Societa'Isole Eolie in Melbourne. He will be officially representing MulticulturalArts Victoria and speak on the History of the Societa'. In Malfa Marcellowill exhibiting his latest drawings during the Conference.

Recently we had the very accomplished musician Tony Haynes fromLondon creating a unique Grand Union Orchestra in Victoria with someof Melbourne's most skilled musicians. It was a huge success and thecapacity audience enjoyed the musical journey Dancing in the Flamestook everybody on. Multicultural Arts Victoria is consistently exploringnew opportunities and assisting artists working internationally as wellas locally and would like to congratulate all our artists on theirextraordinary work and Kape Communications, Arts Vic and City ofStonnington for their vision.

At our recent AGM which was well attended by members andsupporters of MAV, our Chair Stefan Romaniw and I gave an over viewof the past and future programs and reported on the continuedsuccessful development of the organization. The Board is nowimplementing the organizations Strategic Plan which has focused onimproving MAV's position in Victoria's and in some cases Australia'sfield of the Arts both nationally and internationally and at the same timeensuring that the needs of grass root membership is accommodatedand enhanced.

We have a quality product which is demonstrated by the above activityand through the up coming MAV events - Opposite My House is aFuneral Parlour, The Refugee and Asylum Seekers Festival, Visible -Refugee mentorship pilot program, World Poetry Festival, Saloni M-Shades of Love and ABC Radio National concert Deli Divas. Theseevents are not to be missed and showcase the breadth and depth ofmulticultural arts in Victoria. MAV will also host a funding session withthe Melbourne City Council arts and culture department at the TradesHall in Carlton on May 31st. We encourage MAV artists andcommunities to attend this session to ensure the cultural activity inMelbourne reflects the diversity of Melbourne.

I would personally like to thank former MAV Board members JohnBoglis, Hakan Akyol & John Vanderleest who have contributedenormously to the organization and to congratulate and thank thecurrent/newly appointed Board for their generous support in thedevelopment of multicultural arts in Victoria- Stefan Romaniw, RuthRentschler, Natalia Moravski, Elizabeth Presa, Roger Ouk, PeterThomas, Ruth Komesaroff, Anne Tyedin, Marcello D'Amico, JeanKereopa and Jeya Ponnuthurai. Also thanks to our newly formed youngprofessional sub-committee members - Emily Chew, Rohan Kumar &Mele-Ane Havea.

As you can see MAV continues to play a pivotal role in the arts inVictoria as well as nationally and internationally.

Jill Morgan Executive Officer

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The Lght in the Shadow – Malaysia Dance Festival

editorial

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Ileana PosasSinger Composer ArrangerIleana Posas was born into a musical family in El Salvador. Both her parentsare singers. Living in Australia surrounded by so many cultures has given herthe opportunity to work and interact with musicians from many differentracial and cultural backgrounds. This has greatly influenced Ileana as amusician, giving her a new sound and changing the way she writes andsings. As a part of the new Multicultural Australia, she considers herself notonly as an Australian born in El Salvador, but it has given her aconsciousness that at the end of the day, we are all citizens of this world andmusic has no boundaries. She desires to bridge the gap between LatinAmerican and Australian music through her songs. Recording her work isnow an important goal she wishes to achieve.

In July 2004, Ileana recorded four of her songs at the ABC studios inMelbourne. These four tracks were then broadcast on Radio National's'Music Deli' in August. Ileana couldn't believe that her songs were heard forthe first time around Australia. Ileana will perform live for Music Deli in July.

“I've started to dream again. I am exited about my songs and Australia nowfeels like home. I have written songs all my life but this is the first time I amcomfortable calling myself a songwriter. We all have a story to tell, mine willbe told through my music. For now, I suppose, I'll just keep on writing…”

Deli DivasContinuing the exciting collaboration between ABC Radio National's MusicDeli program and MAV, Deli Divas will showcase some of Melbourne'sincredible singers across diverse cultures. This all-acoustic concert will berecorded for broadcast on Music Deli, and provides a rare opportunity foraudiences to hear the outstanding quality of singers and materialdeveloping in Australia today.

Kavisha Mazzella and Irini Vela blend their voices and their Greek, Italian,Burmese, Scottish and Irish heritages to produce a unique andspellbinding sound. Ileana Posas (profiled above) brings a richness of lifeand musical experience to her jazz stylings, creating vibrant and soulfuloriginal music. Ria Soemardjo also has a distinctive vocal style, informedby her father's Javanese Indonesian heritage, and her active interest inthe music of many other cultures. Her improvisations are also a vitalelement to her music. Dang Kim Hien, composer, performer and educator,has performed and recorded traditional Vietnamese and original crosscultural music for decades around the world. She is a master performerof the Vietnamese zither as well as recipient of the National Award forPerformance of Traditional Vietnamese Vocal Music in Vietnam. NadiaElbana was actively working in cultural organisations in Sudan beforecoming to Australia. Her beautiful folk singing highlights the musicaltraditions of this emerging community in Australia.

Book early to hear these outstanding and inspiring Australian-based divasperforming in the optimum of acoustic conditions.Fri 29 July 7:30pm, presale $15/$12 members , door $20/$18 membersIwaki Auditorium, ABC Southbank Centre, Southbank Blvd, SouthbankBookings & Enquiries: MAV (03) 9417 6777

What's onRefugee & Asylum Seekers' Festival ConcertSunday 19 June, 1pm - 6pm. Fitzroy Town Hall, 201 Napier St, FitzroyThis is the main event of the three day festival, showcasing traditional andcontemporary music & dance performances from Melbourne's Horn ofAfrica communities, including Nadia Elbana, Sudan Azza, Astefari withNicky Bomba, Dereb Desalegn and Lion of Judah, King Bell with SouthSudan Musica, Sudanese Catholic Choir with Valanga Khoza, and Soukousba Congo. Enquiries contact MAV on (03) 9417 6777

Third World from Jamaica - 1st Australian tour + Lucky DubeAfrica's finest reggae star double headline concert Wed 8June, ThePrince of Wales, 29 Fitzroy St, St.Kilda with Chant Down Sound & Uptightfrom 7.30pm tix $52.80 + bf info line 9536 1166 Bookings : ticketek132 849 www.ticketek.com or the prince 9536 1168

World Rhythms @ Brunswick Town Hall Sun 5 June, 4pm-8pm.Featuring David Bridie with band, BabaGanoush, Borboleta, belly-dancingand more, this family-friendly, alcohol-free event will be a celebration ofmusic from around the world. All proceeds go to the Asylum SeekerResource Centre. Tix $20 /$15 conc /$40 families ph 9890 4203, emailworldrhythms@bigblue.net.au.

Weekend Workshop - In Jazz & Gypsy Swing and Brazilian Guitarwith Doug de VriesSat 11 June 2005, 11am-5.30 pm and Sun 12 June 2005, 1pm-5pm Topics covered include:Jazz guitar and improvisation, Gypsy Swing, Choroand Samba, Bossa Nova, Solo Guitar, Brazilian Ensemble, AccompanyingVoice, Brazilian Music History & ComposersFor more information phone: (03) 9592 8892

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MESA REDONDA | Brazilian Choro - Sat 11 June at 8.30pmCZECH HOUSE 497 Queensberry Street, North MelbourneChoral and instrumental music inspires by Tango and Brazilian songs.Doug De Vries is joined by some excellent local musicians - JaimieSmith-guitar & cavaquinho.; Ken Murray-guitar & mandolin; Denis Close-pandeiro; Adrian Sherrif- flute & trombone.Bookings via telephone: 0425835705 or 0403947836 or emailenquiries@sorelli.com.au Tickets: $18/16

Voyages & Journeys directed by Matthew Fagan scheduled forperformances on 4 & 5 June 2005 has been postponed. New dates willbe announced shortly.

What’s OnThe annual Winter Drum and Dance Retreat - 11/12/13 JuneSpecial guest Tuza from Ghanaian touring group and Wala is co-teaching.For more info check out www.africandrumming.com.au or call0416053619.

Love to Sing???You are invited to join the new season of the CXP 'JOY' Choir singingsongs of Life, Hope & Things That Matter from South & South East Africadirected by the effervescent Carlos Panguana. Choir sessions commence1June - 20 July held on Wed nights 7.30 - 9.30pm at 56 Dorrit StCarlton. Celebration Concert to be held on July 22nd. Tix: $80/$60 conc.for full season or $15/$10 conc. casual rate.All welcome, no experience required. BYO energy!! Enquiries & Registration ph: 03 9347 4425 or e: cxp@optusnet.com.au More info at www.carlospanguana.com.au

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Workshops

Two Workshops with G Hoffman Soto – JUNE 2005

“All our life experiences and stories live and are held in the body, in the softtissue of the body. Our personal history shapes the body … and determineshow we feel, move, think and act. Having a strong physical practice keeps usanchored in our feelings and experience of the body.” (Soto, 2004)Soto is a master teacher at the Tamalpa Institute in San Francisco, USA. Hispractice include a wide variety of dance and movement art forms.In these workshops, Soto will use somatics, movement, drawing, voice and thespoken word to guide us towards greater awareness, expression and creativitythrough individual and group exploration and improvisation.When: June17-19 & June 24-26Fri to Sun, 10am – 5pm each dayFor background on Soto’s work: www.sotomotion.comFor information: Phone: Viv on (03) 9531 3125 or Phil on (03) 9499 8678

Theatre

Gerard VeltreOver the last five years Gerard Veltre has emerged as a dance choreographerand theatre Director. His recent professional work has grown out of his grassroots links within communities. LAYERS was a hip hop dance theatre show thattoured schools in Melbourne's western suburbs and a well known MelbourneNightclub in Prahran (Revolver) and finished with a performance season at theVictorian Arts Centre as part of the 2001 Arts Education program. Object! was adance piece he created in Melbourne in 2001 as part of an emergingchoreographers' grant from the Australia Council. In recent years Veltre has beeninvited by local community artists, companies and organisations to different partsof Australia where he has facilitated the creation of dance groups. One suchexample was Rivers of the Underground, a major dance work by TRACKS inc. adance company based in Darwin that merges professional artists and communityparticipants. Veltre was invited to Darwin by the company to: dance in theperformance; facilitate the creation of a young male dance group; andchoreograph sections of the show.

In conjunction with major performing arts centres Veltre has initiated large-scalecommunity dance/theatre projects that target young people and work with youthat risk. These projects required months of outreach work: Underworld at theGeelong Courthouse theatre; and At All Costs a project with the FootscrayCommunity Arts Centre. Part of Veltre's Community Cultural Developmenttraining involved visiting Thailand as an Australian Youth Ambassador where hespent 4 months with Makhampom a Community Dance/Theatre Company wherehe directed/choreographed “Chua Fa Din Sali” or Till the end of time. Otherimportant travel experiences include attending the Pacific Arts Festival in NewCaledonia and teaching guest dance workshops with “One Small Bag” acommunity theatre and education NGO in Vanuatu. These experiences haveadded to the diverse cultural influences that inform his work. Veltre has workedas a guest choreographer for Circus Oz (2002); the Choreographic Centre inCanberra (2002); and Somebody's Daughter theatre company (a group thatworks with women who have had varying associations with the prison system.)Veltre's dance and theatre style is all about empowerment and is ideally suitedto both a community and professional setting. Early in 2003 Veltre returned fromGermany where he had been observing Tanztheatre and Pina Bausch as part ofan emerging CCD workers grant from the Australia Council. In 2003 hechoreographed “Remember me…” premiering at Paramatta Riverside theatres inSeptember 2003. In 2004 Veltre wrote and directed “Love Drunk” a TIE (TheatreIn Education) performance about sexual assault that is currently touring schoolsacross Victoria. Remember Me will tour as part of kultour later this year.

Opposite My House Is a Funeral Parlourcontemporary dance by Naree Vachananda

9 Jun –12 June Thurs –Frid 8pm, Sat 4.30pm + 8pm. Sun 6pmfortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane Melb.Book: 03 9662 9966 Tix: $20/15 preview $10

Bangkok born Collingwood based Naree Vachananda, has created a transcendentsolo multi-media choreography all about death. Her sister works in Manhattan;on 9/11 she watched from her office window as the twin towers fell. Speaking onthe phone that morning Vachananda wondered “What if I lost my sister”? Sheinvestigated the death manuals of different people. Her show contrasts Westerndeath paranoia with Buddhist cycles of life.

While developing the work Vachananda did live opposite a derelict funeral parlourin Fitzroy. A real estate sign in front shouted: “Revive the corpse”. In fact nextdoor to her in the old warehouse they made the coffins and where Vachanandalived was one of a row of coffin-maker’s digs – death row?

Darwin composer Edward Kelly who develops legible recorded text intodevastating wallpaper tone and Yeap Heng Shen from Malaysia who rendersBrunswick street crowds shot in time-lapse into ghosted impressionism challengeVachananda’s haunted choreography.

The show premieres 9June at fortyfivedownstairs.

For further details, please call Matt Crosby on 0403 751 282 and visit:http://www.multiculturalarts.com.au/artists/dance/naree/naree.html

Dance &

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What’s On

Sanctuary A day of Gifts . . . . . . .Music for the Imagination - Sound Healing - Ecstatic Dances - Devotional Sufi Music– The Words of RumiThe workshops > Sound healing, Music and Imagery - Ngame Grezesik10am - 12.30pm, $30/$25($70 inc Trance workshop and Concert)Music for the Imagination, Sanctuary for the soul, Explore Sound Healing techniques.The Music & Imagery experience involves listening to specifically programmedclassical music in a relaxed state, which allows visual imagery, feelings, memoriesand bodily responses evoked by the music to come to awareness. Bring: Cushion &blanket, pen and paper.> Zaar, Whirling & Trance – Maria Sangiorgi1.30pm - 4.30pm, $40/$35($70 inc Sound Healing workshop and Conert)The Egyptian Zaar, and Turkish Sufi Whirling are both ecstatic dances. You will beguided though the basic principles of whirling and the source of movement of theZaar. Prepare yourself by eating little, light food or fasting before hand. Bring water.This workshop will be accompanied by live music.

The Concert6 – 7.30 pm, $12/10Devotional Sufi music by Yalla! and Special guests.Sacred music, song and dance and the Words of Rumi - " Sufi music means anymusic that connects with the heart. It is the music of submission and surrender thatbonds humans to God and transcends all religious boundaries".Northcote Uniting Church 251 High St Northcote Workshop Booking essential Ph Maria on 9489 8446or Ngame 9532 9211Or if booking for the whole day, book on line http://www.dancingisis.com

The Light in the ShadowA Dance/Installation Collaboration between Malaysian(Rivergrass Dance Theatre) and Australian (“-” ButohCompany) Artists to be premiered at MyDance Festival, KualaLumpur International Performing Arts Centre, July 2005

The Light in the Shadow is a dance installation inspired bythe greater and lesser signs of decay of the angel asdescribed in the Abhidharma-mahãvibhãsã-sãstra. Themetaphoric meanings are translated into movements and andesigned architectural landscape.This is contemporary idea of “decay” and the “angel” outsidethe structures of religion and specific cultures. The Light inthe Shadow will be a journey of how we see dying and theideals of dying. This poetic dance installation constructs adisplay of light and shadows.

The dance is drawn from Butoh and contemporary westernstyles co-choreographed and directed by Mew Chang Tsingand Tony Yap. This collaboration brings dancers/performersand musicians from Australia and Malaysia into an exchangeof skills and ideas to create a performance that challengesboundaries of the present dance practice.

This production is supported by Arts Victoria, The AustralianHigh Commission in Kuala Lumpur, Multicultural Arts Victoriaand the Malaysian Dance Festival, Kuala Lumpur.

Saloni M presents The Shades of LoveLove, eros, agape, amour … has been carried with the suitcases of theirancestors, it has been sung by their grandmothers, it seeps in their blood andfinds itself in their embrace of passionate words. Greeks, Turks, Cypriots, Kurds -have been traditionally at war with each other. Before war though they wereneighbours and friends, some were lovers - they were the various shades of love.

Saloni M, is a dynamic group of Australian artists, connected to the Mediterraneanor the Middle-east through heritage, politics or history. They collaborate acrosstheir art forms to explore, honour and celebrate this connection and the concept ofcultural diversity.

Shades of Love is a unique performance featuring writers, poets, musicians,singers, dancers and comedians from diverse cultural backgrounds, accompaniedby a visual art exhibition and a Mediterranean 'banquet'. Inspired by theConstantine Cavafy (1920) poem, To Call up the Shades, the artists will pay tributeto love and its various shades by fusing English and other languages to create achoral mix of poetry, light and sound enriched by dance and comedy.

10 Poets in Eros, will perform their poetry in a soundscape using their diverselanguages including Arabic, Hebrew, Turkish, Greek and Italian as well as English.The Kurdish Dance Group will perform a traditional dance accompanied by somepoetry of freedom fighters and the passionate voice of Anthea Sidiropoulos.VARDOS, a trio of violin, accordion and double bass, will serenade the room. Theevent will be hosted by comedians Monica Dullard and The Signoras (Carmelina DiGuglielmo and Edwina Entwistle).

In Shades of Love, contributing writers and poets are: Ali Alizadeh, Hidayet Ceylan,Angela Costi, Kalid al-Hilli, Jeltje, Lee Kofman, Melissa Petrakis, Tosn Reshid,Helena Spyrou, and Dimitri Troaditis. Joined by visual artists Connie Mitropoulos,Juan Sanz, Liam Thomas, and Chris Winer. Music by Dursan Acar, Dursun Akbas,Nure Dgaury, Ernie Gruner, David Holberton, Bayram Kusman, Anthea Sidiropoulos,VARDOS, and ZAZIZ. Dance by Sarah Derum, Natalea Iskra, and The Kurdish DanceGroup. Comedy by Monica Dullard, Carmelina Di Guglielmo and Edwina Entwistle.

North Melbourne Town Hall, 18 June, 8pm, Tickets can be purchased at the dooror by calling 9417 6777. Further information is available from:http://www.innersense.com.au/salonim/index.html Auspiced by MAV, sponsored byCity of Melbourne and Arts Victoria.

1These doors cannot shut out the wind…My heart is rainMy paths are treesThe scarfs are dustThere is fire beyond this dark tunnelThe windows, planted by the sun alongside the doors,come to me drizzle and waitingI was hung between the hand of death and the moment,I became the orbit.Oh vastness! Take metowards my faceSubmerge mein the details lost in forgetfulness.Inside the pit of my yearsmy lip has become a shipmy blood has become oceansmy first dream is gypsymy mouth is madmy head turns with the clockburied by the fire of questions.As much as I am ignorant of how long my blood kept flying with abandoned miraclesand how I manipulated my closed life,I am tonight ignorant of my self.2My face ascends when my homeland sinks in itand the ships disappearAmong the whispers of the wind to the wind, I saw the roadsgiving two sides to the game:paths for lifeand paths for death

3Should the face return to the mirror, the forest of fear shall cryand the door of darkness shall return to the fingerThey have drawn eyes in the face and life in the heartOn the wall, they had left a notion of hope thatslept in my eyes for a while then diedI returned to the mirror paralysedmy face is its demiseand my longing is its faceWhen my voice felt this loneliness,it left this life and flew away4A word dropped by the night in my wayrolled me towards rivers of tarWhen I was there, I sadly washed my self with the sand at the berths on the banksand I shrouded myself with a week-long of daysthat became my memoryhaunted by forgetfulness so that I regained my waythen today I return begging my present life5I am mere numbers in the room of riddlesSymbols of multiplication and divisionsdoubling, reducing, subtracting, summingAs I add up the years of life in my mindI become the paperburied under millions of papersThe iris died under my eyelids.

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Khalid al-HilliKhalid al-Hilli was born in Hillah, in Iraq, in 1945. He started publishingpoems and articles in leading Arabic magazines, such as Al-Adeeb and Al-Thaqafa in 1962. He worked for several Iraqi newspapers and magazinesbefore he eventually left Iraq in 1979. He worked as a correspondent for theQatari Ar-Raya newspaper, whilst he was in the United Arab Emirates between1979 and 1982, and continued this task when he lived in Morocco between1982 and 1988. In Morocco, he also worked as a cultural editor for Al-Mithaqal-Watan newspaper.He moved to Australia in 1989, working for a period as a correspondent to Al-Yaum, a Saudi newspaper. Since then, he has continued to write for Arabicnewspapers in Australia and overseas. In the past few years he has livedbetween London and Melbourne.In 1964, he published a book titled Two Colourless Eyes. It is a collection ofpoems, thoughts and contemplations. In 1988, he published a poetrycollection titled Cloudy Cities.Some of its poems were translated into Englishand published in Kalimat, an international periodical of English and Arabiccreative writing. He is now an advisor for Kalimat.Khalid will be performing his poetry and some classic poetry from Iraq at theSaloni M event on 18 Jun 2005, North Melbourne Town Hall. His poem,below, is translated by Dr. Raghid Nahhas.

In Other Words by World PoetryWorld Poetry was established in Melbourne in 2004 under the auspices ofMulticultural Arts Victoria and works in partnership with the Centre for Ideasat the Victorian College of the Arts. It has also established close links withthe Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages. Its aim is to promotepoetry in translation because, in spite of the much vaunted'multiculturalism' of Australian society, scant attention is being given to non-English language literature, let alone poetry. Why poetry? Because it speaksto the heart and its themes are universal. The primary objective is toestablish a festival that will serve as a showcase and forum and generateliterary engagement and new opportunities among writers, translators,audiences, publishers and readers.

The inaugural weekend festival, In Other Words, will take place in Melbourneon 12, 13, 14 Aug 2005 in the Federation Hall, VCAThe festival's themes are Language, Place and Identity. Australianindigenous poems and songs will be an integral part of this festival whichwill feature readings by poets from, among others, China, Indonesia andItaly. For more info email: jhilbrink@mail2me.com.au

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Marcello D’Amico Nusra Latif

Marcello D'AmicoMarcello D'Amico, accomplished visual and performing artist and a multi-instrumentalist musician was born in Malfa (Sicily) Italy in 1940. Since1958, Marcello's works have been exhibited in various national andinternational exhibitions including National Gallery Drawing Exhibition,Spoleto International Arts Festival, nine exhibitions in Italy and four inOttawa-Canada.

In 2003 he was awarded the Centenary Medal for an outstandingcontribution to Australian society in the figurative and performing arts.

In Ottawa, he shared his knowledge through running life drawing coursesat the Ottawa School of Art in Canada in 2002 and 2004. Following lastyear's success, he will return to teach next July/August, as well asexhibiting his work at the Canada Day Festival. From Canada he will go toItaly where he will have another exhibition and officially represent MAV atthe “3rd International Conference of Aeolian Immigration to Australia” inMalfa (Sicily).

He has also been invited by the Whittlesea City Council to hold a soloretrospective exhibition in the Vic Michael Gallery later this year.

"Marcello does not intend to detract from different representations ofwomen but wishes to have the opportunity for society to see her in all herforms, rather than just a single stereotype. …His appreciation of allwomen, most particularly the older woman is demonstrated through theuse of models varying in ages, yet all of his models remain anonymous.(Alexandra Hocking)" From article of his recent exhibition, “The FemaleNude- A Study in Line” in the City of Banyule.

Intentions of Memory - by Nusra Latif Qureshi

This seventh solo show presents intensely coloured recent paintings as wellas prints that were produced at Self Help Graphics in Los Angeles in 2003.

Qureshi transforms the details of the traditional and historical South Asianpaintings, patterns and colonial photographs into simplifications andabstractions to erase and alter the identities of the images. In her work, thisdefacement becomes a tool to investigate more complex cultural and socialidentities.

She is particularly interested in examining the representation of women inseveral historical schools of painting. She subverts the traditionalinterpretation by making changes in depiction of the male figures. Throughthis representation, parallels are sought between the condition of colonisedlands and the bodies of women.

Slide lecture by Nusra Latif Qureshi - 29 May at 4pm Cost: $5Venue: Axes Art Space, 24 Athelstan Road, Camberwell,Ph: 03 9889 1792 E-mail: axesartspace@yahoo.com

What's onWalert : Possum10 May - 4 June, Tue - Fri: 11am-5pm, Sat: 2-5pmManningham Gallery, 699 Doncaster Road, Doncaster ph: 9840 9367An exhibition of contemporary Indigenous works brought together for thefirst time in recognition of Reconciliation Week 2005 (27 May - 3 Junewww.reconciliation.org.au). Featuring works by renowned artists such asGayle Maddigan, Vicki Couzens, Ngarra Murray, Gail Harradine, LeeDarroch, Kelly Koumalatsos and Darren Bell.Media enquiries contact Jaelle Bajada on 9840 9411

Under The Lotus Leaf - by Bundit Puangthong Opening: Fri 27 May 6-9pm 28 May - 8 June, Tue - Sat: 10am - 5pmArtholes gallery, 114 Gertrude St. Fitzroy Ph: 9419 8727Utilising a range of techniques from stencils to detail brushwork, emerging Thaiartist Bundit has produced a body of work that celebrates and expands the richcross cultural dialogue present in Melbourne's contemporary identity.

A re-Constructed WorldOpening: 6-8pm Thursday 26 May; 27 May - 26 June, Tue - Sun 1 - 6pmLinden, 26 Acland Street, St Kilda The exhibition addresses notions of consumerism, obsolescence and desirethrough the use of lo-fi materials, hands on production techniques and subjectsthat can so readily define our identity. Ph: 9209 6560 Email:info@lindenarts.org

Blackspot - Contemporary Indigenous Photography from Monash UniversityCollection25 Jun, Tue - Fri: 10am - 5pm, Sat: 2 - 5pmMonash University Museum of Art, Ground Floor Building 55 Clayton Campus,Wellington rd, Clayton, Ph: 9905 4217Artists: Destiny Deacon, Fiona Foley, Leah King-Smith, Tracey Moffatt andChristian Bumbarra Thompson.

Fumie-Butterfly Mandala - by Ken Yonetani27 May - 11 June, Wed - Fri: 12 - 6pm, Sat: 12 - 5pmWest Space, 1st Floor, 15-19 Anthony St. Melbourne, ph: 9328 8712The butterfly pictures featured in the mandala form the ghost of the destroyedtiles (2200 tiles featuring Australian endangered butterflies were broken as partof Ken's exhibition held at CSIRO Discovery Canberra in 2003), sacrificed byhuman's impact on nature, and a gateway to the spiritual world.http://homepage.mac.com/yonekensworld/

Atomic: full of love, full of wonder - by Nike Savvas27 May - 24 July, Tue - Sun 11am - 6pmACCA, 111 Sturt st Southbank, ph: 9697 9999 www.accaonline.org.auFor Savas, who is known internationally for her massive, immersive light andobject installations will reference an Australian desert landscape, with thereverberation of the balls simulating a heat wave.

16th Tamworth Fibre Textile Biennial25 June, Mon - Fri: 11am - 5pm, Sat: 2 - 5pmRMIT Gallery, 344 Swanston St Melbourne ph: 9925 1717The Biennial is recognised nationally as Australia's pre-eminent textileexhibition.

Sidewalk African & Tribal Art Gallery Annual Show25 May - 12 June, Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm, Sat & Sun: 1-5pmGlen Eira City Council Gallery, Corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, CaulfieldThe only Melbourne exhibition by the respected Hobart-based collector AnnPorteous.

Cerita Dalam Kain: Speaking with Cloth 28 Aug, 10am -5pm daily, Ph. 03 9927 2700Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, MelbourneView a slice of Indonesian life through an extensive display of rare textiles datingfrom the late 18th century to the 20th century.

MAV folioPage8

Folio Editorial TeamEditor-in-Chief Jill MorganSub-EditorsMusic Jill MorganDance Tony YapVisual Arts Naomi OtaWord Angela Costi

Multicultural Arts Victoria StaffExecutive Officer Jill MorganFinance Officer Anna LuzzaAdmin Officer Elda Koro/Miriam AbudProject Officer Anita Larkinkultour SW/C Jane Carew-Reid

Graphic Design Tony Yap

Multicultural Arts VictoriaFitzroy Town Hall201 Napier St FitzroyPO Box 2179 Fitzroy DC 3065P 9417 6777F 9416 3342E office@multiculturalarts.com.auW www.multiculturalarts.com.au

REFUGEE & ASYLUM SEEKERS FESTIVAL 2005presented by Multicultural Arts Victoria as part of UN World Refugee DayFriday-Sunday,17-19 June

A dazzling three day festival celebrating the beautiful and diverse cultures of Melbourne's newlyarrived refugee communities.

MAIN EVENT - Free Event

Sunday 19 June 12 - 5pm @ Fitzroy Town Hall cnr MooreSt & Napier St, Fitzroy

The Fitzroy Town Hall and Napier St will come alive with astunning showcase of music, dance and culture from theHorn of Africa. Featuring Nadia Elbana, Somali Dancers,Orahms Band, Soukous Ba Congo & the Visible projectbands.

Vibrant & diverse cultural marketplace, Ethiopian CoffeeCeremony, cultural music and dance workshops, kidsactivities and more!

Presenting the Visible project funded by VicHealth &Festivals Australia.

A unique mentorship program for artists and culturalgroups from emerging communities to develop new anddynamic performances:

> Sudan Azza with Nicky Bomba

> Astefari with Nicky Bomba

> South Sudan Musica with King Bell

> Sudanese Catholic Choir with Valanga Khosa

> Lion of Judah with Dereb Desalegn

REFUGEE & ASYLUM SEEKERS FESTIVAL CUP - Free Event

Saturday 18 June 12 - 5pm @ Maribyrnong Reserve,Raleigh Rd, Maribyrnong (57 & 82 tram lines).

An action packed, fun filled soccer carnivale where fourlocal Horn of Africa teams compete for the inauguralRefugee & Asylum Seekers Festival Cup. Live Africandrumming, halal and vegetarian BBQ and more on the day!

SEEKING DJIRAFriday 17 June 6.30 - 9.30pm @ Fitzroy Town Hall cnrMoore St & Napier St, Fitzroy $5 entry at door

Presented by Essential Theatre, Linda Jaivin's play 'Seeking Djira' is a sparkling comedy that carries a potentsocial and political message about the complexitiesassociated with asylum seekers.

Also featured on the night the Horn of Africa CommunitiesNetwork Youth Theatre Group in 'Dancing in the Museum' -a short play about living life between cultures directed byAteif Awad.

Guest speaker Julian Burnside QC.

Other World Refugee Day related events

Under One Roof

An exhibition that explores the refugee experience throughthe presentation of sound, images, sculpture andinstallation. Ten contemporary Australian artists willshowcase innovative artwork curated by Tania Blackwell.

7- 18 June at Span Galleries, 45 Flinders Lane,Melbourne.

For further info 0414 662 904.

JUSTICE FOR REFUGEES RALLYSunday 19 June 12pm @ Melbourne Museum cnrNicholson & Gertrude Sts, Carlton.

Marching to join the Refugee & Asylum Seekers FestivalMain Event at the Fitzroy Town Hall.

Join the Refugee Action Collective after the festival for abenefit concert at the Rob Roy. For further info visitwww.rac-vic.org .

For further details and information:Phone 9417 6777Email projects@multiculturalarts.com.auVisit www.multiculturalarts.com.au