The South Project

The South Project
The South Project is a six-year project that focuses on art and creative endeavours from the southern hemisphere. Its particular emphasis is on the visual arts and their representations of the various and fascinating cultures of the south. Throughout history, the people of the south have looked to their northern neighbors for approval. The South Project encourages artists to stop looking north and to look instead to their own land and to their neighbors in the south for recognition. The project aspires to build and nurture south-south interactions and collaborations that will be successful for many years to come.

South 1
The project will feature three biennial events. The first is a forum called South 1: The Gathering, to be held in Melbourne from 1-4 July 2004 at the University of Melbourne's Sidney Myer Asia Centre. Here artists, writers, and performers from countries throughout the southern hemisphere will come together for four days of lectures and discussions. Unique experiences and cultures will be shared as these people present their perspectives of the south. The final day will focus on the purpose of the South Project and its goals as determined by South 1.

South 2
The South Project will continue to hold a number of collaborative exhibitions and workshops over the next two years, leading up to a major exhibition in 2006 entitled South 2: The Journey. Part of the Commonwealth Games, South 2 will feature the multicultural works of the South Project's artists-in-residence.

South 3
2008 will mark the culmination of The South Project and its final step, South 3: The Arrival. This major festival will feature visual, performance and literary artworks that represent the diverse cultures of the south and their importance today. Although this is officially the end of the South Project, the personal and professional relationships and collaborations established over the previous six years will hopefully continue for many years to come.

Registration
The date for South 1 is rapidly approaching and registrations for the event are now available. The first day of the event will be a general welcome to all. Discussions on where the history behind the South Project will begin on day two. The third day will look at how the traditional and modern worlds are important in southern cultures today. On the final day, participants will discuss the motivations behind the South Project and what they hope to acheive over the next four years.

Specific lectures and discussions will focus on Antarctica and how the South Pole can be a source of creative inspiration; examples of successful south-south collaborations; and reflections of what has been established over the course of South 1. Each day will also include workshops, round tables, performances, films, wine tastings, translations and project clusters.

Registration forms are now available to download. Registration includes the welcome event and three days of forums, workshops and performances. Early bookings are advised, as there are limited places.

Latest News
The latest news about the South Project can be found by visiting the website. Here you can find the project's twelve keys to unlocking ideas among southern artists, such as the Southern Cross and the African renaissance. Also available are versions of the South Project outline in Spanish, Portuguese and isiXhosa; profiles and updates on the project's artists-in-residence; and event details behind South 1, South 2, and South 3.

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