fortyfivedownstairs Announces Upcoming Events And Shows

Since 2002 fortyfivedownstairs, a not-for-profit organisation, has offered an evocative urban space and a personalised service to an eclectic mix of artists for theatre, visual arts, forum, music and dance.

The end of the year may be almost upon us, but we're not slowing down yet!

Large Gallery: Wendy Kelly
Undercurrent
Until 26 November

This week the large gallery is extraordinarily serene, created entirely by Wendy Kelly’s small and large scale minimalist paintings. Her multi layered approach creates works that literally seem to glow, and while the strict geometrical approach to surfaces, created by her use of finest threads, might sound severe, the results are anything but that.

There are also layers of meaning in the works, hidden, but subliminal, dealing with Kelly’s concern with the environment, with language, with contemporary issues.
Hard to imagine that so much can be found in a work which at first glance might be thought to be contained and reserved.

Small Gallery: Celia Bridle and Aphra Perkins
Resonance
Until 26 November

Celia Bridle and Aphra Perkins are mother and daughter, but despite their shared relationship, their works are powerfully distinct from one another. Celia paints tiny (25cm by 25 cm) works which reveal their secrets on closer inspection: they have evolved from earlier drawings from which she has discovered another world of images: flowing organic shapes, patterns, abstract and pictorial elements, plant-like expanses and streams of water.

Aphra Perkins’ large-scale gouache and charcoal works on paper combine painting and drawing in flowing compositions, juxtaposing colours with an uninhibited freedom of gesture, referencing and celebrating natural forms such as rocks, flowers and bird wings. Although the work of these two artists is so different in medium and in imagery, there is an warm harmony in their shared exhibition.
Theatre: Ross Trust Scriptwriting Awards
Free event -limited seating, booking suggested.

Since 2003, the R.E.Ross Trust has given grants to support script development, and the R.E.Ross Trust Playwrights’ Script Development Awards are one of the most significant for Australian playwrights. Since 2007 many of those scripts have been given their first major rehearsed reading at fortyfivedownstairs, again generously funded by the R.E. Ross Trust.

10 of the 12 readings at fortyfivedownstairs have gone on to be produced. These include the multi award winning Do Not Go Gentle…by Patricia Cornelius and directed by Julian Meyrick (produced by fortyfivedownstairs in 2010) Whiteley’s Incredible Blue by Barry Dickins and directed by Julian Meyrick (produced by fortyfivedownstairs in association with Melbourne Festival 2011) and Return to Earth by Lally Katz (produced by M.T.C. 2011)

True Love Travels on a Gravel Road Wednesday 30 Nov 7.30pm
By Jane Miller
Directed Beng Oh

A play about broken dreams and choices. The judges praised “Wonderful characters, each with distinct and engaging voices…a bungled heist story that is finally very moving and human.”

Pompeii LA Thursday 1 Dec 7.30pm
Written by Declan Greene
Directed by Matthew Lutton

Pompeii LA continues Declan’s fascination with the dark side of the dream of fame. A car-wreck on a freeway, a former child star trapped inside. On a sound-stage somewhere the lights are dimming, the credits are rolling, and a volcano is bubbling – ready to explode.

Pompeii LA is Declan Greene's second play to win a R.E Ross Trust award, and will be produced by Belvoir Street and Malthouse theatres in 2012.
Large Gallery: Mike Hewson
Under Standing Loss
29 November - 10 December

New Zealand artist Mike Hewson’s exhibition deals with the loss experienced on many levels in the Christchurch earthquake. One of the many buildings affected was an office building that housed studios for many artists. Hewson lost a huge amount of work, and this exhibition speaks specifically to the emotional space created when one is confronted with instability, loss, tumult and disaster. It is not only about the event and its aftermath, but about assessing and moving forward from that loss.
Small Gallery: Dayne Trower
Slow Decline
29 November - 10 December

An intriguing exhibition of impeccably crafted three dimensional wall works, relating to architectural drawing and models, sculpture and installation. Trower modelled these diagrammatical sculptures on suburban Melbourne intersections and their surrounding structures.
For the diary: Collider
Monday 12 December 7.30pm
Adam Simmons and Kynan Robinson have drawn inspiration from literary geniuses, making an imaginative sound scapes from the mental impressions conjured from their words.

Bookings for all fortyfivedownstairs shows: www.fortyfivedownstairs.com tel 9662 9966

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