In 2015, we explored the mysterious and alluring and the intoxication of new things: tea, silk, porcelain, ceremonies and access to new ways of thinking. This year we focused on the human desire of new and beautiful things but also the sharing of science, knowledge and innovations between countries. Here we explored the role of fashion, the art of origami, and the skill of flower arranging and the crafting of fine objects.
We also shared in the mastery of a Japanese Tea House and ceremony. Guests at the 2015 Zest Fest experienced a very special cultural experience that was beautiful, intimate and set in an architecturally designed tea house by architecture student Jared Malton and built by the Kalbarri Men’s Shed. A sand scultpture was created of a reclining Buddha and Kung Fu and fan ceremonies were demonstrated.
Welcome to Country
With the background of the Murchison River and a view out to sea we opened the Festival in the morning light tousled by high winds but high in spirit and excitement of a grand weekend ahead of us. The whales were leaping and the 500 strong audience applauded the beginning of the fourth Zest Festival in Kalbarri.
Jacko Whitby lead the Welcome to Country and Hon Shane Love MP spoke of the importance of regional events and tourism while Professor Jacqueline van Gent highlighted the value of celebrating and learning about our history and our connection to the world.
Our community poem was read and partners, sponsors and State government support acknowledged.
Japanese Tea House and Ceremony
It was an honour to have Japanese Tea Master Eisetsu Miyahara and her team Tamiko Miyake, Kyomi Matsui, Lisa Miyahara, Takako Matoba and Hirotaka Miyahara perform and guide patrons through a beautiful Japanese tea ceremony. Guests experienced a very special cultural experience that was beautiful, intimate and set in an architecturally designed tea house by architecture student Jared Malton and built by the Kalbarri Men’s Shed. It’s location on the Murchison River beach overlooking the river mouth and out along the wild coast was breathtaking. A truly remarkable experience.
Poem
It sits lightly, erect
poised on the sand
floating amongst
tussocks of swaying grass
white opaque windows
memories of rice paper
simple quiet place
the grace of tea
held in the hands
of those who built it
–Anonymous
Puppetry Workshop
Over five weeks’ puppetry artist Karen Hethey guided community members in the art of puppetry.
All ages groups came together to create gifts for the Shogun, props for the Chamber of Rhetoric performance and two Japanese Banruku puppets.
Dance Choreographer Sete Tele developed a samurai dance and worked intensively with Theaker von Ziarno to choreograph her dramatic performance.
A local cast was selected and 15 young performers worked hard to develop new dance, puppet and dramatic skills to bring the Chamber of Rhetoric alive.
Chamber Of Rhetoric Outdoor Performance
‘THE SHOGUN AT HIS COURT’
The Shogun came to Kalbarri and held court asking people to pay tribute to him with gifts rare and beautiful. A procession lead by Taiko Drummers and a Chinese dragon brought impressive gifts and all were welcomed by the giant Shogun and his Samurai. He then shared a gift with the audience, a story of two brothers.
2000 people were seduced into a story of love, betrayal and loyalty, evoking emotions and celebrating the power of the beautiful. Handcrafted Banruku puppets came to life and emotions overflowed as two brothers destinies entwined
A production locally produced with the talent of Puppet Director Karen Hethey and performer Theaker von Ziarno.
The audience was also over joyed to see a mother dolphin and her calf swim close to the performance. Dolphins are rarely seen in the river this was a beautiful sight to see, the Shogun was impressed by this gift of nature.
Taste and Desire:
The Power of the Beautiful Exhibition
Taste and Desire; The Power of the Beautiful exhibition explored the emotions tied to objects of beauty and power and the VOC trade with China and Japan. Regional artists Marina Baker and Marianne Penberthy and Poet Renee Petit-Schipp worked with this remote community and through a series of workshops in papermaking, poetry, sculpture and the reflection and selection of personal valued ‘vessels’ the community learnt about the cultures of Japan, China, Europe and themselves.
This exhibition had an inside and outside experience, with physical and projected elements aiming to reflect the emotions we feel when we encounter the power of beautiful whether it is nature, a poem or a loved object.
Patrons learnt about the trade of exotic objects from China and Japan by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in the 17th and 18th century into Europe and how it fuelled the imagination of Europeans of an extravagant and exotic Far East. These new objects of beauty and curiosity changed the decorative arts and the lucrative desire for the exotic fuelled the directors of the VOC to forge trade relations through ritualised tribute systems to the courts of Asia.
Community ‘vessels’ and stories were curated alongside images of Asian artefacts and the emotions that surround the power of the beautiful. Chinoiserie and traded Chinese and Japanese objects did not just provide us with a window into a distant world; but instead they show us a mirror, in which we saw ourselves reflected.
Paper making and installation
Artist Marianne Penberthy taught local community members how to make paper and its cultural importance in Asian cultures.
Hundreds of sheets of paper were crafted and then used in a beautiful paper installation created by Marianne as part of the exhibition.
Exhibition visitors could add their own touch by marking our handmade paper with their thumb print turned red by Chinese ink.
Wishing Tree
During the year poet Renee Petit-Schipp worked with Kalbarri residents and students to learn the art of poetry, its role in expressing emotions, contemplating nature and reflecting ones feelings.
The community learnt about the importance of poetry as an art form in Chinese and Japanese culture.
Community members in Shark Bay and Northampton also composed poems and together were displayed on the foreshore for all to read and enjoy. People were invited to pen their own prose and also to make a wish and add it to the wishing tree. It was lovely to see all those wishes fluttering in the wind and watch people quietly reading in the shade of the tree.
Poetry Pole installation
Even more impressive was the poetry pole installation. Renee Petit-Schipp had composed a community poem using the works of local people and how they felt about living in this landscape. Local Artist Chris Holt crafted these words onto lengths of silk and Nhanda children translated key words into the Nhanda language. Together they were tied to bamboo poles and placed along the foreshore. The wind animated people’s words and feelings
Ceramic Leaf installation
Regional artist Marianne Penberthy worked with the community to create over 300 ceramic leaves. During the process people learnt about the ceramics desired by Europeans from China and Japan and the allure of blue and white “China”. People reflected on the impact of the VOC trade of these fine goods and Europe’s attempts to discover the secrets of porcelain.
These leaves were part of a major installation called the wedding tree where 300 names of children in the community were written on the leaves and placed in a much loved and cherished river red gum. Patrons could contribute by writing messages on fallen leaves from the tree.
Buddha Sand Sculpture and sand raking
Artist Marina Baker sculpted a reclining Buddha with the help of a dedicated team. This serene art installation glowed at sunset and was visited by hundreds of people who took the opportunity to learn about Buddhism and enjoy the peaceful ambience created by this skilled artist. Others took meditation and creativity into their own hands in trying sand raking and forming beautiful patterns on the river sand. Moments of beauty shared.
Cultural activities
In a beautifully decorated marquee that glowed red in the morning sun, people learnt about Chinese culture and tried their hand at calligraphy, paper cutting and decorating opera masks learning about the main theatrical characters in Being Opera while talking to the enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff from the Confucius Institute from the University of WA.
Professor Xianhua Chu enthralled patrons with an in depth lecture on Chinese culture from philosophy, religion, cuisine, society, the arts and language. He was very generous with his knowledge and gifted audience members with a collection of beautifully painted opera masks.
Chinese Gourd Flute player Jaye Allan took patrons on an emotional journey of the sounds of the Chinese Gourd Flute and their role in telling folk tales of love, loss, happiness and beauty. All in the shade of an old tree.
The art of Bonsai fascinated patrons who went to workshops and visited the Perth Bonsai Society’s impressive display. These old twisted and well-tended living plants reminded people of the Kalbarri’s kwongan heath living on the coastal cliffs, clipped and shaped by the wind.
Japanese Taiko Drumming
Taiko On! drum master Simon Vanyai held Japanese Taiko Drum workshops in the week lead up to the Zest Festival and formed a youth masterclass which performed on the weekend to much applause.
Patrons could attend workshops over the weekend and learn about the history and art form of Japanese drumming.
It was fascinating to learn about their role in Japanese Festivals and was awesome to have them as part of the community procession to the Shoguns Court.
Taiko On! performances were powerful and energising and created a heart beat on the foreshore. The drums themselves large and impressive gravitated people to the foreshore.
They were also part of the Chamber of Rhetoric performance adding authenticity and an explosion of sound.
Kung Fu martial arts display: Mr Hanzhi ZHAO led a master class of local students in a wonderful Kung Fu display and fan dance.
He then demonstrated his incredible skill as a martial artist and literally flew through the air. His sleek and strong presence was contrasted by the much loved Kung Fu panda who had everyone chuckling.
Taoist Tai Chi display: Geraldton and Kalbarri Tai Chi practitioners demonstrated their peaceful and skilful art form, their bodies moving with grace, rhythm and tranquillity.
Chinese dumpling making: Little parcels of deliciousness were made by eager hands, as the art of dumpling making was taken on with gusto and everyone enjoyed the anticipation of those tasty dumplings. Yum! A great afternoon treat.
School Education program
Once again the talent and scope of knowledge gained by the students from the Kalbarri District High School shone. They had learnt about the history and culture of Japan and China in a myriad of ways across all subjects for over many months. Their work was collated into an outstanding display which curated their beautiful interpretations of other cultures and themselves.
Students performed their newly formed skills during the Festival in Japanese Taiko Drumming, Kung Fu, fan dancing and bringing to life a Chinese Dragon.
The Confucius Institute of WA gave generously and students learnt calligraphy and Kung Fu from two master teachers.
Trade Winds Tasting Tent
The Voyager Estate Gourmet Lunches did not fail to impress and delight patrons. Set on the banks of the beautiful Murchison River with specular views to the river mouth and ocean beyond, you could even see the whales jumping.
Japanese and Chinese flavours were on offer and the all-day food was popular and delicious. Patrons could learn about the VOC trade in spices as they tasted dishes and enjoy the beautiful atmosphere.
2015 Zest Festival
Partners & Sponsors
2015 Kalbarri Zest Festival Events Program
