Fremantle Biennale producers eye cultural storytelling opportunity at Gracetown early 2023

Plans are afoot for Gracetown to host a possible major light show event early next year using drones and led by the artistic director of the Fremantle Biennale. Stakeholders met for an initial briefing in Gracetown on June 24, with key residents supported by the Gracetown-Cowaramup Bay Community Association, with the Biennale’s chief executive and artistic director Tom Muller outlining a potential vision for the event. Titled First Lights, Mr Muller pitched the potential February event as “a place-responsive choreographed drone light show celebrating and sharing the immense history of place”. “The Gracetown show will be developed in conjunction with and guided by the traditional owners of the region with a strong focus on Vivian Brockman Webb and Mitchella Hutchins,” he told the Times. “They will share a specific story connected to the Gracetown location that will be accompanied by a unique sound design, narrated voiceover, and indeed a light show. “This will be a free event for all to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of place,” Mr Muller said. “There will also be a major smoking ceremony ritual prefacing the show and other smaller cultural offerings pre- and post-show.” Mr Muller was careful to note planning was in its infancy and funding would be needed for the festival to happen. “At this stage we are in the early consultative stages with promising community support, including buy-in from other stakeholders,” he said. GCBC spokesman Richard Muirhead said Gracetown residents were keen to see the project come to fruition, with Darryl and Helen Mack leading the way. “The GCBC is hugely excited, thrilled and fully supportive of it and will be throwing our weight behind it,” he said. Last month’s meeting saw Muller address residents alongside producer and artist Ilona McGuire, creative producer Corine van Hall, and technical director and chief pilot Robert Lednor. GCBC said First Lights welcomed involvement from residents as far as Augusta and Yallingup. Using co-ordinated drones as part of last year’s Fremantle Biennale production Moombaki, which recreated the stories of Whadjuk Noongar country, wowed audiences who flocked to beach and foreshores across Perth to witness the spectacle. The Times understands First Lights would also be pitched as a tourism draw for the region with potential support from commercial sponsors and could be livestreamed for international audiences. “We envisage First Lights and its projected visitation to economically contribute to each regional arts, local tourism and hospitality sectors,” Muller said. The project would only be staged at Gracetown, while the Moombaki production was held at three locations in Perth.