Michael Cohen

Dreaming up Projects to Interpret Local Stories

After seeing the extraordinary way that Sydney-siders and visitors responded to Fire Water in 2009 & 2010, I became convinced that making cultural projects that speak to the history of a place creates a depth of connection that cannot be replicated.  Of course not all interpretive projects can be of that scale so at Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority (SHFA) I initiated a way of developing work for The Rocks and Darling Harbour that tell the stories of those places.  Since 2011, I have produced three separate ‘laboratories’ that bring together artists, historians, architects, urban planners, story-tellers and community members. 2011:  The Rocks Interpretive Events Incubator:  artists developed work of all different scale.  From “Aunties’ Blackfella Bingo” (left) to the Rocks Windmill (below and above – footage courtesy SHFA) 2013:  The Aboriginal Interpretation Incubator:  eight NSW-based artists generated multiple project concepts that are being implemented in 2014-15 including The Boatshed at Corroboree Sydney. 2014:  Dirt Blood and Water:  an international arts lab investigating cityscapes, waterscapes and the resonance of WW1.  The outcome of this laboratory was a major public art installation Nomanslanding made to be installed on the waterways of Sydney, Glasgow and the Ruhr (Germany).