Welcome to our 2022/23 science and arts program involving scientists, artists, cultural experts and community
As part of the CORRIDOR project annual program we convene the Orange Cowra Cabonne Science Hub creating unlikely STEAM experiences through place-based learning in natural environments, igniting new ways to further educational models and environmental awareness in regional NSW.
The CORRIDOR project has developed a reputation as a leader in delivering innovative STEAM [science technology engineering arts maths] programs engaging educators, scientists, multi-disciplinary artists, youth and communities to explore, ideate, share and interpret natural environments and cross-cultural exchange within the nexus between art and science. Over the past x10 years our organisation has delivered over x100 workshops, exhibitions, events and initiatives elevating science knowledge and engagement through creative expression in collaboration with schools, youth and community. We partner with key sector government agencies, businesses, local government, scientists, First Nation cultural leaders, environmentalists, ecologists, and multidisciplinary artists. We thank our past partners, presenters, collaborators, participants and our principal partner - Inspiring Australia for supporting our program. View below for workshops coming up in 2023 and see what’s happening in 2024 HERE
2023 Year-Round Science program
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17TH - 10.00am-4.00pm
CHROMATOGRAMS, SOILS AND TREE HEALTH -
workshop
A day of talks, field-walks and Chromatogram making
Orange Cowra Cabonne Science Hub [OCCSH] Presented by Sammy Hawker and Dr Jordan Bailey
Workshop 1 - CHROMATOGRAMS, SOIL AND TREE HEALTH WORKSHOP
Dr Jordan Bailey presented a workshop based on fungi and their role in plant and soil health, as decomposers, antagonists, and symbionts, and how humans are harnessing their powers to heal our ecosystems and reduce our carbon footprint. Artist Sammy Hawker then lead the group on a field study walk followed by a chromatogram-making workshop. Participants were invited to gather a small handful (10 grams) of fallen leaves, soil, shed bark, or fungus from a tree they feel a connection to during the walk. Participants were then guided on how to collect their sample ethically and with respect to the tree. This sample was then used to create a chromatogram. The process of chromatography facilitates the visual expression of vibrant matter, and the result can be understood as a self-portrait of the tree.
Presenter: Dr Jordan Bailey
Leader of Plant Pathology Curation - Biosecurity Collections Department of Primary Industries - Orange NSW. Find out more HERE
Tutor: Artist Sammy hawker
Lives and works in regional NSW and the ACT, Sammy Hawker is an Australian-based visual artist based in Wombat NSW and the ACT Canberra. Her practice examines methods and protocols of human and more-than human collaboration when producing works that investigate sites of the Anthropocene.
Sammy is interested in decentering her position as the artist and breaking open the permanency of the photograph by inviting agents of the site to co-create the work. Through facilitating interaction with more-than human entities this practice aims to draw attention to and make visible the hidden temporal realities & cross-species entanglements of the site. Sammy’s practice is grounded in collaborative engagement. When investigating a site she will work closely with Traditional Custodians, scientists, ecologists and regenerative agriculturalists. These engagements assist her in interpreting quantitative and qualitative data as well as developing ecological literacy and a cultural understanding of the site. Cross- disciplinary partnerships illustrate a responsible way of moving forward in an age of environmental crisis. Find more about Sammy HERE image credit: Sammy Hawker processed image from TCP Chromatogram community workshop 2022.
Orange Cowra Cabonne Science Hub Workshop - Supported by Inspiring Australia
Produced by - the CORRIDOR project & Presented by: Sammy Hawker and Dr Jordan Bailey
Sunday 26th November - 10.00am-4.00pm
FUTURE LANDSCAPES
- AR + AI - workshop
Learning about digital technologies in natural environments using AI + VR
Orange Cowra Cabonne Science Hub [OCCSH] Workshop - Presented by Matt O’Brien
Workshop 2 - Future Landscapes - Presentation on ar + AI - Digital drawing with Artist - Matt O’Brien
The workshop was a delivered as field walks and AI + AR technology training in a natural environment with educator and artist Matt O’Brien. Matt explained “Future Landscapes is framed by the current discourse of the Anthropocene. We have become accustomed to change within our environs, and if we are open we can see these changes in minute detail. Digital technologies allow us to capture and reveal some of these details. The digital process of AI and AR can reveal awareness on how much we don’t understand or do not see, once described digitally it reveals an alternate reality that brings back the focus on what we really know and see in our environs. Sometimes the results are quite strange and beautiful but also reveals a frailty of the environs and our perception”
Tutor: Matt O’Brien
Matt is a multidisciplinary artist and educator living and working in the Northern Rivers he maps landscapes using diverse methodologies relevant to the Anthropocene, and is currently experimenting with AI and VR mapping. Image credit above: Matt O’Brien using AR + AI technology - 2023
Orange Cowra Cabonne Science Hub Workshop - Supported by Inspiring Australia
Produced by - The Corridor Project
Testimonials
“Thank you very much for hosting a great workshop in the best venue, ever.
Everything about the event: Matt’s generosity in sharing his creative processes and practices, the CORRIDOR projects generosity as hosts, meeting other creatives, the accommodation and the magnificent country on which we met, was just right. I came away feeling refreshed and inspired. Can’t wait to come back.”
“I really enjoyed the presentation by Matt O’Brien at the corridor project on November 26th. I appreciated the overview and introduction and then the afternoon process/practice. Matt is a knowledgeable and friendly artist whose enthusiasm in sharing techniques is appreciated. All the participants were friendly and we had lots to share in our explorations of the digital medium. Fun was had!”
“My experience at the CORRIDOR project with the Artificial intelligence course was inspiring and allowed me to see my current practice in a new multilayered dimension. The course was a fantastic refresher on my pre-existing knowledge of artificial intelligence and artificial realities. Open to all levels of experience the course caterers to a wide range of knowledge building providing the stepping stones to further understanding new aged art making practices. The incredible hospitality of TCP and their knowledge of the land as well as Matt’s keen eye for metaphysical and environmental details provide an access point for inspiration and innovation. The whole day was such a wonderful experience, I felt connected and in tune with the site and the potential for artmaking and project ideas. I would recommend this course to anyone thinking of developing an understanding of what AI is or how to use it in addition to people who wish to refine and develop pre-existing skills on artificial platforms. I can’t wait to revisit the rugged mountains and rolling plains at the corridor project site in the future. ”
“The Future Landscapes workshop run by Matt O’Brien was a great introduction to AI as a tool for visual artists. Very enjoyable to collect imagery along the river at the CORRIDOR project as a way of exploring landscape themed AI video and photographic works”
“The Future Landscapes workshop at the Corridor Project was a well run and insightful day that provided some very useful methodologies in utilising various A.I platforms as a means to expand my practice, either as a means of its production or finalisation. Definitely a worthwhile initiative that I would happily travel for again. It is great to see educational initiatives for artists beginning to flourish a lot more in regional N.S.W”
Saturday 2nd December - 2023 10.00AM-4.00PM
Workshop 3 - Pressing Matters - Plant and Pathology presentation/talk with Dr Jordan Bailey and Botanical Cyanotype making workshop tutored by Steven Cavanagh.
Orange Cowra Cabonne Science Hub Workshop - Supported by Inspiring Australia
Producer: the CORRIDOR project & Presenter: Dr Jordan Bailey and artist Steven Cavanagh
A key presentation by Dr Jordan Bailey, discussing the why fungi is blue with a short scientific history. Photo-media artist Steven Cavanagh will then presented a workshop in the process of making Cyanotypes with organic material collected from site field trips [all materials provided] Image credit above: Steven Cavanagh producing works at the CORRIDOR project for the Orange Regional Gallery ‘Material Measure’ Exhibition 2022.
“ It was an enlightening experience, and I genuinely appreciate the chance to be part of such a well-organised and engaging event. The meticulous planning and execution of the workshop were remarkable, making for a productive and memorable day. I was particularly fascinated by the chemical reaction-based dyeing process. The allure of being unable to control the outcome completely, coupled with the unexpected and sometimes challenging results, piqued my interest. The uncertainty and abstract nature of the results drew me in even more, making the experience uniquely intriguing.”
2022 - YEAR-ROUND SCIENCE PROGRAM
1. WORKSHOP - Chromatograms, Plants, Soils and Field Walks
Key presentation with John Daly discussing the science of plants and soils and Chromatogram workshop with artist Sammy Hawker. This session will closely investigate the connection between plants, water, nitrogen, carbon and minerals whilst learning how to improve and respond to local environments through scientific investigation and data in the field. Additionally learn how to make a Chromatogram with Photo Media Artist Sammy Hawker. ‘The technique of chromatography facilitates the visual expression of vibrant matter. Silver nitrate reacts with samples collected from a site to form a complex mix of colours and shapes’ Sammy Hawker 2022 [November 5th - 2022]
2. WORKSHOP - The ‘Wood Wide Web’
Join us for a day in the studio and paddock learning about soils and fungi through field studies, presentations and hands on workshops led by mycologist Dr Jordan Bailey, and ceramicist Rebecca Dowling. Learn about fungal colonies, mycology, hyphae, bioremediation, and tree communication and why this is vital to soil and plant health? Renowned ceramicist Rebecca Dowling will take you on a clay forage in the paddock to make ceramics in her studio [all materials provided] [June 4th - 10.00am-3.30pm]
“The Saturday Workshop was thoroughly informative and engaging, and the way it was conducted meant that it was relaxed and enabled workshop attendees to ask questions. Walking around the property also enabled unpacking of the information received, and each of us was really focused on the amount of fungi we were able to identify. Using the clay from the property was magical, and making collaborative clay fungi networks further enabled us to drill down into what we had learnt. FYI the catering was magnificent! Since my new arrival to country life, this was the best day yet! Thank you ”
“Amazing workshop by @thecorridorprojectcowra #woodwideweb absorbing research into the role of fungal systems in ecology. Fascinating ceramic collaboration using wild clay harvested from Raintree Farm. So fun!!.”
“It’s always wonderful to have an opportunity to expand your knowledge and understanding of the natural world; and even better when you can translate this into a physical body of art work. Thanks to Rebecca and Jordan for their generosity. The entire group were super friendly and great to share this experience with. I look forward to future workshops.”
3. WORKSHOP - Micro landscapes - birds habitats cyanotypes
A key presentation by Bird Life Australia - Jayden Gunn, discussing woodland bird habitat and nesting sites on the Galari/Lachlan river, including an introduction to the best shrubs and trees for flora and fauna health, additionally learn why key water monitoring techniques and aquatic health are essential. Photo-media artist Steven Cavanagh will then facilitate a workshop in the TCP studio in how to make Cyanotypes with organic material collected during field trips [all materials provided - July 23rd - 10.00am-4.00pm]
NOTES from presenter Steven Cavanagh….
“Just breathe and let go. Explore the act of mark making. Chance and failure are welcome companions to success. This is photography’s beautiful ability to create new language that is visceral and in the moment. Don’t show me what it looks like… show me what it feels like. Workshop participants will develop and realise visual ideas through the photographic process of Cyanotype. We will use recycled cardboard, found vegetation, sun and water. This historic analogue process is low toxic with a very small environmental footprint. Materials will be found, used and returned to the earth on-site as we work. You will learn about the history of Cyanotype while making images. 19th century artist and botanist Anna Atkins whose book Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions is the inspiration and a jumping off point for the workshop. This slow and introspective method of working will surprise and delight you while continually shifting and collapsing the physical and metaphorical spaces between nature and ourselves.”
SUPPORTED BY - Inspiring Australia, the CORRIDOR project, local scientists, and professional artists, register Interest - HERE