Skywhale rises over Brisbane

The polarizing public art piece ‘Skywhale’ can tick another Australian city off her bucket list today.

In the early hours of Wednesday morning she rose over New Farm Park, in Brisbane, in front of fascinated onlookers, many of whom went out of their way to witness the hot air balloon take flight.

The 34 metre-long hot-air balloon was commissioned to mark Canberra’s centenary in 2013 and since has been ‘on tour’ stopping in Melbourne and Launceston.

Creator, artist Patricia Piccinini says the Skywhale is in Brisbane in time for the inaugural Australian Performing Arts Market (APAM) showcase, which kicked off on Tuesday.

“I think people will see her beauty and I think that she comes across as a very peaceful creature and that people might like her,”

APAM Executive Producer Jane Fuller says the arts market is a coup for Brisbane, with the biennial market usually associated with the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

“It’s been held in Adelaide for the last 12 times, so for Brisbane to get it, it’s great! We’re really centring everything…in the heartbeat of Brisbane.”

The expo brings together around 400 art and performance practitioners, buyers from around Australia and the world who are looking at new talent to put on the festivals that they look after and gives local performing artists or groups increased international and national touring opportunities.

Over 200 artists and/or companies apply to be part of the market but Ms Fuller says the selection process is really looking for “the cream of Australian performing arts”.

“So that whittles down to about 35 companies,” she said.

Ms Fuller says Brisbane has embraced APAM and created a real “buzz” for the 600 delegates.

While the artist ‘pitches’ and ‘showcases’ for APAM are not open to the public, there are a number of art installations around the city that people can easily see, including the Skywhale.

“We’ve had installations and happenings…[that] the public can come to,” Ms Fuller said.

Skywhale at a glance

• The giant sculpture is modelled on a whale with multiple mammaries that hang from each side.
• The design has divided opinion, as has the $300,000 cost of the project.
• It is 34 metres long and weighs half a tonne, at least twice as large as a standard hot-air balloon.
• It took 16 people seven months to make, using more than 3.5 kilometres of fabric and 3.3 million stitches.
• It can carry a pilot plus two passengers to an altitude of 3,000 feet.
• Weather permitting; the Skywhale will be tethered to the Powerhouse until Friday.

via – ABC Brisbane