A giant metal box acting as a camera obscura will be the scene of one of the unusual events taking place around the Lismore CBD this week for the (un)Usual Festival.

From November 27-30, there will be light and sound installations in Spinx Park, art in a can, a cabaret show, and a performance at a secret location – as the festival explores the idea of ‘what happens when the familiar become strange?’

Festival organisers Zeb Schultz and Sunita Bala from Real Artworks said the festival was inspired by the 2017 post-flood Lismore performances of The Overtopping.

“Lots of people engaged in the creative industries lost studios and felt helpless after the flood,” Sunita said.

“So, we got a grant through Creative Arts Recovery Community Hub and opened a shop space where people could come and create with art in free and accessible workshops.

“We know from a United Nations study that the arts helps communities recover after disasters.

“It planted the seed for us about the process of artmaking and inspired creative investigation about what happens when the familiar becomes strange.

“Whether it’s fires or floods, people lose their homes and don’t recognise their homes and community anymore.”

In the aftermath of the recent fire emergency, the (un)Usual festival again explores the themes of recovery and resilience

Sunita said Real Artworks is an inclusive arts organisation that caters for artists of all abilities, and the (un)Usual Festival provides an opportunity for these artists to have their voices heard.

“Lismore has highest number of people engaged in disability services outside of metropolitan Sydney,” she said.

“We have a melting pot of people creative people here and they feel accepted and are a part of the community.”

With a small grant from Regional Arts NSW, Real Artworks began to plan the most unusual festival to hit Lismore.

Expect the unexpected

As people wander round Lismore this week, at different places and times, they can expect the unexpected.

There will be art in a can available at vending machines in various locations around CBD (see https://www.facebook.com/events/1091255057918238/)

“You can buy a token and get art in a can for $5-$500,” Sunita said.

“Artists from all over Australia have donated art and you won’t know whose art you get until you scan the QR code on the can to find out.”

There’s also the Camera Obscura installation (see https://www.facebook.com/events/509532736314644/)

It’s a 20 foot long container where music and light performances will take place and audiences can either view it from outside, or inside the box.

“We’ll have three 20 minutes wheelchair friendly performances on Friday (12.30pm) and Saturday (12.15 and 2.15pm) at the Quad and about 15-20 people can fit inside each time. 

“The event will be capped at 100 people, so you need to book your place for the performance and a ballot draw will determine whether you are inside or outside the box.  

“If you buy a fest pass, you get an inside spot.

“The performance begins with a quintet playing live outside and there will be dancing and Krinkl Theater’s experimental puppets 

“The score for the quintet was written by Tilley Jones – a young woman with a disability who wrote the music as a palindrome.

“The score will be played forwards and backwards creating different feeling and perspectives for the audience.”

There will also be signature toasted sandwiches at the event.

Real Artworks resident artist Matthew Daymond prepares installation art for the (un)Usual Festival.

Kabaret and other events

As part of (un)Usual Festival, the Kabaret at the Lismore Workers Club on Friday November 29 will see 150 creatives of differing ability work together. There will be live experimental troupes and a free photo booth, as well as a durational performance in another room. (see https://www.facebook.com/events/2333165573636031/)

Sunita said all proceeds from the cabaret show will be going to local communities affected by fires. 

The Little Red Dinner Show on Thursday, November 28 at Lismore City Bowling Club will be the first screening of a show developed for the Melbourne Fringe Festival by Jex Lopez.

It’s described as a gender bending truth telling version of Little Red Riding Hood (see https://www.facebook.com/events/573373430070707/).

Then after the show, there’s the Trail of Light and Sound in Spinx Park at 8.30pm, where artists have created a visual and sound experimental performance (see https://www.facebook.com/events/2573953332691354/)

Following that, there will be music at the Bowling Club until 12pm.

On Saturday, November 30, The MessAge will bring a noise opera about the last man alive, and later there will be twisted comedy with Larry Laughs Out Loud at the Lismore City Bowling Club (see https://www.facebook.com/events/542044543254726/).

Tra La Blip, Ana Wojak and Cloudbeard along with a projection DJ and the Useless Assembly will perform at a secret location.

If you want to come along, meet at Lismore City Bowling Club at 9pm. Tickets are $10.

To find out about ticket prices, festival passes and to book your place at any of the festival events, visit https://postdisabilityarts.wixsite.com/unusual - or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/The-un-Usual-When-the-Familiar-Becomes-Strange-1967475603301394/

The festival is will also be Auslan signed and an Auslan pass is available.