THE MULKA PROJECT: DJARRAṮAWUN

Media Kit

The Mulka Project, Djarraṯawun, 2023, commissioned by the National Gallery of Australia for the 2023 Enlighten Festival, Kamberri/Canberra © The Mulka Project

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‘We want to bring knowledge of the past to the present, to preserve it for future generations and to understand what meaning it has in the present day and age.’

DR MARIKA, INAUGURAL CULTURAL DIRECTOR, THE MULKA PROJECT

The National Gallery has commissioned a new projection and sound-based work by The Mulka Project to illuminate the building’s 60m façade for the 2023 Enlighten Festival.

Titled Djarraṯawun, the commission will be projected onto the complex architecture features of the National Gallery’s western façade. Djarraṯawun is a composite video/animation work portraying the elemental forces and life cycles of our world. The three major elements of Djarraṯawun are walu (sunlight), makarran (lightning) and gurtha (fire). These elements intertwine with songlines and atmospheric soundscapes immersing audiences in the Yolŋu world of Northeast Arnhem Land.

Working across video, animation and new media, The Mulka Project sustains and protects Yolŋu cultural knowledge in Northeast Arnhem Land under the leadership of community elders. The Mulka production house, recording studio, digital learning centre and cultural archive are managed by Yolŋu law and governance.

Curators: Bruce Johnson-McLean, Wierdi | Birri Gubba people, Barbara Jean Humphreys Assistant Director, First Nations Engagement and Head Curator, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art; Kelli Cole, Warumungu/Luritja peoples, Curator, Special Projects, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art; and Peter Johnson, former Curator, Projects.

Viewer advice: Please be aware this work of art contains flashing lights, loud sounds and scenes depicting fire. Viewer discretion is advised.

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Related

The Mulka Project presents Djarraṯawun for Enlighten

Visitors will be transported to the Yolŋu Country of Northeast Arnhem Land as part of the National Gallery’s illuminations for Enlighten.

Special Event

The Mulka Project: Djarraṯawun

Past Exhibition

3–13 Mar 2023
Daily, 8–11pm

For the 2023 Enlighten Festival, the National Gallery has commissioned a new projection and sound-based work by The Mulka Project.

Article

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National Gallery facade lit up with colourful video projections

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National Gallery building facade lit up by video projections

We look back on the artist commissions that have illuminated the façade of the National Gallery building as part of Canberra’s Enlighten Festival.

Read Time: 13 minutes
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Screenshot from a video close-up shot of a man talking and smiling

Published 15 March 2022

Artist Daniel Crooks discusses with Curator Elspeth Pitt his work commissioned to illuminate the National Gallery façade for Enlighten Festival 2022.

Auslan Interpretation Closed Captions
22 minutes