“Facades of Change” by Rafe Sholer
Title:
- Facades of Change
Artist(s) and People Involved:
Filmmaker, Video Artist, or Animator(s):
Symposium:
Venue(s):
Artist Statement:
This video artwork confronts the fading soundscape of Australia’s music scene. We witness the stoic facades of once-vibrant music venues, their voices narrating their own closure. Their words echo the harsh realities of economic hardship, rising living costs, and a dwindling appreciation for the arts.
The piece serves as a lament for the silenced stages and the communities they fostered. The absence of music within these formerly energetic spaces becomes a tangible metaphor for the disappearing opportunities for artistic expression. By amplifying the voices of these fallen venues, the artwork seeks to ignite a dialogue about the value we place on our cultural lifeblood.
This is a call to action. It urges us to acknowledge the precarious situation of Australia’s music scene and the wider artistic landscape of Australia. The artwork implores us to consider the cost, not just financially, but also to the soul of the city, when artistic spaces are allowed to fade away.
