Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Be Consumed: Creative Collaborations from the Barossa

JamFactory’s Assistant Curator Adele Sliuzas introduces her upcoming Project, Be Consumed: Creative Collaborations from the Barossa.

In the second half of 2014 JamFactory I am curating an exhibition titled Be Consumed: Creative Collaborations from the Barossa. I thought it would be great to share a little bit about the project as it develops!
Be Consumed is a project that focuses on a number of creative collaborations between leading artist and designers and renowned food and wine producers from the Barossa. It looks at the relationships between food, wine, art and design, and celebrates the distinctive contexts and characteristics of the iconic Australian region.
As curator of the exhibition, I am excited to be working with some of South Australia’s finest! There has been a lot of enthusiasm for the collaboration from both artists and producers, who are keen to share their artisan skills.
Be Consumed is a unique opportunity for producers from different industries to work together, share ideas, skills and stories. The collaborative aspect is at the core of the project, with a major focus on mutual exchange. We are interested in seeing the kind of creative ideas that come out of different people working together. 

Morning meeting with artist Stephanie James-Manttan and Producer Jan Angas at Hutton Vale Farm
Having met with a few of the artists and producers, I can already see the parallels that run between the collaborators processes. Artisans of Barossa spoke of the ancient tradition of wine making, while their collaborator Andy Baldwin noted the similarly ancient tradition of glass blowing, his chosen medium. At Carême, ceramicist Susan Frost noted some parallels between preparing pastry and preparing clay. Other collaborators shared a similar ethos in terms of making, whether it be art or food. These simple ties are what will allow the artists and the producers to develop an understanding of each other.
Be Consumed is an important project for JamFactory, and as part of our first year in the Barossa, it is a chance for us to get to know the locals. The collaborations kick off professional and personal relationships, as well as strengthening creative networks within existing communities.
The selected artists work across various mediums, including ceramics, jewellery, glass and furniture, echoing JamFactory’s commitment to craft and design.  They have been commissioned to produce new works for the exhibition, and throughout the next few months will be developing ideas that respond to the producers business. Curatorially, I am really interested in seeing how the works evolve throughout the collaboration. The artists may choose to reflect upon the core concepts of the producers business, draw ideas from stories of the region, or respond directly to the processes used in production of food or wine. I am looking forward to seeing how these stories are drawn out and unfold. 

Making Cheese at Barossa Valley Cheese Company
Be Consumed: Creative Collaborations from the Barossa brings together 12 strongly craft-based artist and designers with 12 Barossa food and wine producers who are equally dedicated to the fine craft traditions of their industries. Exhibiting artists include Andrew Baldwin, Honor Freeman, Susan Frost, Jon Goulder, Stephanie James-Manttan, Leslie Matthews, mono (John Quan and Kumiko Nakajima), Wayne Mcara, Julia Robinson, Prue Venables, Janice Vitkovsky, Gerry Wedd. Barossa producers are Jan Angas of Hutton Vale, Appellation, Artisans of Barossa, Barossa Coffee Roasters, The Barossa Valley Cheese Company, Carême Traditional Pastry, FermentAsian, Fino, Maggie Beer, Saskia Beer, Seppeltsfield Winery and Yalumba.

Exhibition dates:
JamFactory at Seppeltsfield 18 July - 17 September 2014
JamFactory Adelaide 26 September – 29 November 2014

Pickled Vegetables at Fino
JamFactory's Assistant Curator Adele Sliuzas