The Outhouse (Mk 4) premieres at regional arts festival, Launceston

I have just returned from the Junction 2010 conference in Launceston where The Outhouse was a feature of the arts festival.

Located in central Civic Square amongst other public arts and performance installations, a circus tent-cum-night club and community painting sessions, TRAX Arts unveiled its new 'look' - plush red velvet covering. Leading me to immediately rechristen it 'The Outhouse Palais' and tempting many passing visitors to stop and stroke it.

New technical features designed by Brian Cohen, Samuel Van Ransbeeck and the team include a touch screen that asks questions and, on one of the doors, a digital map of all the places The Outhouse has been; giving people the opportunity to hear what others had to say.

The response to the videobooth was 'excitement' with people, curious and intrigued, queuing to get in and tell their stories.  Groups and families got in together and answered the questions, including:

• What is your community? Would they recognise you?
• What is the best idea you have ever had?
• Where would you take someone who visits you?
• Are you on track?

One 'boothestant', Stuart St Hill - resident of Tuncurry and Chair of Arts Upper Hunter - played his trumpet in response to the questions ('Are you on track?' engendered a stirring rendition of "The Road to Gundagai") and then dueted with the Westminister Chimes of the nearby GPO.

This morning I received an email from Stuart, he wrote:

I had a great time at Junction 2010.  I attended the conference in my capacity as Chair of Arts Upper Hunter board but also as a musician.  I had my trumpet with me and performed randomly around the festival, particularly with artist installations.  The Outhouse was one of them.  It was fantastic playing the trumpet inside the box and answering the questions and having it broadcast.  A truly great concept as a research tool.

Will the red velvet survive the Central Darling Run and research tour in September-October?

How will the technology work and can we find reliable power sources where we set up?

Should we, literally, roll out the red carpet to accompany this plush new version of The Outhouse?

Also, based on what I heard at the conference, I have decided to go back to the drawing board with our draft questions...more on that in my next post.

Pictures: Brian Cohen