The creative scene – art, illustration, poetry, and prose – is starting to pick up in Perth. For those who do not know this scene or are unaware of it, they will walk into a whole new world of creativity and quirkiness that can be felt in the atmosphere.
dotdotdash: Recursive Launch Party is just one of the many events that help bring creativeness and style to Perth. What started out as a university assignment for Steven J Finch has blossomed into a literary and arts publication up to its ninth edition.
The Recursive Launch Party was an extraordinary night, where you could feel the creativity and art culture in the air even as you walk towards the entrance of the exhibition. Walking up a flight of wooden stairs, you could already see small samples of artwork on the walls. When you walk in, the lighting puts you in the right mood like magic; a lot of teacup candles were lit as well as fairy lights framing the people who are there to help you. The setting was simple and you could tell that they didn’t want to draw the attention away from the main attractions.
On one side of the exhibition space at Paper Mountain, artist Loren Kronemyer could be seen working on an art piece from the very beginning. On the other side, a very innovative stage was set up, with a vintage inspiration to it; floored with a home-y rug, with crates on either side covered with floral material and pillows, and lit by a lamp one would find in a vintage op-shop. Against the wall between Loren and the stage, The Perth Zine Collective was set up for guests to peruse and purchase. These pieces were amazingly creative and all have the feeling of being hand-made, which adds a special touch as it makes one feel like the artist gave each copy loving attention to detail.
The night was also filled with some of the writers /contributors to the dotdotdash publication doing live readings of their works. Josephine Clarke had written inspiring and image-filled poetry on places she has visited in her lifetime (her work can be found in the Recursive edition). The editor, Steven J Finch, had read out his prose that was filled with such imagination and humour that it could make anyone listen on to every word. Tristan Fidler and Kevin Gillam also read out their amazing pieces that were just awe inspiring to anyone who can appreciate art and creativity. Between the first two readings and the second two, Mara Colleen from Sydney sang her original songs. There are no words to describe how amazingly talented this girl is; but an audience member put it this way, “…her voice is smooth, sexy and sweet all wrapped up in one big serving of talent.”
The overall feeling of the exhibition was simplistic yet pure inspiration. This was an amazing exhibition for something that started out as a simple idea for an assignment in university. Steven J Finch has been able to take this idea, and through the aid of so many talented contributors, let it blossom into this publication that is gaining popularity and acknowledgement.
By Linda Tran
Photography by Matthew Picken View full album