Bleach Surfing the Fringe festival mightn’t officially launch until this weekend, but the southern Gold Coast is already filling up with an abundance of surf-inspired art across a variety of reclaimed urban spaces and galleries collaborating with Bleach.Bleach* will host over fifty-five art and photography installations, film screenings, music, talks, fashion, theatre and food events staged across the spectacular beaches, foreshores and major venues unique to the Southern Gold Coast from 11-26 Feb 2012. For 16 days, across 10kms, over 80 artists and musicians will be on display.

Bleach Festival Director Louise Bezzina said that some festival artworks will be visible from early this week as different spaces ‘bump in’ ahead of the official launch weekend. “Some participating galleries like Café D’bar exhibit work all year around with a range of artists from different disciplines,” explained Bezzina. Some of these galleries have been preparing displays to coincide with Bleach ahead of schedule, and several empty shop fronts reclaimed by Gold Spaces urban renewal project have also been undergoing transformations ahead of opening weekend, with volunteer crews cleaning out spaces to make way for Bleach* temporary galleries.

Pop Up Bleach* galleries housed in shipping containers laid on prominent beach foreshores will also start appearing as the weekend nears. These temporary galleries will house visual artists like Joel Rea, Jae Copp, Potts and Josh Rufford as well as a range of experimental photographers and filmmakers, like legendary lens men Dick Hoole and Albe Falzon right through to young progressive photographers like Trent Mitchell and Nick Lawrence to name but few.

Stargazers scanning the night skies were also treated to an early preview of Bleach* On The Rocks, a series of art projection evenings set to take place at Currumbin’s iconic Elephant Rock, when celebrated visual artists like Kellie O'Dempsey recently conducted a secret test run evening. Festival Director Louise Bezzina said that Bleach On The Rocks will feature a series of artists, including images and film projections curated by Gold Coast’s own Claudio Kirac (Feb 19), film projects by Cyrus Sutton (Feb 12, 18, 26) and festival opening evening and closing weekend (Feb 11, 25) with live installations by Kellie O”Dempsey. “Kellie has been responsible for creating amazing live art installations at major arts festivals and venues around Australia and overseas. Seeing Kellie working live with her drawing and animation is a real visual treat. Kellie will transform Elephant Rock into an artwork that will blow you away.”

The overflow of art spilling across the coast comes as no surprise to Bleach* Assistant Curator Shelli Bankier, who said the response from local artists had been overwhelmingly positive. “The festival concept has been embraced and supported as it moves into reality; artists from all over the Gold Coast have been in touch requesting a spot in the festival. Everyone involved is excited to show their work in this innovative format, with Pop Up shipping container galleries and collective exhibition shows filling empty shop spaces.”

Shelli Bankier said the calibre of artists and variety of mediums will be sure to astound. “Everyone involved has been inspired, and all the artists are working hard to show their best work. We have an amazing collection of surf and ocean art across all forms, from photography, painting, airbrushing, paper, digital design, illustration, sculpture, art installations and so much more. With 80 artists and still counting, the Southern Gold Coast will be awash with art expressed by those who take their meaning and inspiration from the ocean.”

The festival will also host a series of talks, debates and workshops that will blur the divide between surfing and the arts. These include writing workshops by celebrated surf author Tim Baker, who will also be a panel member for a public debate on the topic ‘Is Surfing an Art or A Sport?’

Tim’s fellow panelists for this lively topic will include the Beautiful Girls frontman and avid surfer Mat McHugh, board shaper Stuart D'Arcy, surf commentator Bruce Lee, former professional surf and ASP women’s tour manager Jessi Miley Dyer, and Southern Cross University’s Jak Carroll.

Stay up to date with Bleach by visiting the Bleach Facebook page, www.facebook.com/BleachFestival

By PRESS RELEASE