Arts Centre Melbourne Presents THE STORY OF LAMP

Families are invited on an interactive and illuminating journey through Arts Centre Melbourne's little known spaces in Sandpit's The Story of Lamp from 8 - 16 July. The immersive experience follows the story of lonely Lamp who spends her days watching everything that happens around the theatres. Guided by a magical book that brings Arts Centre Melbourne's existing lamps to life, audiences follow the series of talking lamps on a curious exploration through the building.

Born in Arts Centre Melbourne's foyer in 1982, the character Lamp spends her time watching the patrons move around the building, rushing into shows and chatting in intervals. Lamp used to light shows inside the theatres but after a mysterious event now lives in the foyer. She sees hundreds of people a day but never any shows, only the muffled applause from behind closed theatre doors. Despite this, she is upbeat and optimistic, curious about the people she encounters and the shows they have seen.

The ground breaking work was created by Sandpit, a digital arts company blending design and technology to create immersive experiences. The Story of Lamp was commissioned by Arts Centre Melbourne with Sandpit undertaking two creative residences in 2015 and 2016. The production uses software and near field communication (NFC) technology to bring the lamps magically to life in Arts Centre Melbourne's foyers.

Sandpit have worked with Australian Children's Television Foundation, ACMI, The University of Adelaide, Arts South Australia and Google's Creative Lab.

For more information visit artscentremelbourne.com.au.

Photo credit: Nick Bollen

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