Sound Shell 2012
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From Narooma News, 1st February, 2012 http://www.naroomanewsonline.com.au/news/local/news/general/four-winds-festival-sound-shell-taking-shape/2440229.aspx
WORLD renowned architect and Bermagui area resident Philip Cox stopped in at the Four Winds Festival amphitheatre last week to see how his plans for the new sound shell are taking shape.
Mr Cox has again teamed up with the Far South Coast’s Rankin Builders to construct the new stage structure at the bottom of the amphitheatre at the bushland venue at Barragga Bay south of Bermagui.
Together they were also responsible for the stunning Bermagui Fishermen’s Wharf complex at the harbour.
architect sketch of proposed Four Winds SoundshellThe builders and architects again wanted to take advantage of the spectacular natural setting and to incorporate elements of the previous structure, such as the lily pad pond in front of the stage.
“We wanted to keep the history and not throw out the good bits,” Mr Cox said.
“The pond acts as a sound reflector and also lets light bounce back up onto the artists.”
He said compromising between wind and sun was the biggest challenge, working out the best sun angles and gaps to give an intimate enclosed space while still allowing enough of a gap to have films projected down.
Builder Don Hassan said it was a pleasure working on something that was not the ordinary commercial building, describing the structure as an artwork in its own right.
An exciting future for Four Winds – Genevieve Lacey
“The Four Winds Festival has seen some stunning performances from Gregorian chant to contemporary jazz, harp to didgeridoo, world premieres and familiar classics. Wouldn't it be wonderful, though, if we could also include dance, performance artists and installation pieces?”
“The new sound shell will open up the amphitheatre to an even more diverse range of brilliant artists and art forms. It will be a place of possibility and discovery.”
“As Artistic Director, imagining such richness is incredibly exciting. It's my dearest wish that this new sound shell become a home and site of inspiration for musicians around the country.”
Enhancing your experience
Imagine the end of a perfect day at the Four Winds Festival, just as the sun is dipping behind the trees. The extraordinary beauty of 'nature's own concert hall' melding with the joyous music and vibrant performances has been stirring, uplifting and breathtaking.
In 2012 we aim to take the festival to new heights of excellence. Our 20th year will see the launch of a new, purpose-built stage designed to optimise sound quality and greatly enhance the experience for our audience and our musicians.
Internationally renowned architect Philip Cox has conceived a state of the art, contemporary Sound Shell to replace the temporary stage. The sound shell will not only improve sound quality but also visually complement its idyllic setting.
Enabling a much broader range of performances to take place, the Four Winds Sound Shell will be available to the community for year-round use.
Supporter and MC of Four Winds Festival, Carrillo Gantner said: “In the future we see Four Winds becoming a cultural hub: a new purpose-built stage designed to optimise sound quality and greatly enhance the experience for our audience and our musicians, attracting talented performers for both the people of the region and its visitors to enjoy Bermagui.”
Four Winds wins $1.67M for Nature's Concert Hall at Barragga Bay
The Four Winds Festival has been granted $1.67M Federal funding to further develop the Four Winds site at Barragga Bay into “Nature's Concert Hall”, a cultural facility that can be used by all the community.The Regional Development Australia funding was announced yesterday by Minister Simon Crean and Mike Kelly, MP for Eden Monaro. Last year Four Winds received $420,000 from the Australia Council to fund cultural activities in the region between festivals over two years, and $90,000 from the NSW government towards the building of a permanent Sound Shell.
“This realises all our dreams to create a cultural hub in this region where we can create wonderful musical and other events, and bring outstanding performers to the region to share their spirit and artistry with the community”, said Sheena Boughen, chair of the Four Winds Festival, speaking from the US.
“The fact that we have managed to raise funds of $770,000 from donors and grants toward Nature's Concert Hall was an important factor in receiving this grant, as was the support shown by so many people in the community, and the region.”
“This grant means that in addition to the permanent stage and Sound Shell we are building we will be able to have a Shed – a modern day hall at the site, with facilities, broadband and solar power. Instead of trucking everything in for each event it will be there for us all to use.”
“We would like to thank, from the heart, everyone who has supported us over the last two eventful years, and our wonderful team of volunteers and our tiny team of staff , all of whom have worked so hard to achieve this result.”
Four Winds plan to start building stage 2 of the project after the next festival at Easter 2012. The new Sound Shell will be completed in time for the Festival.
Enquiries: call Tonia Liosatis on 0458 000 955
