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Extract from the MG2011 Season Festival Guide page 19. The speech bubbles you'll be seeing around town this Mardi Gras and the exhortation to "Say Something" all stem from an idea of one of our parade's most illustrious contributors - Kabi from ethel yarwood enterprises (www.yarwood.com.au/mardigras). Soon you will see the concept beautifully interpreted into our season imagery on posters, street banners and our printed guide by the immensely talented Técha Noble (www.techanoble.com) and Benja Harney (www.paperform.com.au). ` Bio Kabi has been volunteering for the Parade since 1988 when he made the Cupie dolls' angel wings that accompanied the Order of Perpetual Indulgence's infamous Fred Nile head in the Parade of that year. Kabi and his group ethel yarwood enterprises have since created some of the most memorable and iconic Parade entries of the past 23 years. They have collected 8 Parade awards for their efforts and entertained whilst contributing to the fame and prominence of the Festival. Here he explains the reason and purpose for the 2011 season concept. Say Something The equal rights movement for gays and lesbians in Australia was ignited because in 1978 activists took to the streets of Sydney to bravely Say Something about the criminalisation of our sexuality and the oppression of our culture. From this seed of the 78'ers dissent, The Sydney Gay Mardi Gras was established. Through the combination of art, politics and courage we have employed this platform to Say Something about ourselves, our struggles and our triumphs, our losses and our gains. Over the ensuing period, through its many forms and structures, this protest has grown into a world renowned festival encompassing multiple disciplines of the arts, parties, community gatherings and the Parade. Saying Something is a thread that runs through the entire festival. Writers Say Something to their readership. Speakers, performers, painters, photographers, dancers, actors, film directors, artists of all persuasions want to Say Something to their audiences to share an idea, an experience, to connect. The very fact that 70,000 proud community members assemble at the Fair Day/Launch including our supporters, friends and family really Says Something about the power of the tribe, the strength of kinship. The parade offers the community and sponsors the opportunity, and lays down the challenge, to pass commentary about issues affecting the local and international GLTQ family, and use our uniquely camp, larrikin view of the world to highlight and lampoon topical issues. Whether a single entrant or a marching mass of muscle marys, we will have an impact that resonates beyond the moment if we actually Say Something. Additionally we will endeavour to exploit the digital age of the interweb. We will present to you new and exciting formats in which to participate in this campaign so that your messages can be instantly broadcast around the world.
So Say Something about injustice. |
 photo by Allan Vella |