The major project at Shopfront is always an adventure – previous years have seen the creative team infiltrate outdoor areas, create whole pop-up villages and go on outback road trips. This year local and closer to home the old dance hall/mechanic shop which has been the home of Shopfront for over 35 years was completely over-run by the work of one hundred artists (young people) who had made a complete arcade out of cardboard – games, installations, interactive moments with people or slingshots, dance machines, wheels of fortune. A craft table where you make your own avatar. Messages of reassurance. Diagnoses and cures. A dance party with strangers.

The aesthetic was a comfortable mix of digital innovation and analogue crafts – Screens and animations embedded in cardboard – an arcade made by hand. For me, an instant choose your own adventure/treasure hunt… a reminder of how long it has been since I have made things with my hands – how long its been since I have used glue and materials to add something colourful and whimsical to the world. And just the reminder I need – to reconnect with my creative self, my self that hunts and seeks and takes joy in being open to the new and the generous offers of young artists – who always surprise me with their sensitivity and wisdom.

I am very proud of the work of the young people involved in Arcade Assembly. It is a pleasure to serve on the board and to support the artists as they discover and experiment and build their vision and community.

For more information about Shopfront and how you can get involved or offer your support visit:
http://shopfront.org.au/