Supersense Festival

Prepare for a weekend of sensory overload — Supersense 2017 is hitting Melbourne, brining an experience that will take you out of your mind and out of this world. Chasing the ‘ecstatic experience’, the three-day festival features international artists and performers transforming the Arts Centre’s labyrinth of underground walkways and venues into visual and creative masterpieces of music, dance, film and art. 

Have I lost you? Don’t fret. Supersense is a festival where norms are shattered and conventions are ignored — in other words, there are no expectations. In the words of curator Sophia Brous, ‘Supersense is devoted to exploring the many plains of perspectives of ecstatic experience. How do we achieve and seek out ecstatic states of being in a diverse and contemporary society? The means through which we do this – through punk, devotional music, free improvisation, dance, movement and extremity – is what Supersense is all about … seeking out experiences of ecstatic wonder.’

Here are Milk Bar Mag’s program highlights:

Friday, 18 August

The dazzling opening night features heady rhythms, dizzying wonder and performances of profound impact. Expect performances by artists Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso U.F.O., Master Musicians of Jajouka led by Bachir Attar, Oliver Coates and EXO-TECH, to name a few.

Saturday, 19 August

The central day focuses on heightening: extremity, amplification, volume, beauty and immersion. Among various acts is the world premiere of Memory Field by Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Waangenga Blanco and drummer Laurence Pike. Plus, check out a performance by New Zealand-born popstar Kimbra or Russian feminist group Pussy Riot. 

Sunday, 20 August

A blinding conclusion to the Supersense weekend will be the return of Overground: A Festival Within a Festival, the celebrated day-long showcase of improvised music originally created at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival between 2010 and 2011.

For those seeking wonder, revelation and transformation of the mind, Supersense is not to be missed.   

Supersense
Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St Kilda Road, Melbourne
Friday, 18 to Sunday, 20 August 2017
supersense.artscentremelbourne.com.au