Sandy and Thomas will use ubiquitous modern hardware to create artworks that speak to the integration of human and non-human elements of power and place.


Using solar technology designed to charge mobile phones and other handheld devices in remote communities such as the outer islands of Vanuatu, Sandy and Thomas will demonstrate the alternative use of technology. People in Vanuatu are well known for transforming sewing machines into tattoo guns, flotsam and jetsam into musical instruments, and flora into just about anything. For this residency project, Sandy and Thomas will use solar power mobile charges to light up artworks that reflect an Islander pragmatic-aesthetic.

Bio

Sandy Sur is the Manager of the Leweton Cultural Group. The Leweton Cultural Group has stunned audiences at World Expo 2008 in Zaragova, several European Union diplomatic functions, the Rainforest World Music Festival in Borneo, the Bellingen Global Carnival, Queensland Music Festival, and the Floating Land Festival in Australia and the Lukaotem Gud Santo Festival in Vanuatu. The water music of Vanuatu is a once-in-a-lifetime performance that needs to be seen (and heard) to be believed. Thomas is a customary chief and leader from Merelava in Vanuatu. A skilled carver, weaver, and craftsman, Thomas is adept at using elements of the natural world as well as found objects and ubiquitous technical items such as wire, rope, etc to create functional and beautiful objects.