Solace
Inspired by State Library Victoria’s contemplative spaces, Solace is a mini-library of interactive, sensory artworks, for you to choose from and immerse yourself within.
Listen to whale song at the Redmond Barry Reading Room, follow the white rabbit through bookshelves and squeaking chairs in the iconic Dome, and carve out moments of respite, comfort and imagination.
Presented and commissioned by State Library Victoria, as part of the Alchemy program, Solace is free to stream on your device until October 2024. Sign up for free on your mobile device anywhere, anytime. Solace only needs an internet connection and is best experienced with headphones.
Collaborating artists
Solace was co-created by:
Melinda Hetzel (artistic direction)
Steph O'Hara (software/sound design)
Pia Johnson (photography/video)
in collaboration with:
Nick Barlow (performer/costume designer/collaborator)
Rachel Edward (video editor)
Samuel Gaskin (performer/musician)
Kaite Head (launch stage manager)
Wen-Juenn Lee (associate writer)
Aaron Moodie (digital/UX design)
Hannah Murphy (associate producer)
Emily O’Brien (risk consultant)
Matt O'Hara (voice artist/launch assistant stage manager)
Gabrielle Ng (performer, instructional video)
Lauren Sheree (performer, pitch video)
Sunday Smith (camera assistant/video editor)
Kate Sulan (dramaturg)
Lenka Vanderboom (consultant/collaborator)
in consultation with:
Aunty Diane Kerr OAM (Welcome to Country), Aunty Julianne Axford, Aunty Gail Smith, Charley Woolmore (Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation).
With thanks to:
Simon Abrahams, Amir Aridi, Jacinta Anderson, Linda Angeloni, Selene Bateman, Matt Bell, Ian Bone, Bianca Bowman, Matthew Butler, Richard Chambers, Fayen D’Evie, Marita Dyson, Carly Findlay OAM, Sue Giles AM, Caitlin Gilmour, Nilgun Guven, Lauren Hayes, Obi Heron, Tessa Hildebrand-Burke, Matt Hirst, Elaine Johnson, Carla Johnson, Annie Jones, Jess Kapucinski-Evans, Anna Killigrew, Belinda Locke, Kim Marriott, Will Mcrostie, Tom Middleditch, Greg Murphy, Deidre O’Brien, Pippa O’Brien, Gabriel O’Hara, Juanita Pope, Claire Portek, Tara Prowse, Samantha Roberts, Narda Shanley, Meg Simondson, Aysha Tufa, Peter Tullin, Harriet Wallace-Mead, Angharad Wynne-Jones and all the other SLV staff who supported our process.
Supported by City of Melbourne Arts Grants. This project received Cash to Create and Cash for Equity through the Fringe Fund, with thanks to the Pulse Giving Circle.
Image Description: A person lying down, with their eyes closed. They wear a patchwork-pattered shirt and blue headphones. They hold a black mobile phone to their chest. Photo: Pia Johnson.
Listen to whale song at the Redmond Barry Reading Room, follow the white rabbit through bookshelves and squeaking chairs in the iconic Dome, and carve out moments of respite, comfort and imagination.
Presented and commissioned by State Library Victoria, as part of the Alchemy program, Solace is free to stream on your device until October 2024. Sign up for free on your mobile device anywhere, anytime. Solace only needs an internet connection and is best experienced with headphones.
Collaborating artists
Solace was co-created by:
Melinda Hetzel (artistic direction)
Steph O'Hara (software/sound design)
Pia Johnson (photography/video)
in collaboration with:
Nick Barlow (performer/costume designer/collaborator)
Rachel Edward (video editor)
Samuel Gaskin (performer/musician)
Kaite Head (launch stage manager)
Wen-Juenn Lee (associate writer)
Aaron Moodie (digital/UX design)
Hannah Murphy (associate producer)
Emily O’Brien (risk consultant)
Matt O'Hara (voice artist/launch assistant stage manager)
Gabrielle Ng (performer, instructional video)
Lauren Sheree (performer, pitch video)
Sunday Smith (camera assistant/video editor)
Kate Sulan (dramaturg)
Lenka Vanderboom (consultant/collaborator)
in consultation with:
Aunty Diane Kerr OAM (Welcome to Country), Aunty Julianne Axford, Aunty Gail Smith, Charley Woolmore (Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation).
With thanks to:
Simon Abrahams, Amir Aridi, Jacinta Anderson, Linda Angeloni, Selene Bateman, Matt Bell, Ian Bone, Bianca Bowman, Matthew Butler, Richard Chambers, Fayen D’Evie, Marita Dyson, Carly Findlay OAM, Sue Giles AM, Caitlin Gilmour, Nilgun Guven, Lauren Hayes, Obi Heron, Tessa Hildebrand-Burke, Matt Hirst, Elaine Johnson, Carla Johnson, Annie Jones, Jess Kapucinski-Evans, Anna Killigrew, Belinda Locke, Kim Marriott, Will Mcrostie, Tom Middleditch, Greg Murphy, Deidre O’Brien, Pippa O’Brien, Gabriel O’Hara, Juanita Pope, Claire Portek, Tara Prowse, Samantha Roberts, Narda Shanley, Meg Simondson, Aysha Tufa, Peter Tullin, Harriet Wallace-Mead, Angharad Wynne-Jones and all the other SLV staff who supported our process.
Supported by City of Melbourne Arts Grants. This project received Cash to Create and Cash for Equity through the Fringe Fund, with thanks to the Pulse Giving Circle.
Image Description: A person lying down, with their eyes closed. They wear a patchwork-pattered shirt and blue headphones. They hold a black mobile phone to their chest. Photo: Pia Johnson.
