MG Live
Graz

Micro Galleries Graz was a whole new kettle of Turkish pide. This was our first foray into Europe which, obviously, is a very different hunting ground to developing areas such as Denpasar and Langa – even Nowra! Europe comes with such a substantial, weighted history of institutionalised art and culture; deeply ingrained perceptions of what is 'valid' art and forms of creation and what isn't, and who is an 'artist' and who isn't.

We wanted to challenge some of these preconceived ideas about art and creation in our own small way whilst inviting the local non-native Austrian community into the fold; showing them they now have a stake in this environment and can take pride and ownership of their small pocket of community. They can enjoy it, change it, contribute to it and hopefully begin to leave their mark on it – for the betterment of all of Graz and it's culture.

Micro Galleries (Graz) presented over 50 artists/collectives/initiatives in the dynamic and vibrant cultural clash of Griesplatz. Installing in thunderstorms clutching slippery buckets of glue, the team continued to literally dance in the rain, perform emergency stencil rescues that were uncannily like an E.R episode, debate in cosy cafes and even have flamenco performed in front of gelato…and all whilst being questioned by the police whilst wearing wet t-shirts. Not a bad European summer!!

Our pop up space was an old tanning salon out the back of the newly created Cuntra La Culture cafe that also hopes to reinvigorate this area with art and culture. Opening night was PACKED. Wall-to-wall, hot, and full of music. I Love Milk stole the night with their haunting tunes and were soon backed up by a massive music jam led by the exceptionally talented Keyvan.

For the first time we ran an "Ideas Pod" where we invited local cultural leaders to come together and discuss how the area could move forward in new and dynamic, creative ways. An outcome paper was circulated to the local arts community. 6 x lane way tours, 2 x workshops, 2 x artist talks, a moving image night, Slideluck, an outdoor street cinema, 2 x DJ sessions and 2 x yoga sessions – all free and all funded almost entirely by our global community.