DIAGRAMMATICA /
Artist Internship
An Award Winning Performance for Rising Festival
MAY 2023 - JUNE 2024 + MAY 2025
2023 - 2024 /
Learning,
Playing, and
Building Assets.
INTRO:
From May 2023 - June 2024, I assisted in the development & production of what became DIAGRAMMATICA; a FED SQUARE / RISING FESTIVAL 2025 project, created by Jason Maling in collaboration with sound artists Madeleine Flynn & Tim Humphrey, as well as filmmaker Rhian Hinkley.
Part live drawing, durational performance and participatory ritual, DIAGRAMMATICA invites people into a shifting system of co-creation through sculpture, film, spatial sound, and improvised music.
DIRECTION:
When Jason first invited me onto this project, it was still in it’s early conception. He had already established his inspiration in physics diagrams, astral photography, and graphic musical scores, as well as his interests and reference in early modernist art movements. With a newfound excitement and appreciation for these themes, we continued to discuss his goals and ideas, and little by little, Jason brought me into his thinking and vision for what would manifest.
LEARNING TO PLAY:
Sifting through a library of Jason’s out-of-context diagrams, we began exploring the notion of blurring meaning. This began with the curation and collaging of said diagrams, whilst simultaneously stripping these pieces of their purpose - Omitting numerics and labels, we gradually de-annotated systems, leaving behind only the gestural traces of formula.
Through this study, we inadvertently built a model of visual themes that read as pseudo-meaningful compositions. The parts of these compositions were then used for us to better extract inspiration for our modules, as well as imagine how they could come together to build full drawings.
APPLICATION:
This basis of reference then informed our production trials. We explored multitudes of printmaking and painting techniques, as well as how our different methodology effected visual and physical scale, shape, colour, and texture - creating Assets. On top of my initial role of assisting the production of Assets, we also needed to refine and manufacture our construction system. For this, we tried all sorts of different blocks, different rods, and different measurements.
Working and developing over the course of a year, we explored and refined these items until we had a functioning system of handheld, easily constructible mobile-scaffolds, as well as a full suite of picture components. Ranging vastly in size and shape with all sorts of different textures and colours, these components successfully made for sculptures that were dynamic, easily edited, and stable in their reference to data and diagram-like visuals.
COMPONENT PRODUCTION ASSISTANT - My primary job for Jason Maling’s DIAGRAMMATICA was to help design, print, cut, and overall, build our library of shape components.
The tangible deliverables throughout my time on DIAGRAMMATICA, include the editing of grant application videography, and the assistance of: shape asset production, scaffolding production, and user testings:
COMPONENT DRAWING AND PAINTING:
For our library of shapes, I worked predominately on spray painting both freehand and with found stencils, as well as sun printing with different cyanotype formulas, and charcoal drawings made with a DIY compass. These applications would take place either directly on plain board, or on sheets that we would paste and trim flush with said board. This also led to interesting outcomes of slicing and cropping larger designs.
MODULAR SCAFFOLDING SYSTEM:
After many minor tweaks and revisions, we landed on a sufficient system of building blocks for our scalable sculpture making practise. Once Jason had cut down our timber into his desired lengths, I would measure, drill-press, sand, and spray paint our modules.
A shit ton of them.
USER TESTING:
On top of the occasional small build and personal trials, we would also hold group testings involving the amazing team of Rhian Hinkley on Film Design, with his magical long exposure techniques seen in the final version of the project, as well as Madeleine Flynn & Tim Humphrey with sound design and live performance. These welcome additions, plus the rest of the team such as Torie Nimmervoll and I, would run dress-rehearsal days where we would test and respond to the working pace and success of the project.
OUTCOME:
Working under Jason Maling of Strange Engine was a great privilege. It was amazing to be invited in to such an important project, especially one involving such a potent crossover of play and consideration. It was also interesting being witness of something so big, from so early on in it’s conception. I got to see how these kinds of ideas get shared, rearranged, and tested, all the way through to a final outcome of such magnitude.
Being a fly on the wall around such talented people was enjoyable enough, but to my surprise, during team discussions and trials I would be treated with equal respect as anyone else, allowing me to share my own ideas and directions in ways that were always met with curiosity and acceptance.
I worked with new tools and I developed new skills, but my time spent working on DIAGRAMMATICA was an incredibly insightful, exciting, and gratifying experience, not because of the jobs I was tasked with, but because of the rooms I was let into, and the people I was surrounded by.
Scroll For Part 02 MAY 2023 - JUNE 2024
2025 /
Bump In,
Installation,
Bump Out.
RISING FESTIVAL 2026. FED SQUARE - Months later, Jason & the team were ready to bump for the debut. I helped with some set up, and was later able to experience the space as a participant.
RISING :
DIAGRAMMATICA now had it’s first home; situated in the Atrium of FED SQUARE, with our performance space down below in the depths of SLOT 9, a bunker hidden underneath Flinders Station.
We would require the transportation of an entire project, placed both above and below ground.
I spent some time helping out, unpacking in the loading dock, transporting items across floors, as well as organising and setting up stations in the bunker down below.
OUTCOME:
The first iteration was presented by Strange Engine with Federation Square (Melbourne) and RISING, June 3–15, 2025.
RISING went great, with booked out sessions, and great reception from participants. Such an amazing experience for everyone included, hosts and all.
EDIT: WINNER, OUTSTANDING WORK - 2026 Green Room Awards (Contemporary & Experimental Performance), also nominated for: Outstanding Design, Outstanding Technical Achievement.
MAY 2025
