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At sunset on Friday 26 September, for World Rivers Day 2025, we will join together for the UNSEEN lantern walk around the Anglesea River (known as Kuarka Dorla to the Wadawurrung).
We will gather in acknowledgement of the UNSEEN in and around the river, with handmade lanterns inspired by creative imaginings of -
the river flowing, rippling, seeping
river habitats forming, unforming
river inhabitants swimming,
burrowing, flyingriver stories sharing, telling, fading
We are hoping to encourage artists, creatives, collectives, families and groups to join us for this inaugural UNSEEN lantern walk - to share a spirit of care and respect for the river and all its inhabitants.
What was the catalyst for UNSEEN? You might have heard that the river was recently a gorgeous aqua color and transparent to the river bed. It was attracting flocks of birds, including a visiting pelican, and lots of photos. What was not seen from afar was how the fish in the river were dead and dying in that beautiful water – which of course explained the presence of the birds. UNSEEN is our opportunity to express care, respect and love and tell stories about the UNSEEN.
Why a lantern walk? To illuminate the UNSEEN by drawing on the magic and history of lantern processions and parades as collective performance practices. Our aim is that UNSEEN will build community, express big feelings, and create a shared caring for the Anglesea River..
What will be special about UNSEEN? Unlike most other lantern parades, the materials we will work with to create UNSEEN lanterns will be gathered, gifted and of the place. The glues and adhesives will be UNSEEN and biodegradable. We will carry our lanterns and take them home - leaving no trace. Unfortunately the lanterns will be illuminated with plastic LED lights so we will chat about the most respectful options - recycling, re-usability, recharge-ability, solar.
How to become involved? UNSEEN is an informal gathering that we hope others will build upon. For example, a choir might sing with us a song about lanterns, local experts on small creatures and local habitats have shared video and images of what is UNSEEN … We are hopeful that artists and groups might create lanterns and join with us on the night.
Where do I find more information? We are collecting stories, images, useful links (about the river and its inhabitants, lantern making, non-plastic glues, other materials, river stories) and sharing information about upcoming opportunities to meet up and create lanterns below. Please call pattie beerens on 0419810044 if you would like more information or have an idea to share.
UNSEEN
Acknowledgements:
The UNSEEN title was inspired by a group brainstorming session at the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts: Lantern Procession + Parade Workshop led by Valeska Populoh. The UNSEEN logo was created by Mim Hercus - the letters filled with representations of bacteria, fungi, snake and lizard stripes, bird eggs, footprints etc. The Anglesea River image was taken by photographer Tom Radtke. The drawings were created by Emma Mitchell and Mim Hercus. The UNSEEN poster entanglement was digitally crafted by pattie beerens.
UNSEEN will take place on Wadawurrung Country. We acknowledge the Wadawurrung People as the Traditional Custodians of this land and recognise their deep spiritual connection with the river they know as Kuarka Dorla. We pay our respects to their Elders, past, present, and emerging
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artists are invited to collaboratively create their UNSEEN lantern in Anglesea
Wednesday 27 + Thursday 28 August - 10am-2pm
Wednesday 3 + Thursday 4 September - 10am-2pm
Tuesday 9 + Wednesday 10 September - 10am-2pm
a kids UNSEEN lanterning session is planned for Sunday 21 September - 2-5pm
please contact me through the contact button below if you have any questions or need some encouragement to become involved :)
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news on Anglesea River management
Australia’s rivers play secret symphonies. Click to hear what this underwater world is telling us
meet Anglesea River inhabitants by John Lenagan
Is a river alive? - A Conversation with Robert Macfarlane
In this conversation, acclaimed author Robert Macfarlane asks the ancient and urgent question: is a river alive? Understanding rivers to be presences, not resources, he immerses us in the ways they “irrigate our bodies, thoughts, songs, and stories,” and how we might recognize this within our imagination and ethics.
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