FROM STREET TO SKY showing at the Queensland Art Gallery

10th November 2009

Pacific Reggae: Roots Beyond the Reef

In December, the Queensland Art Gallery is presenting a project on reggae called ‘Pacific Reggae: roots beyond the reef’ as part of the upcoming Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, 5 December 2009 to 5 April 2010 at the Queensland Art Gallery, Brisbane, Australia.

‘Pacific Reggae’ responds to the vital connections that musicians from Port Vila to Auckland and Honolulu to Honiara make with reggae culture. Much Pacific reggae maintains key structural similarities to Jamaican roots music, including ‘one drop’ drumbeats, steady bass lines and chopping guitar, while the introduction of log drums, bone flutes, ukulele and electronic beats contribute to reggae’s unique sound across the Pacific. The parallel developments of home-recording studios and a proliferating music-video industry in the region have enabled a reggae scene to flourish and assert its own distinctive style

The project considers the ongoing appeal of reggae music across the region and the range of musical styles presented feature live performance as well as narrative video clips which reveal the influence, diversity and reach of reggae across the Pacific, from dub to dancehall to roots reggae. It is also screening a discreet selection of documentaries and interviews in the exhibition space, one of these will be the documentary From Street to Sky (2008) by Brave Star Films.

This film would make a significant contribution to the reggae project, and provide an important contextual context for considering the reach of reggae music across the region.


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