Chatswood Year of the Dragon launch 2024

Examining the significance of the moon and how it is reflected across cultures, Passage of Night; Luminary Rising explores diverse historical, cultural and religious relationships to the moon, extending the Lunar New Year celebration to other cultures and connecting it to Country.

The opening event will include speeches, drinks, nibbles and performances by Charlie Yan and Frankie Chow.

To be opened by Willoughby Mayor, Cr Tanya Taylor.

Welcome to Country: Auntie Jeanie Moran.

Guest speaker: Rachael Kiang, Co-curator.

Launch performance program

Bian lian performance by Charlie Yan.

Witness the colour and drama of traditional Chinese bian lian. Drawn from Sichuan opera, Charlie Yan uses costume, a fan and music to mystify the audience with this ancient practice of face-changing to depict multiple characters.

All ages.

4000K/sweet-osmanthus performance by Frankie Chow.

4000K/sweet-osmanthus references the fruitless labour performed by the Chinese immortal woodcutter, Wu Gang, who was punished to chop down a self-healing osmanthus tree on the moon for an eternity. The artist sits above a floodlight that radiates blinding light and heat. For an hour, the artist uses a folding fan to cool down the light source. Cast shadows accentuate the performance lit by the floodlight in 4000K, the colour temperature closest to moonlight.

All ages.

Image: Charlie Yan, Face-Changing performance. Image courtesy of the Artist