Stories of the Spirit Realm: kajoo yannaga (come on let’s walk together)
Join the creative team behind kajoo yannaga (come on let’s walk together) to unpack the layered processes, practices and ideas that contributed to the realisation of this work.
XR headliner kajoo yannaga is a boundary-pushing new screen work that redefines the potential of First Nations–led screen culture in Australia. Leveraging emerging and experimental digital technologies and guided by First Nations knowledges, this immersive two-channel projection leads audiences through a circular cinematic story within a gamified journey. Join the creative team to unpack the layered processes, practices and ideas that exemplify self-determination and allyship in action.
Speakers: April Phillips, Warren Ngarrae Foster Snr, Warren Foster Jnr aka Prodikal-1, Pat Younis, Mark Leahy and Jordan East.
Audiences are encouraged to attend the experience prior to the talk.
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April Phillips is a Wiradjuri-Scottish woman of the galari/kalari peoples, based on the Yuin Nation. She is aligned with representations of Indigenous futurism and intergenerational healing. In 2023, she was awarded Women in Digital’s Emerging Star of the Year award, attributed to innovation and social impact. Her art practice is cemented in digital arts, illustration, printmaking, AR research and experimentation with ceramics and glass. April leans into character design as a narrative tool to explore empathy, fun and form. Her use of vivid colour and unlikely digital processes celebrates the potential of computer art for a new world.
Warren Ngarrae Foster Snr (Yuin Djiringanj) is a multifaceted artist. He is a talented musician, actor, singer/songwriter and hip-hop performer. Performing on both the national and international stage, Warren has supported Mark Atkins, William Barton, Davis Leha and Neil Murray in performance. Significantly, Warren Ngarrae Foster is a valued Yuin community leader, knowledge keeper and sharer. His extensive study and exploration of Djiringanj culture has seen him engaged as a cultural advisor by the National Museum of Australia, Bangarra Dance Company and the National Library.
Warren Foster Jnr aka Prodikal-1 (Yuin Djiringanj) started learning and practising culture and traditional style dancing from a very young age under the teachings of his father Warren Foster Snr, founder of the Gulaga Dancers and holder of traditional culture and knowledge for the Far South Coast. Warren is also an actor, writer and performing artist, performing original music in the form of rap/hip-hop, funk, folk and also country. In 2020, Warren claimed his name Prodikal-1 to purse his rap/hip-hop career. Prodikal-1 has a unique sound and a powerful message and has wowed crowds at Wanderer Festival, Ngana Birrung, Coastchella and Parramatta Lanes, billed alongside the likes of JK-47, Barkaa, Kobie Dee, Urthboy, Justice Crew, AGirl and Nooky, to name a few.
Pat Younis develops storytelling sequences in media arts and film contexts, leaning into computer logic, digital tools and collaborative practice to build ambitious immersive experiences. Working as a virtual art director and VFX professional, Pat delivers a broad range of cross-media hybrids to achieve screen-based works. Pat is committed to knowledge-sharing practices to invest in projects that build community for media artists.
Mark Leahy is an Irish-Australian musician, composer, sound designer, producer and educator. He explores the rhythmically unconventional and experimental approaches to composition and improvisation. His work is characterised by the integration of elements from pop, ambient, jazz, rock, contemporary, soundtrack and world music.
Jordan East works across video, projection, interactive installations and theatre – often collaborating with improvisational musicians, exploring the intersection of experimental electronic music and video, or interfacing performers and audiences with the work through sensors. His practice aims to blend the real with virtual, and often includes procedural animation, photogrammetry, real-time generative processes, or workflows that explore the ever-changing landscape of technology.
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