SALA Moving Image project
Higher Ground
Rundle St
Until Thurs 17 Aug
All other exhibitions until Thurs 31 Aug

Every year Adelaideans are literally swamped with the vibrating, ever-multiplying organism that is the SALA festival. Indeed, for the love of art we succumb to over two weeks of walking, talking, wining, dining, looking, watching, dancing, touching, admiring, scrutinizing, criticizing, and philosophizing in our attempt to better appreciate or understand the many facets of the art world.

And, as one would expect of a festival that prides itself on its 'all inclusivity', the SALA Festival has become known for its extremely wide parameters of artistic talent. From the professional artists of the Art Gallery of South Australia's SALA exhibit, to the humble hobby artists' sketches in small rooms above local pubs - all is equal in the democracy of SALA.

If hours of walking is not your scene, however, a good way to experience most of these vibes is by visiting Higher Ground, located next door to Palace Cinemas. A microcosm of everything SALA, Higher Ground is currently exhibiting works by 16 artists offering painting, photography, music, and performance, as well as the 'SALA Moving Image Project'.

From the small TV screens in the cafŽ, to a large projection on a helium balloon in the main theatre, right down to the cheesy snakes 'n' ladders stairwells from the original IMAX era, Higher Ground is a humble but diverse space, and the artworks are equally wide-ranging.

Although navigating through the current exhibitions ('Hokku - The Four Seasons', 'East End Factor', 'Living Dreams', 'Ruru (Tie Together)', and the 'SALA Moving Image Project') can get a little confusing, it's possible to find some gems if you take the time to peruse all the rooms, floors, and corridors of art on offer. The main theatre, for example, features work by five different Moving Image artists. Sam Oster's exploration of the "electrical landscape" using three small televisions is set against Jasmin McAllister's large-scale nature projections onto a specially constructed helium balloon. All five works portray the audacious and loud together with the silent, still and moody, yet each work on display successfully commands equal attention.

Walk up several flights of stairs and you will find yourself in Francesca Da Rimini and Michael Grimm's dark theatre of pulsating electronic beats and boot-camp-like imagery of children as well as footage of mice in cross-formation maze experiments.

In complete contrast are the artworks in 'Hokku - The Four Seasons'. Based on abstract interpretations of famous haiku, the four artists of 'Hokku...' use photography, paint, and delicate sketches to describe the four seasons in a coherent set of visual stanzas. Hung in the Higher Ground cafŽ/bar, there's no better excuse to grab a coffee or a glass of wine, kick back on one of the couches with some friends, and celebrate, debate, and recap the many joys of the SALA festival.

Lauren Sutter





"Home is a Heavenly Body, Water and Air" by Jasmin McAllister, from the
SALA Moving Image Project.





"Summer" by Robin Tatlow-Lord, from "Hokku - The Four Seasons"