SunRice and Cad Factory Contemporary Arts Partnership

This project in partnership between The Cad Factory and SunRice Australia explores the intersection between contemporary art, business and community. The Cad Factory have invited Japanese artists Shigeaki Iwai and Japanese born, Sydney based artist Mayu Kanamori to work with The Cad Factory artistic director, Vic McEwan, in a deep process of collaboration with the rice producing community of Coleambally in Regional NSW. The artists will work with the rice industry and the community to create a series of large scale installations and performances throughout the Rice Mill site and surrounding community in September 2013 with video, photography, sound composition and installation. Cultural exchange will take place through the involvement of the two Japanese artists and their connection to rice.

 In March 2013, Vic and Mayu spent 4 days based at the SunRice Australia's Coleamabally Rice Mill and met with its workers as well as rice growers and other community members. They will return for three weeks in September 2013 with Shigeaki to create the final installations. 

During this initial research time, Vic and Mayu gained an understanding of the rice making process, from Paddy to Plate, meeting local people and learning about sustainabiity, the future of farming and the importance of community. Watch and listen to this short 3 minute video made by Mayu and Vic during their short introductory stay at Coleambally. This video features footage of this season's first harvest and the surrounding community.

 Every sound you can hear in this video was recorded at the mill, in the storage sheds or in the rice fields. As Mayu filmed and photographed her surroundings, Vic made recordings using the mill as an instrument, recording the rhythms of conveyor belts, the sound of children walking through rice fields, the sound of rice pouring into machinery.


Listen and watch to see a beautiful and musical interpretation of Rice Production.
 Partners: The Cad Factory Website: www.cadfactory.com.au SunRice Australia Website: www.sunrice.com.au Public Relations: Sauce Communications Website: www.saucecommunications.com.au Artists: Vic McEwan Website: www.vicmcewan.com 
Mayu Kanamori Website: www.mayu.com.au Shigeaki Iwai Website: www.iwaishigeaki.com