THAW - Nelson Arts Festival

High above the harbour, suspended by a crane on 2.7 tonnes of ice, a figure - isolated on a melting platform - struggles for balance. As sunset approaches what will be left? We are confronted and inspired by their determination to adapt and survive. There's no time to waste.

Over eight hours in one day, Legs On The Wall brings death-defying beauty to the current climate crisis, with THAW.

THAW resonates with us all, as we each grapple with our own role in the climate emergency and commit to our collective obligation to a sustainable future.

Performed by three artists throughout the day, you are invited to gather at any time to witness the ice melting beneath them.

Beyond the show, THAW calls on audience members to funnel their energy from witnessing the spectacle of the work towards taking real tangible steps to climate justice, inviting you to participate, have your say, support grassroots campaigns, and green-up your own act.

JOIN US:
Make your own iceberg and contribute to a community generated artwork designed by visual artist extraordinaire Gabby O'Connor, hear four of our brightest minds discuss where we are now in The Crucial Decade or find other ways to enact your own climate action alongside experiencing THAW.

Join us in this journey - let the art be only the beginning!

THAW has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

Legs On The Wall is supported by the NSW Government through Create NSW.

Image Credit: Prudence Upton | Performer in the image: Jenni Large

LEGS ON THE WALL
Founded in Sydney’s Inner West in 1984, Legs On The Wall is a diverse and vibrant physical theatre company which tours nationally and internationally. The Legs team create and present compelling original works, always engaging heightened physicality and finding new ways to kick against gravity. Our latest production THAW is an iconic example of the company’s performative tackling of the current climate crisis, demonstrating how the company prioritises telling socially and culturally relevant and thought-provoking stories through physical language; pushing the boundaries of expectation. Together with its performance program, Legs On The Wall cultivates collaborations, residencies, mentorships and skills training with artists, and arts organisations in the physical theatre and wider creative industries, as well as a longstanding education partnership with the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association.

This event is part of the 2022 Nelson Arts Festival.