Birds Without Borders

Abstract

The project is to create a large-­‐scale puppetry event, based on the theme of migratory birds, for the Upwelling parade. The region around Portland is a destination for many migratory bird species because they rely largely on the Bonney Upwelling and the phytoplankton that feeds the marine food web. The message is local as well as global. Through these birds and their flyway, we are directly connected to other parts of the world.

The process would be three-­‐fold: one part educational, one part artistic, one part performance. The first part of the workshop would be a presentation and discussion about the journey of migratory birds across the globe, and the importance of the Glenelg area as a crucial point on that journey. The second part of the workshop would be puppet-­‐making. These large-­‐scale puppets would form the focal point of the parade.

The last stage of the process, the performance aspect, would be to create a symbolic “flyway” in the town of Portland, mapping out the key points on the birds journey throughout the town, such as Siberia, Mongolia, Taiwan, South East Asia, Broome and the Portland area.