An artist impression of the In Perilous Seas show at the Aldinga Uniting Church.

Published on 01 August 2019

In Perilous Seas

Two spectacular light projection shows, including a mesmerising tribute to the doomed Star of Greece ship, will transform a historic Aldinga building in August.

The historic 1863-built Aldinga Uniting Church will play host to the free shows by renowned audio-visual projection arts experts Illuminart on Friday 30 August as part of SALA (South Australian Living Artists Festival).

One show, In Perilous Seas (8-9pm), will tell the story of the Star of Greece, one of SA’s most famous shipwrecks, which was tragically wrecked in a violent storm off Port Willunga in 1888, killing 18 people.

City of Onkaparinga Arts and Cultural Development Team Leader Jason Haskett says the step back in time is particularly poignant, considering 11 of the sailors that lost their lives are buried in the cemetery alongside the church.

Illuminart is renowned for projections on to buildings on North Terrace and installations during Fringe, as well as national award-winning productions in Sydney, Exmouth and Rockhampton,” Jason says.

“We’re excited to host these two moving shows on what should be an unforgettable night in Aldinga.”

Limited seating will be available at the event, which kicks off at the Old Coach Road church at 6:30pm, so visitors are encouraged to arrive early.

The first show, the Port to Port Touring Show (6:30-7:30pm), is a visual story connecting South Australia’s coastal towns and their digital collaborators.

A 30-minute intermission will take place between the two one-hour shows, with tea, coffee and biscuits available for purchase from volunteers (concluding at 9pm).

In the event of wet weather, the shows will take place inside the venue.

The In Perilous Seas show will be the second City of Onkaparinga arts event to honour a southern shipwreck this month.

The 1855 sinking of the Nashwauk, which crashed ashore south of the Onkaparinga River with about 300 Irish women aboard, will feature in veteran SA broadcaster Keith Conlon’s (aka “Mr South Australia”) sold-out Horrible History of Adelaide Matinee at the Arts Centre on 14 August.

Unlike the tragic Star of Greece, however, all aboard survived.

 

IN PERILOUS SEAS

An artist impression of the In Perilous Seas show at the Aldinga Uniting Church.