2Q18
Saturday 24th February
6pm - 11pm
Testing Grounds
1 City Road, Southbank
VIC 3006 Australia
2Q18 is a one-night-only event featuring performances, interactive art, and installations which respond to themes in Haruki Murakami’s novel 1Q84.
Murakami’s 1Q84 is set in the year 1984. The novel is named as such because in the opening chapter a character decides to do something ‘out of the ordinary,’ and emerges in a place that is not quite 1984 anymore.
"1Q84 – that’s what I’ll call this new world, Aomame decided.
Q is for “question mark.” A world that bears a question."
- Haruki Murakami, 1Q84
Aomame, the central character finds that the appearance of things has changed and begins to question what is real. As the book progresses one starts to wonder whether she inhabits a parallel universe.
The intention with this event is to bring together artists and works that in some way question reality. Exhibiting artists include: Alrey Batol, Courtney Coombs, Xanthe Dobbie, Wesley Dowling, Ceri Hann, Half Asian (David Creed and Akiko Yamasaki), Ruth McConchie, Dhana Merritt, Angela Rossitto, Sha Sarwari, Karl Shoobridge and T.O.D.
The Wandering Room (David Creed and Angela Rossitto) and guests will also host a five-hour book club responding to 1Q84. We invite people to take part in the activities and discussions.
Download essay HERE
Download booklet artwork by Trio Of Dips HERE
Photographs and video footage by Michael Gordon Hill.

2Q18

Half Asian performance

Half Asian performance

The Wandering Room, 1Q84 Book Club

Ceri Hann's casino betting chips at The Wandering Room's1Q84 Book Club

The Wandering Room, 1Q84 Book Club

Ceri Hann, King of Denial

Angela Rossitto, Smithereens

Dhana Merritt's blend of tea, 4321Q

Dhana Merritt's blend of tea, 4321Q

Serving Dhana Merritt's tea, 4321Q, at The Wandering Room's 1Q84 Book Club

Drinking Dhana Merritt's tea, 4321Q, at The Wandering Room's 1Q84 Book Club

Ceri Hann, King of Denial

Angela Rossitto, Smithereens

Alrey Batol, Mausoleum

Alrey Batol, Mausoleum

Alrey Batol, Mausoleum

Alrey Batol, Mausoleum

Alrey Batol, Mausoleum
Alrey Batol, Mausoleum

2Q18

Wesley Dowling, Paradox

Wesley Dowling, Paradox

Wesley Dowling, Paradox

Wesley Dowling, Paradox
Wesley Dowling, Paradox

Xanthe Dobbie, Circle Jerk, installation view

Xanthe Dobbie, Circle Jerk, still image from video

Xanthe Dobbie, Circle Jerk, still image from video

Half Asian performance

Half Asian performance

Karl Shoobridge, Untitled

Karl Shoobridge, Untitled

Karl Shoobridge, Untitled

Sha Sarwari, Untitled

Sha Sarwari, Untitled

Ruth McConchie's Octopolis Embassy

Ruth McConchie's Octopolis Embassy

Ruth McConchie's Octopolis Embassy

Ruth McConchie's Octopolis Embassy

Courtney Coombs, Full Moon

Courtney Coombs, Full Moon

The Wandering Room's 1Q84 Book Club and visitors reading Trio of Dips booklet

Dhana Merritt's tea blend, 4321Q

Angela Rossitto, Smithereens

Angela Rossitto, Smithereens

2Q18

Ceri Hann, King of Denial

Ceri Hann, King of Denial

Ceri Hann, King of Denial

Ceri Hann, King of Denial

Ceri Hann, King of Denial

2Q18

Angela Rossitto, Smithereens

Angela Rossitto, Smithereens

Angela Rossitto, Smithereens
Half Asian performing their song Spooner Blues at 2Q18