Umbrella's: colourful objects designed to protect us from the elements- come rain or sun the umbrella will keep us safe! But an umbrella is also something that creates a defined space around us: an intimate space we can chose to protect or share and therefore the perfect motif to respond to our 2010 festival theme of What is space?

Using the umbrella as a physical manifestation of 'individual space', the project umbrella momentum is the platform to express ideas of how individuals and groups feel and interact with their personal and intimate spaces.

Umbrella Installations: Groups of artists and young people are designing umbrellas artistically to express individual/ group experiences of space. These umbrellas will then be utilised in numerous visual art installations across Launceston city. These include:

Broken Umbrellas:  A large 3D sculpture, responding to the umbrella as a protection device and inspired by the shapes of discarded broken umbrellas.
Venue: Cameron St opposite Hotel Grand Chancellor
Artist: Andrew Shepherdson
Funding: Festivals Australia

Rain Sonnet:  All the words ever spoken, written or thought become encased in raindrops and kept in the clouds. Eventually the clouds become so full that the words spill over and fall back to earth encased in the tiny drops of rain. Rather than repelling the rain drops this skirt catches them. The magic of language is far too precious to be wasted.
Venue: Genders Laneway off Cameron St
Artist: Sonja Hindrum
Funding: Festivals Australia

Umbrellas in Space
A celebration of community creativity in the form of individually decorated umbrellas suspended in the Brisbane Street mall under cover area.
Venue: Launceston Mall Brisbane Street
Artists: Ralf Haertel, Andrew Shepherdson & community
Funding: Australia Council for the Arts, Education Department


Bloomin' Trees: Launceston is fortunate to possess a collection of significant trees within its parks, public spaces and private gardens. This installation uses form and colour to highlight a selection of deciduous trees located in the central city. The umbrellas are hung as a celebration of trees, like baubles and tinsel, playing with the sense of scale whilst adding an element of humour. On a more serious side the work draws attention to the need for more trees in our inner city areas.
Venue:  Civic Square.
Artists: Kirby Brown Landscape Architects
Funding: Festivals Australia


Umbrellas on the move
Look out for Umbrellas as they are used in our various art trails and performances throughout the festival, culminating in a colourful and imaginative street party with dancers creating a mass Umbrella dance aimed at breaking a Guinness world record. The ultimate Umbrella Momentum!

Wherever you look in central Launceston this week, an umbrella may catch your eye! Click here to view the 'Who'll Stop the Rain' video featured at ABC

Be involved All Ages All Abilities for the Streets Alive Flash Mob to be held on the street on Sunday 29th August 12.00pm Brisbane Street.

Free Community Workshops will be held at the Studio at 29 York St - up the drive. Choreography by Bec Reid with support from Cindy Foster and her team.

Workshop Dates & Times
Friday 20th August 4 - 6pm & 6.30 - 8.00pm
Saturday 21st August 12 - 2 pm or 2.30 - 4.30 pm
Friday 27th August 4 - 6pm & 6.30 - 8.00pm
Saturday 28th August 12 - 2pm, Venue TBC, Bring Nibbles, ALL REQUIRED

For enquires Contact
Cindy Foster ph 0404380915 email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Or Kim  ph 043 700 3200 email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Venue: Throughout Launceston CBD Culminating in Brisbane St Sunday 29th August 12 pm
Artists: Bec Reid & Cindy Foster
Funding: Festivals Australia, Education Department