Things are getting a little weird in the west this summer. From November 29 to December 9 two Australian performance artists, Neil Thomas and David Wells, are hosting a surreal, dream-like arts pop-up in Werribee.
Red Arcade, produced by Wyndham City, is a free, immersive and site-specific installation filled with light, art, performance and interactive opportunities. Thomas and Wells will transform Werribee’s Watton Plaza into another world, where everything from the walls to the ground you walk on is filled with tricks and surprises.
As you explore the uncanny space and meet its bizarre characters you’ll completely forget that you’re right in the heart of Melbourne’s western suburbs. Red Arcade is the collective work of more than 100 artists and members of the community including design and fabrication company Big Fish, lighting designer Ben 'Bosco' Shaw, musician and sound designer Patrick Cronin and many more.
The lead creatives for Red Arcade, Thomas and Wells, have over 30 years' experience making curious installations across Australia. Previously the duo have worked together on projects for Melbourne Festival, Sydney Festival, Perth Festival and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. One of their most well-known works is the ‘Urban Dream Capsule’, a durational installation where visitors to the Bourke Street located work could watch five bald men 24 hours a day.
Red Arcade is open for a total of 11 days in the lead-up to the holiday period – making it the perfect fantastical escape during a bit of Christmas shopping at Werribee City Centre. It’s free to attend and is open 11am-5pm Monday to Thursday and 11am-7pm Friday through to Sunday.
