Rising was a 12-day festival that only lasted five hours – a brief surge of art, music and ceremony.
One of the most crushing parts of Melbourne locking down again was the cancellation of this ambitious new midwinter festival – just as it had hit the ground running.
While the wounds are still fresh a month on, you can still get a permanent piece of the festival – and show support to some of the artists involved – with Rising’s killer range of merch. It’s all for sale at the festival’s online store, which ships nationwide.
Kamilaroi/Gummaroi/Gamilaraay artist Reko Rennie – a veteran of Melbourne’s street-art scene – has contributed what he’s called the OA_RR Collection. “‘OA’ stands for ‘Original Aboriginal’,” he said in a statement. “[It] comes from OG – Original Gangster – a term used to represent someone who had achieved respect from doing what they did on the street or the neighbourhood for a long time.”
The “OA” motif runs through the collection, which includes a hypnotic pink-and-blue umbrella ($39) and this slightly less hypnotic long sleeve in black or white ($45). Both pieces tie into the rooftop mural and video work he created for Rising. And a portion of profits will go to Rennie’s nominated charity, Elizabeth Morgan House.
There’s also a wearable range from Wurundjeri/Yorta Yorta artist Aunty Zeta Thomson, based on her 2021 Art Tram contribution Mookies Around the Waterhole. The work was inspired by a Yorta Yorta cultural story about crossing country and depicts spirit figures dancing in front of scar trees. Her collection includes a chic black rain slicker ($55), a glow-in-the-dark long sleeve ($45) and a super-cute kid’s version ($25), and a tote bag ($29). Her chosen charity is Wildlife Victoria.
Staying in tote territory, Melbourne streetwear label Perks and Mini (PAM) has teamed up with dance company Chunky Move – which was set to stage hybrid dance party and dance performance Yung Lung at Rising – on an oversized tote bag ($150). There are two colourways – black and white – each with a washed chambray and digitally printed patch. Only 50 of the limited-edition bags are for sale, so get in quick.
Also available are Rising-branded keep cups ($20), plus
beanies ($30) and scarves $39 printed with the phases of the moon. (An inflatable, seven-metre-high sculpture of the moon was due to be part of Rising, but Melburnians can catch it in the outer suburbs from June 25 to July 4.)
Rising ships Australia-wide.
