The Stars Descend
Five towns, Five teams of artists, Five chapters, One story …
Wooditchup (Margaret River)
Northcliffe
Borongur (Porongurup)
Fitzgerald Biosphere (Ravensthorpe)
Karlkurla / Garlgula (Kalgoorlie)
Illustrations by Michelle Frantom
About The Stars Descend
The Stars Descend created a 1000 km trail of five contemporary dance performances, aimed at transforming how people see and care for our country. Inspired by eco-restoration efforts across the Gondwana Link, it showcased the importance of climate action and restoring health to the land, as well as conveying hope to audiences. The Stars Descend story unfolded over five regional locations from 17 March – 1 April, 2023.
Each location is a chapter in the story co-created by some of Western Australia’s most vibrant artists, including choreographers, dancers and sound recordists, working with local community members.
Performances took place in spectacular outdoor settings to celebrate the rich biodiversity and ongoing restoration along the Gondwana Link’s 1000 kilometre ecological pathway.
Stars are a powerful symbol of hope, agency, and action, representing ideas of deep time and the interconnectedness of people and the natural world.
Annette Carmichael projects, July 2022. Image: Nic Duncan
Gondwana Link’s Amanda Keesing and Keith Bradby with Annette Carmichael, celebrating the start of The Stars Descend project in 2021. Image: Lauren McKenzie
Gondwana Link’s role…
Through Heartland Journeys and other efforts, Gondwana Link was delighted to partner with Annette Carmichael Projects to help reveal the extraordinary world of the Gondwana Link to audiences.
By travelling with us through the 1000 km of Heartland Journeys, audience members experienced forests, mallee and heathlands, and the world’s largest temperate woodland.
Event insights
The Stars Descend Event Program features insights from Annette Carmichael and Gondwana Link’s Keith Bradby, and outlines of the stories conveyed in the five dance chapters.
Here’s CHAPTER ONE: “Our story starts in Wooditjup Margaret River. The stars feel the oceans rising up towards them, they feel the land’s peril and turn their gaze downwards, they see us…. and decide to descend.
As they fall into the Indian Ocean the birds of the Great Western Woodlands see them fall, and call out in alarm.
Hearing the birds call, the stars transition into the sea stars of the Leeuwin current and crawl ashore.”
Click on the photos to see the gallery …
Mikey Chapter 1 The Stars Descend, Image: Christopher Young
Mikey Chapter 1 The Stars Descend, Image: Christopher Young
Adelina Larsson leading rehearsal, Chapter 1 The Stars Descend, Image: Christopher Young
Adelina Larsson leading rehearsal, Chapter 1 The Stars Descend, Image: Christopher Young
Choreopgrapher Sonya Stephen leads rehearsals for The Stars Descend, Porongurup by Annette Carmichael Projects, Photo by Nic Duncan-029
Choreopgrapher Sonya Stephen leads rehearsals for The Stars Descend, Porongurup by Annette Carmichael Projects. Image: Nic Duncan
The men of The Stars Descend, Porongurup by Annette Carmichael Projects, Photo by Nic Duncan-067
The men of The Stars Descend, Porongurup by Annette Carmichael Projects. Image: Nic Duncan
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The Stars Descend rehearsals. Image: Nic Duncan
The cast of Chapter 1, The Stars Descend in rehearsal, Margaret River. Image: Christopher Young
The cast of Chapter 1, The Stars Descend in rehearsal, Margaret River. Image: Christopher Young
Community cast and artists for Community in rehear…e Carmichael Projects. Image: Nic Duncan
Community cast and artists for Community in rehear…e Carmichael Projects. Image: Nic Duncan
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The Stars Descend rehearsals. Image: Nic Duncan
Community in rehearsal for The Stars Descend, Porongurup by Annette Carmichael Projects, Photo by Nic Duncan-022
Community in rehearsal for The Stars Descend, Porongurup by Annette Carmichael Projects, Image: Nic Duncan
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Distributed 15 Thread Three. Image: Nic Duncan
In rehearsal Chapter 1 The Stars Descend, Margaret River – Annette Carmichael Projects Image: Christopher Young
In rehearsal Chapter 1 The Stars Descend, Margaret River – Annette Carmichael Projects Image: Christopher Young
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Anthony Coxeter – Distributed 15 Thread Three. Image: Nic Duncan
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Distributed 15 Thread Three. Image: Nic Duncan
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Distributed 15 Thread Three. Image: Nic Duncan
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Annette Carmichael, Distributed 15 Thread Three. Image: Nic Duncan
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Annette Carmichael Projects, July 2022. Image: Nic Duncan
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The Stars Descend Rehearsals. Image: Nic Duncan
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The Stars Descend rehearsals. Image: Nic Duncan
Community in rehearsal for The Stars Descend, Porongurup by Annette Carmichael Projects, Photo by Nic Duncan-019
Community in rehearsal for The Stars Descend, Porongurup by Annette Carmichael Projects. Image: Nic Duncan
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Distributed 15 Thread Three. Image: Nic Duncan
Janine Oxenham In rehearsal Chapter 1 The Stars Descend, Margaret River – Annette Carmichael Projects Image: Christopher Young
Janine Oxenham In rehearsal Chapter 1 The Stars Descend, Margaret River – Annette Carmichael Projects Image: Christopher Young
In rehearsal Chapter 1 The Stars Descend, Margaret River – Annette Carmichael Projects Image: Christopher Young
In rehearsal Chapter 1 The Stars Descend, Margaret River – Annette Carmichael Projects Image: Christopher Young
In rehearsal Chapter 1 The Stars Descend, Annette Carmichael Projects Image: Christopher Young
In rehearsal Chapter 1 The Stars Descend, Margaret River – Annette Carmichael Projects Image: Christopher Young
The Stars Descend project was supported by:
And supported locally by:
The Stars Descend project is supported by:
And supported locally by:
To donate to Gondwana Link’s work of connecting people and nature
through eco-restoration and conservation, please click here
Don’t forget to check out our stories of the wonderful people and nature across the Gondwana Link
To donate to Gondwana Link’s
work of connecting people and
nature through eco-restoration
and conservation, please
click here
Don’t forget to check out
our stories of the wonderful
people and nature across the
Gondwana Link