ANAT SPECTRA 2025 brought together Australian artists working at the intersections of art, science, and technology to explore the ethics and possibilities of reciprocal exchange. The program traced reciprocity across planetary, cultural, ecological, and technological systems, asking how reciprocity conceptually, materially, and as a lived experience might guide us.

“So many good things: the program, the venue, the local support, the catering, the tech, the vibe, the First Nations framing, and even the weather, which I’m sure you would have dialled in!”
Alumnus, Ian Gibbins

Installation view of Reciprocity at UniSC Art Gallery. Photograph Marcia Grimm.

DAY 1 :: GATHER   Thursday 2 October

With the intention of creating a deeper understanding and connection of place and each other, being on Kabi Kabi Country, we gathered at the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) in the heart of the Sunshine Coast Biosphere Reserve for an afternoon launch. Welcomed to Country with Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) Traditional Custodian Lyndon Davis and Gubbi Gubbi Dance. The welcome continued with ANAT CEO, Melissa DeLaney (ANAT), Christopher D. Schaffer from ANAT Board offering delegates an introduction to the days ahead. Pro Vice-Chancellor (Global and Engagement) of the University, Alex Elibank-Murray welcomed ANAT, the artists and the delegates opening up the campus on behalf of the UniSC,

Event photograph Marcia Grimm.

Keeping in the theme of Reciprocity and being on Country, delegates were treated to native-infused foods, culturally sourced and prepared in collaboration by local mob and created by Nooks & Cooks’ Tanika Orr.  This was accompanied by bespoke Reciprocity themed cocktails by local mixologist Tim from Sunshine & Sons. 

Moving between the nine installations across the UniSC campus and into Reciprocity, the major exhibition at UniSC Art Gallery, audiences were immersed in the first of the SPECTRA Screen showcases and as night fell, performances by:

Vanessa Tomlinson and Erik Griswold :: 30 x 30 Out of  Time
Jesse Budel & Vanessa Tomlinson :: Channelling Dulcie’s Piano
Joseph Burgess :: The Carpet Entanglement

“Working with First Nations communities and in ecological contexts already makes reciprocity an ethical and aesthetic priority for me, so it won’t revolutionise my practice, but it was a valuable reminder. I’ll continue integrating this principle, especially in the non-human realm, when designing and delivering future projects.”
Delegate

DAY 2 :: CONVERSE   Friday 3 October

Day two began with an experiential Welcome to Country from Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) Elder Aunty Helena Gulash, followed by a compelling keynote from artist and activist r e a, who framed the concept of reciprocity. Both speakers captivated the audience with their talks on Country, experimental art practice, cultural responsibility and sovereignty.

Lyndon Davis opened the circle playing to the trees and into small group conversations, guided by Melissa DeLaney(ANAT), Nicholas Marchesi (A Curious Tractor), Ana Tiquia (ANAT Board and All Tomorrow’s Futures), and Michèle Saint-Yves (artist and ANAT Board), and through prompts generated through audience engagement with The Gold.Phone, delegates explored how reciprocal approaches can shape and inform creative practice. After lunch, Nic Marchesi and Ben Knight from A Curious Tractor, offered insight into the ideas and thematics underpinning The Gold.Phone, followed by a collective reading led by Caitlin Franzmann, using her tide times and intertidal ecosystem divination cards.

Event photograph Marcia Grimm.

“It was a fulfilling experience due to the care and vision your teams brought to pulling it all together. Generous and spacious, you platformed truly inspiring voices and experiences.
The gin man was great too.”
Robert Walton

Kieran Swann and Critical Light cohort Fiona Harding, Georgia Hayward, Hannah Foley, Kimberley Marston, Kirralee Robinson, Laurent Labourmène, Marian Sandberg, Prita Tina Yeganeh, Sandy Ma, Yasemin Sabuncu, photograph Moegi Suga.

The program continued with a moving screening of Raŋipuy: Coming from the Beach by Miyarrka Media, and a discussion with the creative team behind this mesmerising project from Arnhem Land. Later artists Rosalyn Boko, Lisa Stefanoff, and Johnathon Daw reflected on collaborative storytelling in the short film and animation, Winimaku ara papa wiimatjaraku (The Story of Harry’s Little Dog).

Throughout the rest of the afternoon, delegates joined guided tours, moving between the installations and the exhibition and the second SPECTRA Screen showcase, grouping together at the end of the day,  to enjoy canapés, drinks and a magical performance by Nicole Murphy and Daniel Johnson :: The Seagrass Anthology.

DAY 3 :: EXPERIENCE   Saturday 4 October

On the final day of ANAT SPECTRA, we travelled between the ocean, rainforest and the pub. Delegates chose how to begin their morning, selecting between two unique experiences highlighting the richness of the Sunshine Coast Biosphere.

Some joined Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) artist  Lyndon Davis and Leah Barclay on the ocean to experience Tallo Billa, an extraordinary immersive deep-listening performance. The work combined live streaming of Humpback whale song from underwater hydrophones and mixing by Leah into a sound scape Humpback whales and dolphins put on a spectacular show near Mooloolaba that morning;  swimming close to shore, breaching and tail-slapping, in breathtaking displays.

“The ocean immersion helped the knowledge and emotions to settle a lot. It was a shift from sitting and listening to interacting and engaging.”
Delegate

Nigel Helyer, ReSound, photograph Nigel Helyer.

Others explored the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens, taking part in a guided meditation walk led by Melissa DeLaney, card reading by Caitlin Franzmann and a conversation with Kabi Kabi elder Aunty Helena Gulash and the Yimbaya Maranoa Arts Collective.

In the afternoon, the two groups came together at the gardens for lunch, before heading to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve in the hinterland. Overlooking the spectacular Glasshouse Mountains we were warmly welcomed by Jinibara Elder Aunty Zeitha Murphy, in a deeply meaningful, and grounding experience.

The day culminated in a celebration at the Mapleton Public House, where delegates shared food and conversation, embracing the iconic pub’s philosophy that sharing locally sourced and grown food connects people to the land, water, sky, and to one another.

Event photograph Marcia Grimm.

‘ANAT SPECTRA provided space and opportunities to connect as humans into an interconnected program with Country and the more-than-human. These valuable connections acknowledge the responsibility and work we can do together in the space of Reciprocity’
– ANAT CEO, Melissa DeLaney

“We are aware and hold great respect that being on Kabi Kabi Country reminds us that art, science and technology are not just recent inventions but practices long embedded in culture, land and kinship within knowledge systems that have existed for tens of thousands of years… that they are living, dynamic and present.”
Melissa DeLaney, ANAT CEO

Presented by ANAT and UniSC, on Kabi Kabi Country, in the heart of the Sunshine Coast Biosphere Reserve, ANAT SPECTRA 2025 :: Reciprocity brings together Australian artists working at the intersections of art, science, and technology to explore the ethics and possibilities of reciprocal exchange.