Connection
As Senior Creative, I led the vision for Connection, an immersive, award-winning experience celebrating the world's oldest living culture , from the earliest concept through to on-site installation.
The process began with storyboarding and concepting, working out how to shape 110+ Australian First Nations artists and their masterworks into a cohesive journey through Land, Water, and Sky. I collaborated closely with a music director from the outset, developing the score in parallel with the visual work so the two informed each other throughout production.
Working alongside the production team, I used SketchUp to design and map out the full guest journey, from the Welcome to Country smoke ceremony installation through Emily's Room, the physical art gallery, and the Mirri Café, ensuring wayfinding and spatial sequencing felt intentional at every stage.
I then led the full 45-minute show build in After Effects, directing a team of four to five motion designers across in-house and external collaborators, maintaining a consistent creative vision as the project scaled.
The final phase was building and sequencing the show in Dataton Watchout, followed by more than a week on-site for installation, calibrating, problem-solving, and making the detailed decisions that determine whether a space truly lands with an audience.
Connection received both the People's Choice Award and the Critics' Impact Award at the Time Out Arts & Culture Awards 2024.
The process began with storyboarding and concepting, working out how to shape 110+ Australian First Nations artists and their masterworks into a cohesive journey through Land, Water, and Sky. I collaborated closely with a music director from the outset, developing the score in parallel with the visual work so the two informed each other throughout production.
Working alongside the production team, I used SketchUp to design and map out the full guest journey, from the Welcome to Country smoke ceremony installation through Emily's Room, the physical art gallery, and the Mirri Café, ensuring wayfinding and spatial sequencing felt intentional at every stage.
I then led the full 45-minute show build in After Effects, directing a team of four to five motion designers across in-house and external collaborators, maintaining a consistent creative vision as the project scaled.
The final phase was building and sequencing the show in Dataton Watchout, followed by more than a week on-site for installation, calibrating, problem-solving, and making the detailed decisions that determine whether a space truly lands with an audience.
Connection received both the People's Choice Award and the Critics' Impact Award at the Time Out Arts & Culture Awards 2024.
2023
Creative Direction
Art Direction
Permanent Installation
Touring
Motion
Digital
Signage
Environmental
Creative Direction
Art Direction
Permanent Installation
Touring
Motion
Digital
Signage
Environmental
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Acknowledgement of Country & Smoke Ceremony
The Welcome to Country and smoke ceremony at Connection was designed to honor Indigenous traditions and evoke reverence for the Wurundjeri people, the land’s traditional custodians. A large faceted LED screen sets the tone, immersing visitors in the significance of the ceremony.
After the Acknowledgement of Country, guests walk through a smoke ceremony installation, where LED lighting and projections recreate the cleansing and welcoming smoke. Scenic rocks reflect Indigenous stone circle formations, grounding the space in cultural heritage.
At the installation’s core, an educational display highlights native plants used in Wurundjeri smoke ceremonies, with plaques detailing each species, offering both a sensory and learning experience.
After the Acknowledgement of Country, guests walk through a smoke ceremony installation, where LED lighting and projections recreate the cleansing and welcoming smoke. Scenic rocks reflect Indigenous stone circle formations, grounding the space in cultural heritage.
At the installation’s core, an educational display highlights native plants used in Wurundjeri smoke ceremonies, with plaques detailing each species, offering both a sensory and learning experience.
Emily’s Room
Emily’s Room immerses visitors in a powerful visual narrative of time and connection to Country. In 1994-1995, Emily Kame Kngwarreye painted one canvas per week for a year, and this installation surrounds viewers with her original works, capturing her artistic journey and cultural expression.
A mirrored ceiling and floor create an infinity room effect, endlessly multiplying the paintings and enveloping the audience in her art. The installation symbolizes the cycle of seasons and life, deepening the connection between land, time, and Emily’s vision. Designed for full immersion, it offers a meditative and all-encompassing experience.
A mirrored ceiling and floor create an infinity room effect, endlessly multiplying the paintings and enveloping the audience in her art. The installation symbolizes the cycle of seasons and life, deepening the connection between land, time, and Emily’s vision. Designed for full immersion, it offers a meditative and all-encompassing experience.
Mirri Café
Mirri Café offers a sleek, contemporary space with clean, linear motifs embedded in layered white walls. Subtle linear lighting enhances the minimalist yet sophisticated design, allowing visitors to interpret the space freely while complementing the surrounding digital content.
The design balances physical and digital elements, creating an immersive yet unobtrusive atmosphere. This serene, modern aesthetic seamlessly integrates with interactive narratives, encouraging a fresh and intuitive engagement with the space
The design balances physical and digital elements, creating an immersive yet unobtrusive atmosphere. This serene, modern aesthetic seamlessly integrates with interactive narratives, encouraging a fresh and intuitive engagement with the space
Art Gallery
For the first time at The LUME, a physical art gallery was introduced to complement the digital experience, showcasing original works by featured artists. I carefully designed the layout to ensure a seamless flow between artworks, interpretive panels, and thematic elements, enhancing visitor engagement.
Interpretive panels provided deeper insights into the artists' creative processes, bridging immersive and traditional art forms. The space was designed as a quiet, reflective environment where the original works stood on their own while still resonating with the digital gallery, creating a richer, multi-layered experience.
Interpretive panels provided deeper insights into the artists' creative processes, bridging immersive and traditional art forms. The space was designed as a quiet, reflective environment where the original works stood on their own while still resonating with the digital gallery, creating a richer, multi-layered experience.
Credits:
Creative Lead: Joel Orlandini
Head of Creative: Gary Moyhayain
Head of Production and Technology: Craig Smith
Curators: Prof Wayne Quilliam & Adam Knight
Senior Motion Designer: Luke Constable
Senior Motion Designer: Rose Staff
Motion Designer: Izzy See-tho
Graphic Designer: Eva Lanev
Creative Lead: Joel Orlandini
Head of Creative: Gary Moyhayain
Head of Production and Technology: Craig Smith
Curators: Prof Wayne Quilliam & Adam Knight
Senior Motion Designer: Luke Constable
Senior Motion Designer: Rose Staff
Motion Designer: Izzy See-tho
Graphic Designer: Eva Lanev