Connecting Worlds with Words was the first collaborative project among Auckland Live, Fed Square in Melbourne, and Bunjil Place in the City of Casey, Australia. Each venue, equipped with a large LED screen in a central public space, harnessed technology and creativity to deliver a hybrid spoken word event, aiming to bridge isolation and foster connection amid COVID-19 lockdowns. Over a year, the venues collaborated with local spoken word collectives, inviting audiences to engage with a timely theme of connection. The event’s technical development leveraged Real Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP) and NDI protocols to enable seamless live-streaming, with Fed Square as the central hub, supporting an international online audience. Despite logistical challenges, including lockdowns, the project successfully connected 12 poets, 3 spoken word collectives, 3 cities, 27 operational staff and 993 total audience members. Coordinated marketing, innovative video promotions, and a unified brand identity further amplified outreach. Though it concluded after the pilot year, Connecting Worlds with Words showcased the transformative power of digital collaboration, offering a model for sustainable, cross-border engagement that emphasises connection and community in an uncertain world.
Angela Barnett is a Melbourne-based media artist and creative producer with over five years of experience at Bunjil Place, where she coordinates outdoor screen events, exhibitions, workshops, and interactive installations. She has collaborated with festivals such as the Melbourne International Film Festival and Melbourne Queer Film Festival, fostering a diverse screen culture.
Previously, Angela was Artist in Residence at Cube 37 and a recipient of the Australia Council’s EPIC grant. Her accolades include the ATOM Award for Best Multimedia, commissions from Experimental Playground, and a pivotal role in founding the Gertrude Street Projection Festival.
Ben McCarthy is a Melbourne-based screen programmer and creative producer specialising in innovative screen-based projects and interactive media. With over ten years of experience, he is the Multimedia Producer at Fed Square, curating events, exhibitions, and interactive installations that engage audiences and foster community connection.
Ben has collaborated with major festivals like the Melbourne International Film Festival, Melbourne International Games Week, and Birrarangga Film Festival to deliver inclusive programming. A former Multiplatform Programmer at Nickelodeon ANZ and Board member of Channel 31, Ben also advises RMIT’s Master of Media program, shaping future media professionals.
Helaina Keeley is Manager, Performing Arts, at Auckland Live.