Crossings Bilya Bidi; A Monograph of the Fremantle Biennale Crossing21, invites audiences to interact with Fremantle (Walyalup) through artistic dialogues, place sensitive letter-forms, essays, poetry and significant new artworks. Crossings Bilya Bidi presents a provocative anthology of works both academic and prosaic, which encourage the contemplation of myth and the creation of new narratives that propel a spirit of reconciliation. Collaborative practice between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal artists, writers and makers is the central axis that promulgates the many contributions to this book, informed by ongoing facilitated yarning and cultural consultation with Noongyar Traditional Owners, Elders and Youth. In keeping with the Fremantle Biennale; the site specific Arts Festival it is attached to, the book seeks to define a renewed reading of place that benefits the community and its future generations by celebrating the cultural, social and historical distinctiveness of the Fremantle region. Contextualising Walyalup’s Dreaming history and the subsequent layering of colonial and contemporary narratives, Crossings Bilya Bidi will assist audiences to understand the past and the present and look to the future.Bilya Bidi means ‘River Trails’ in Noongyar culture. When linked with the term ‘Crossing’, the title hints at the contemplation of the river and estuarine systems of the Derbal Yerigan (Swan River) and the millennia of real and metaphoric ‘crossings’; across and around the river, across and between people and across and through time. Encapsulated in sharp design, Crossings Bilya Bidi includes 26 contributions, including from Tyson Yunkaporta, Professor Ted Snell, Dr Cassie Lynch, Jazz Money, Tom Muller and the artists of Fremantle Biennale’s ‘Crossings21’ Site Specific Arts Festival for 2021.

Limited Edition (500). First Edition.

•  Kelsey Ashe (Editor); Tyson Yunkaporta (Interviewee); Rohin Kickett (Contribution by, Interviewee); Jazz Money (Contribution by); Jennifer Kornberger (Contribution by); Tom Muller (Editor); Grant Revell (Editor); Sandra Harben (Editor); Ted Snell; Cassie Lynch; Mike Lefroy; Len Collard; Clothilde Bullen (Interviewee)