For one weekend in May, the small parks that dot inner-Sydney’s Surry Hills will be transformed into jaw-dropping outdoor galleries, with free contemporary art installations and performances in Micro Parks. Ensemble Offspring, together with artists Joan Ross, Justin Shoulder, Fondue Set, and Malcolm Whittaker, all stake their claim on tiny patches of greenery around Surry Hills to create free, family-friendly works.

Ensemble Offspring presents the site-specific installation, Calliope’s Nest, decorating Cooper Street Reserve with colourful plastic nests. When sounded by the wind, these curious sculptures murmur gently to the backdrop of birdsong. In performance they become instruments, forming a bizarre ritual that both exalts and interferes with nature.

Designed to run throughout the day, Micro Parks allows the audience to wander from park to park, taking in the installations at their own pace, or discovering performances as they appear.

Presented by Performance Space with the support of the City of Sydney.

“This is fully sick. I want it in my backyard.”

A couple of landscapers who brought their industrial leafblower to test the installation

“You realise you’ve just totally blown 20 little minds.”

Pre-school teacher

“This is bloody awesome”

Mounted police