Sydney Contemporary announces talks program and curatorial partnerships

A work by Todd Robinson to be presented at Sydney Contemporary 2013

Sydney Contemporary has revealed a preview of its inaugural public program to be presented during the new international contemporary art fair being held at Redfern-based multi-disciplinary arts institution Carriageworks from 19 until 22 September 2013.  The inaugural event also announced an expanded exhibitor list, with over 80 galleries now confirmed to take part in the biennial Fair.

Talk topics range from the anti-aesthetic versus beauty in art; whether to collect from Australia or internationally; the crossover between art and fashion and how contemporary art inspires creative people across various disciplines, including food, architecture and graphic design.

Speakers include founder of Kaldor Public Art Projects John Kaldor AM, actor Rachel Griffiths, chef Kylie Kwong, architect Nick Tobias, Arts Journalist Andrew Frost, Art Fair Director Barry Keldoulis and artists including Del Kathryn Barton, Nell, and Island 6 from Hong Kong.  

Sydney Contemporary also announced curatorial partnerships with two of Sydney’s most innovative not-for-profit visual arts organisations: 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art and Artspace.  4A Director Aaron Seeto will curate the inaugural Installation Contemporary; an exhibition of large-scale sculpture and installations by cutting-edge contemporary artists. Mark Feary, Curator of Artspace, will curate Video Contemporary; a presentation of moving image artworks by Australian and international contemporary artists working at the very forefront of the medium.

Alexie Glass-Kantor curates international group exhibition for Anna Schwartz Gallery

Director of the Gertrude Contemporary Art Spaces Alexie Glass-Kantor has curated a group exhibition of work by contemporary Australian and international artists, entitled You promised me, and you said a lie to me, to be presented at Anna Schwartz Gallery at Carriageworks from 5 October until 2 November 2013.

Glass-Kantor has selected paintings, sculptures and video installations by contemporary artists from Australia and around the world, including: Heman Chong (Singapore); Susan Jacobs (Australia); Jesse Jones (Ireland); Laurent Grasso (France); Ming Wong (Berlin/Singapore); and Haegue Yang (South Korea). The title of the exhibition is taken from Donal Og, an 8th century Irish ballad translated by Lady Augusta Gregory (1852-1932), which draws out the startling language and un-resolvable nature of emotional confrontation.

Ryoji Ikeda: Japanese audio-visual and sound artist

Carriageworks, ISEA2013 and Vivid Sydney join forces present the Australian premiere of a major work by acclaimed Japanese electronic composer and audio-­visual artist Ryoji Ikeda, known for creating spectacular sound and visual environments. Ikeda’s latest large-­scale installation, test pattern [N°5], will be premiered at Carriageworks, from 8 June until 1 July 2013, free. 

Test Pattern [N°5] is an audio­‐visual installation that converts data (text, sounds, photos and movies) into barcode and binary patterns of 0s and 1s. Comprised of five projectors that illuminate a floor space some 28 metres long and eight metres wide, the work creates an immersive experience of flickering black and white imagery and sound that pushes the threshold of human perception. In addition to test pattern [N°5], a one-night only, free concert will be presented at Carriageworks on Friday 7 June 2013, at 8pm. 

First preview of 19th Biennale of Sydney

Artist Tori Wranes will participate in the 19th Biennale of Sydney

Juliana Engberg, Artistic Director of the 19^th Biennale of Sydney, has shared an early glimpse into one of the leading international festivals of contemporary art, which will be presented from 21 March until 9 June 2014 at locations across Sydney.

The preview artist list reveals the names of 18 artists already selected for the 19^th Biennale: Yael Bartana, Ulla von Brandenberg, Mircea Cantor, David Claerbout, Yingmei Duan, Krisztina Erdei, Douglas Gordon, Henna-Riikka Halonen, Roni Horn, Mikhail Karikis, Laurent Montaron, Agnieszka Polska, Augustin Rebetez, Maxime Rossi, Wael Shawky, John Stezaker, Corin Sworn and Tori Wrånes.

Artist pairings announced for Redlands Konica Minolta Art Prize

Artist Raquel Ormella is one of the established artists presenting work in the Prize

There are 21 artist pairings including two artist collectives that will exhibit work in the 2013 Redlands Konica Minolta Art Prize, in the free exhibition presented at the National Art School Gallery from 3 May until 1 June 2013.

Guest curator Julie Rrap – herself a respected contemporary artist and former recipient of the Prize – selected the list of established artists from across Australia and New Zealand. Each of those established artists in turn selected one emerging artist to show alongside in the Prize.  The Prize has a unique model that seeks to foster mentoring relationships between established and emerging contemporary artists. The artist pairings can be viewed at the 2013 Redlands Konica Minolta Art Prize website.

Debil Debil unveiled at Anna Schwartz Gallery

Record attendances at Art Month Sydney 2013

Art Month Sydney 2013 has welcomed record numbers into Sydney's art galleries and presented the most diverse and ambitious program in the festival's four year history. Over three weeks 300 events and exhibitions were presented, featuring 200 artists in over 100 art spaces across Sydney.

Attendance in 2013 saw a significant increase with over 40,000 Sydneysiders participating in the event directly and around half a million people connecting with the event online and via social media. In addition, more than 90 per cent of Art Month 2013 events were fully booked out.

Art Month CEO, Paul Becker said: "It's great to see Art Month Sydney realising its potential for cultural change in our city and wonderful to see audiences embracing contemporary art in increased numbers."