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."

Art talks, films, Parlour nights & a pop-up bar...

Kaldor Public Art Projects has unveiled a comprehensive and thought-provoking public program of events to support its most ambitious project in history, the major international contemporary art exhibition 13 Rooms.  Free art talks, conversations and panel discussions involving some of the most respected figures in the arts community will be offered. Speakers include Artistic Director of the Sydney Theatre Company Andrew Upton; former Art Gallery of NSW Director Edmund Capon; Sydney Dance Company Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela; Artistic Director of Sydney Festival Lieven Bertels; and Australian artist Julie Rrap.

Visitors will be able to explore 13 Rooms after dark with the return of Parlour nights featuring music by FBi DJs, a pop-up bar by Grasshopper and specially-commissioned artist performances.  For a full program of events and information on 13 Rooms please visit: www.kaldorartprojects.org.au/13rooms/

Carriageworks premieres 'Birds with Skymirrors' from acclaimed Samoan choreographer

Carriageworks will present the Australian premiere of Birds with Skymirrors on 1 May 2013, a contemporary dance work by internationally acclaimed group MAU that incorporates dance, ceremony, poetry and chant. This uplifting dance work comes from distinguished Samoan choreographer Lemi Ponifasio, globally regarded as one of the most innovative and controversial theatre artists today.

With a bold and ground-breaking stage vocabulary, Birds with Skymirrors is a dance reflection on the human relationship with the planet at a time of momentous climate change. Evocative lighting and video projections create an austere and mystical world, as the performers convey an urgent message – radical climate change is not an apocalypse about to happen; it is already here.