Carriageworks to double in size, making it the largest multi-arts institution in Australia

A section of the 5,000 square metres of additional space that will become part of the Carriageworks precinct

Contemporary multi-arts institution Carriageworks will double in size this month by adding an additional 5,000 square metres to its existing premises in Sydney’s Redfern. 

The expansion will make Carriageworks the largest multi-arts institution in Australia, spanning visual arts, music, dance, theatre.he announcement follows two years of strong growth in audience numbers and an extraordinary public response to its artistic program that saw a doubling of attendances from 2011 to 2012 and has the institution on track to double attendances again in 2013 to 400,000 people.

Escape to Bundanon Trust

The Glenn Murcutt designed pavilion at Riversdale, Bundanon

This weekend saw a group of Australia's leading arts writers and critics embark upon a trip to explore the unique cultural and environmental assets of the Bundanon Trust properties, located two hours south of Sydney.

The group mingled with the artists in residence currently living at Bundanon Trust, shared dinner and performances with them; viewed the former Arthur Boyd home and artist studio (pictured); toured the property on boat up the Shoalhaven River and enjoyed lunch at local restaurant Wharf Road. Former Rockpool chef Dave Campbell delivered a delicious five course tasting of locally sourced, sustainable produce.

Visual artists invited to apply for Qantas Spirit of Youth Award

Visual artists from around Australia are invited to submit entries for the Qantas Spirit of Youth Awards (SOYA) under the Visual Arts category, closing Tuesday 3 September 2013.

The Award offers artists aged between 18 and 30 the opportunity to further their career with the winners receiving $5,000 worth of flights, $5,000 in cash and a professional mentorship with MCA Director and internationally respected curator Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, OBE.

Last year the SOYA Visual Arts category attracted 5,000 artworks from more than 400 entrants. The award is open to artists working across all styles and genres, including painting, mixed media, sculpture, installation, ceramics, conceptual or performance art. 

Last year’s winner was Tully Arnot, who recently returned from an extended overseas trip as part of his SOYA Award, exploring creative opportunities on offer across Europe. Tully was a COFA graduate at the time of winning and used his prize to fund travel to the Edinburgh Art Festival, Scotland’s largest annual visual art festival.

Previous winners of the SOYA Visual Arts category are: Christian de Vietri (2004), Dane Lovett (2005), Alice Lang (2006), Danielle Freakley (2007), Grant Stevens (2008), Rebecca Baumann (2009), Clare Peake (2010/11) and Tully Arnot (2012).

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.