September 2012
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Arts Queensland’s bi-monthly update of arts and culture
Welcome to the September edition of arts update. In this month’s edition we highlight the international success of the 2012 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair as well as take a look at the Swell Sculpture Festival, Brisbane Festival, the Hamburg Season at QPAC, Queensland designers making their mark on the world, a public art project and the 7th Asia Pacific Triennial.
A Swell party Experience a wondrous exhibition of 50 sculptures created by artists from Australia and abroad at the 10th annual Swell Sculpture Festival, 14-23 September, 2012. This free exhibition is open all hours with a vast selection of artworks set against the spectacular backdrop of Currumbin Beach at the southern Gold Coast, revealing a new energy each night as they are lit up under the southern sky. Over 10 days, visitors can take in the sculptures, enjoy twilight walks and informative artist talks, discover new perspectives at the Public Art Forum, wander through the Swell Smalls Gallery and participate in artist master classes and children’s workshops. Visit www.swellsculpture.com.au for more information Caption: Aquaduck 2012 by Christopher Trotter. Photo: courtesy the artist
Brisbane Festival celebrates the arts in style It is officially festival season in Brisbane, with the 2012 Brisbane Festival in full swing from 8-29 September bringing with it three weeks of innovative international and local arts. Brisbane Festival is presenting two world premieres. Dance Energy features the Queensland Ballet, Expressions Dance and Dancenorth in a production which transcends the barriers of classical and contemporary dance. Circa, the internationally-acclaimed contemporary circus company will perform the world premiere of S, inspired by the letter of the alphabet and promising to be seductive, sophisticated, sensual and savage. In 2012, the Brisbane Festival will host more than 700 performers and present more than 90 productions with 450 performances. There are 12 Australian premieres and the exclusive one-off performance of Bluebeard’s Castle featuring Australian soprano Lisa Gasteen and bass-baritone Daniel Sumegi.
Brisbane will welcome 410 performers and artists from Queensland, 232 from other parts of Australia and 106 from nine countries including Argentina, Austria, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Germany, Slovenia, the UK and the USA. From the ever-popular Sunsuper Riverfire, which is closing this year’s festival, to the return of the Santos GLNG City of Lights, Brisbane Festival is a fantastic opportunity to experience many events that are free to the public. Sell-out seasons include Under the Radar’s Blind Date, the first night of La Soiree and Spiegeltent shows by Julia Stone, Lanie Lane and Ingrid Michaelson. Visit www.brisbanefestival.com.au for more information.
Caption: S by Circa. Photo: by Sergio Parra and Chema Noci
Check out Critical Mass The Critical Mass blog encourages online conversation and critique about arts and culture in Queensland. It features 25 Queensland writers who review a range of arts and cultural experiences from television and films to visual arts exhibitions and live performances. As most arts review now occurs online, the project asks: What happens when we ask a broad range of people to sit in the critic’s seat, curate their own online discussions and use major events such as festivals to engage a wide audience with their critical writing? Contributors to Queensland’s cultural scene have been invited to participate in the project and write about their experiences and perceptions of arts and cultural events and products. Critical Mass is facilitated by Arts Queensland and was initiated
in 2010 through a partnership with Brisbane Festival. The writers will cover the 2012 Brisbane Festival and offer an alternative to mainstream press reviews. Critical Mass invites you to join the conversation via the blog, Twitter or Facebook. Some recent examples of Critical Mass comments include: “I like how reading these words, made me look out the window and see things like I once did and which first attracted me to here.” “At times, I felt sore and vulnerable as I watched the thing unfold, like petals pulled from a toxic flower. My headache screamed.” Critical Mass: check it out now at http://www.criticalmassblog. net/2012/ Caption: Critical Mass blogger Angel Huang with comedian Kitty Flanagan, August 2012
Quench goes global The Quench project, a collaboration of Queenslandbased designers who have been drawn from emerging, mid-career and established professionals, is attracting global attention for all the right reasons. The brainchild of designers Alexander Lotersztain, Bjorn Rust, Surya Graf, Marc Harrison, Jason Bird and David Shaw, Quench is dedicated to promoting new design developed here and raising the profile of Queensland design as a whole. Formed in 2010, Quench has rapidly established an international profile at events like Design Tide in Tokyo. In June this year, Quench made an appearance at Dwell on Design in Los Angeles with the individual design brands exhibiting under the Quench umbrella. The venture was a stunning success with Quench awarded ‘Best in Show’ by an independent panel of design experts following judging across criteria including brand, booth and product. Dwell on Design attracted 276 exhibitors and 23 000 visitors. Quench’s involvement generated significant local and international media coverage for
the collective, has increased web traffic to the individual members websites and has also opened up new partnerships and export opportunities. According to Luxxbox designer Jason Bird, participation in Dwell on Design was hugely beneficial to all the members of the Quench collective and proved a great platform for exposing the Queensland Design sector to a global audience. “Taking part in events like Dwell on Design helps create brand awareness and also establishes new commercial partnerships,” said Jason. “Street & Garden Furniture Co, for example, were able to extend an ongoing deal for manufacturing and distribution in the United States through California-based Tournesol Siteworks.” For more information on Quench, visit http://quench-design.com/ and for information on Dwell on Design visit http://dod.dwell.com/ awards
Caption: Quench designers (l-r) Surya Graf, Bjorn Rust, Alexander Lotersztain, David Shaw, Marc Harrison and Jason Bird with their Best in Show award from Dwell on Design in LA.
Queensland Museum celebrates 60s design Vintage fans are finding a treasure trove at the Queensland Museum in September. Fans of fashion are enjoying the garments of Gwen Gillam, the popular exhibition Dressed by the Best: Fashion, Glamour and Gwen Gillam which celebrates the life, work and legacy of Gwen Gillam, Queensland’s leading dress designer in the 1950s and 1960s. At the same time Queensland Museum’s Collectors Café has been transformed to feature 60s inspired furniture and salvaged signs, projections, music and vintage fashion models. Created by Brisbane’s iconic hive of salvaged materials, Reverse Garbage, this unique furniture showcase highlights that one person’s trash really is another’s treasure and it can look great! The bespoke designer space will also feature the bold work of artist Al James, who produces poetic textual assemblages composed from salvaged scrap road signs. Reverse Garbage designers Brooke Nelson and Bill Ennals said they
were committed to using as much salvaged material as possible in their designs, promoting re-use through giving unwanted and discarded material a new lease on life, and, a new story to tell. Al James’ wordy artworks spring from a love of the iconography and vernacular of signage and public language at large. “They celebrate the visual and verbal elegance, the inherent beauty and wisdom—or otherwise—of the humble sign,” Al said. The current bespoke installation runs until 24 September while the Gwen Gillam exhibition closes 24 February 2013. Every month, bespoke showcases unique locally designed furniture crafted from sustainable or reclaimed materials which visitors are encouraged to use. Designers interested in being involved can contact 07 3840 7554 or email pr@qm.qld.gov.au Yes, but is it art?. Alan James 2011. Salvaged scrap aluminium road signs, 650 x 500 mm. Photo: Sean Young
an international hit The 2012 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF) was a runaway success, attracting 16 500 visitors and generating almost $600 000 in sales of art.
Buyers included the National Gallery of Australia, the University of Queensland Art Museum and the Sprengel Museum in Hannover, Germany. More than 300 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders from across the state displayed their work during the festival. Since CIAF began in 2009, it has generated $2.4 million in sales of Indigenous artworks and injected more than $4.3 million dollars into the local economy. CIAF is a Queensland Government initiative funded through the Backing Indigenous Arts program, with additional funding from Events Queensland.
Images clockwise left to right: Youngsters explored their creativity at Children’s Lane. Master weaver Mavis Ngallametta with one of her stunning ghost net baskets. The CIAF Opening Party included an exclusive preview of the Art Fair before it opened to the public the following day. The Lockhart River Kawandji-Wimpa Dancers made their debut at CIAF this year. Photos: Kerry Trapnell
Public art gems on Grey St Artist Bruce Reynolds was inspired by a convict, the Brisbane River and the 2011 flood for his artworks that now adorn the new Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) on Grey Street. Designed by Cox Rayner, the $140 million expansion of the BCEC at South Bank has attracted praise for its dramatic architecture which includes a feature sky light, a facade made up of 85 per cent glass, bountiful natural light and generous foyer space. One of its most stunning features is the collection of works by Bruce Reynolds entitled Pamphlet, located in the foyer and outside BCEC on Grey Street. Funded through the art+place Queensland Public Art Fund, Pamphlet is a work of three components over different media. Bruce, who is known for his innovative use of linoleum and industrial materials, as well as the inclusion of geometrics, was delighted with the space available to showcase his work. “The architectural design is a unifying force for the artwork with the building providing an ideal setting and creating a moment where architect and artist come together,” he said.
Pamphlet is Bruce’s largest public artwork and comprises external installations of polyhedral forms or ‘gems’, alcove linoleum collages and scattered relief panels, hand carved with various colourless patterns. The work is named after Thomas Pamphlet, a convict and castaway marooned in Moreton Bay and who led John Oxley to the Brisbane River. It draws together the elements of the early settlement of the Brisbane River, the landscape, trade, industry and the current usage of BCEC on Grey Street site. The ‘gem’ installations also feature images of South Bank during the 2011 flood. Bruce studied at the Australian National University School of Art and the Victorian College of the Arts, Melbourne, before teaching at Queensland College of Art from 1986 to 2006. His work is held in public collections including the National Gallery of Australia and the Queensland Art Gallery. Read more about Bruce at http://brucereynolds.net
Photo: Bruce Reynolds with a Pamphlet ‘gem’ at the entrance of BCEC on Grey Street
Hamburg Season reaches out beyond Brisbane The much-anticipated Hamburg Season has come and gone but its impact will linger on. Running 23 August- 5 September at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), it featured the Hamburg Ballet, Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra and Hamburg State Opera. The Hamburg Season was the first event in the QPAC International Series, a significant joint initiative between QPAC and the Queensland Government through Events Queensland. Three world class companies performed in Brisbane; companies made up of around 250 of some of the world’s greatest musicians, singers and dancers.
The performance at the QPAC Concert Hall was beamed live to venues in Bundaberg, Cairns, Mackay, Mount Isa, Toowoomba and Townsville as well as the Cultural Forecourt at South Bank in Brisbane. A total of 3 157 people attended the simulcast at the seven locations. Another highlight was Australia’s Simone Young conducting the Hamburg Philharmonic in three concerts with the Hamburg State Opera: two performances of Das Rheingold, and the performance of Mahler’s Symphony No.2 Resurrection. Both received standing ovations.
Exclusive to Brisbane, it was also the first time in 38 years that all three of the Hamburg companies have toured together and the first time they have performed in Australia.
In addition, the Hamburg Ballet presented two ballets: A Midsummer Night’s Dream performed with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Simon Hewett, and Nijinsky, based on the life of the celebrated Russian dancer Vaslav Nijinsky.
One of the highlights of the Hamburg Season was the free live simulcast on 24 August of Gustav Mahler’s sublime Symphony No.2 Resurrection.
Caption: The Cultural Forecourt, South Bank, was one of the venues for the free live simulcast of the Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra performing Mahler. Photo: Darren Thomas
Artists named for 7th Asia Pacific Triennial The artists for the seventh Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT7) have been announced. Opening at the Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art on December 8 and running until April 14, 2013, APT7 will feature the work of 77 artists and artists groups from 27 countries. Seven of the artists are from Australia and three are Queenslanders - Michael Cook, Daniel Boyd and Shirley Macnamara. APT7 is the only recurring art exhibition showcasing contemporary art from Asia, the Pacific and Australia. Since the first APT in 1993, the event has attracted over 1.8 million visitors. Highlights include painting, installation, sculpture and photography by Indigenous Australian artists; a focus on artists from West Asia, including Egypt, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Syria and Jordan; and works by new young artists from Indonesia and Vietnam.
Visitors to APT7 will also see the most significant representation yet of contemporary work from Papua New Guinea (PNG), including a major commission of architectural structures by artists from the East Sepik province. The 20th anniversary of APT is an opportunity to reflect upon the social, political, artistic and cultural transformations that have occurred in Australia, Asia and the Pacific over the past two decades. Other highlights of APT7 will be Kids APT and a major film program expanding on the exhibition’s exploration of change and includes a program of Chinese animation. For more information on the exhibition and artists visit www.qagoma.qld.gov.au/apt7 Caption: Daniel Boyd / Australia, b. 1982 / Kudjla/Gangalu people / A darker shade of dark #1-4 (still) 2012 / Four-channel video installation: HD video, 16:9, sound, 21.45 mins (each, approx) ed. 3/5 / Sound: Ryan Grieve / Purchased 2012 / Collection: Queensland Art Gallery
Arts Queensland Media Releases Duo takes out Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship
QPAC cracks magic million mark
Up-and-coming Gold Coast musicians Laneway have been named as winners of the 2012 Grant McLennan Memorial Fellowship. To read more http://bit.ly/TOPhmd
The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is celebrating a major milestone - more than a million people attended the venue in 2011-2012. To read more http://bit.ly/TbkRgh
Arts for all Queenslanders
Hamburg’s exclusive Brisbane season
Regional communities have won a cultural boost with funding for arts, festivals and projects as part of new funding announced Arts Minister Ros Bates. “Total funding of $771,332 will go towards realising 33 projects throughout Queensland, 15 of which are outside the south east,” Ms Bates said. To read more http://bit.ly/NKMyay
QLD Art Gallery Board appointments Art Minister Ros Bates today announced the appointment of Professor Susan Street as Chair of the Queensland Art Gallery Board of Trustees. To read more http://bit.ly/UlW2xL
Cairns to be hub for Indigenous Art Cairns is set to be the national focus for Indigenous arts and culture for three days this week as artists, actors, dancers, art dealers, collectors and curators descend on the city for the annual Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF). To read more http://bit.ly/OFDmXt
Arts Minister Ros Bates and Tourism and Major Events Minister Jann Stuckey have officially welcomed ‘Hamburg Season’ to Brisbane. It features the Hamburg Ballet, Hamburg Philharmonic Orchestra and Hamburg State Opera performing until 5 September at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC). To read more http://bit.ly/PW1qY5
Queensland celebrates poetry festival Arts Minister Ros Bates today congratulated the winners of two major poetry prizes, at the opening of the 16th annual Queensland Poetry Festival. To read more http://bit.ly/QehW5p
Minister tours QSO’s new home Arts Minister Ros Bates has toured the Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s new world-class facilities at the South Bank cultural precinct. Minister Bates said the Newman Government provided $3 million dollars towards the relocation and another $500,000 to the Orchestra’s own fundraising efforts. To read more http://bit.ly/RBVpwc
About us: Arts Queensland is part of the Department of Science, Information Technology, Innovation and the Arts. For more information on Arts Queensland go to www.arts.qld.gov.au or call 1800175531 For more information on Queensland Government go to www.qld.gov.au