Top 10 Sydney Culture On this week 16/02/2020
Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing.
10) Visualising the Future: Open Forum
22nd February
What: How can emergent technologies, methodologies and practices enable us to understand complex information, and harness new perspectives to help solve complex issues that we are facing right now? Industry and UNSW academic panellists will highlight examples of effective uses of the latest interactive and immersive media, discuss the implications for future education and upskilling of our current and future workforce, explore the advantages of a human-centric design approach, and consider the development of new transdisciplinary approaches and models for collaboration.
Why: A bunch of humans screwing around while the smart screen behind them records their every movement and facial expression and matches it with the backlog of stored data about their psychological proclivities.
9) Spotlight on the Collection: Antonio Dattilo-Rubbo
20th February
What: In celebration of Manly Art Gallery & Museum’s 90th anniversary, MAG&M Society presents a series of illustrated talks throughout 2020, focusing on some of the key artists represented in MAG&M’s fascinating collection. As one of MAG&M’s founding artists, Antonio Dattilo-Rubbo is represented in the collection with 120 works, Australia’s largest archive of his paintings. Well-known as a portrait painter, Rubbo’s plein air paintings in the Post-Impressionistic style include collection favourites such as ‘East Esplanade, Manly’ which he was painted while living in Manly around 1916-18. As a dedicated and flamboyant teacher, Rubbo encouraged students to actively experiment, inspiring a whole generation of Australian painters to adopt a Modernist approach. Presented by Emma Collerton, Curator, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery, who has had a long interest in Rubbo’s work and curated a focus exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW some years ago.
Why: A teacher named Antonio who encouraged his students to reject the bounds of normalcy and experiment, who has not as of yet been posthumously convicted of a sex crime. You gotta see this.
8) Unseen: Augmented Reality Art Exhibition
18th-23rd February
What: Highlighting the silent influences in our lives, “Unseen” is an interactive art exhibition that uses Augmented Reality (AR) to create a virtual space where our deeper realities are exposed, which is usually unseen and invisible. “Unseen” is a series that reveals the invisible causes and effects of personal experiences and an opportunity to explore the intersection between technology and art. Each piece takes an ordinary illustrated scene reveals a hidden perspective with AR, giving the audience an intimate and first-hand experience as well as looking at everyday scenarios in a different light. Each piece has a different theme to it and touches on different areas that are usually subconscious driving forces in how people live and act, such as mental health, life obstacles and the difficulties that come with cultural assimilation. The aim of the exhibit is to prompt people to be more empathetic and understanding towards others, who may come from a different place mentally and physically, to make the world a better place. The audience is able to interact with the exhibition pieces with their mobile devices.
Why: Seems unnecessary when we already have three main augmented realities through which we can simulate emotion and altruism. One of them now has Dark Mode.
https://on.com.au/search/search?parentId=cca8f460-4ea0-11ea-96b7-b132cf2a7536
7) Whisky & Cheese Experience
19th February
What: This masterclass is co-presented by cheese expert Claudia Bowman and one of Australia’s top single malt experts David Ligoff who will enthral you in their showcase of an impressive and independent selection of artisan cheese and whisky. It includes a whisky cocktail on arrival at the Sir Stamford at Circular Quay, followed by a 90-minute presentation of four single malt whiskies and six artisan cheeses.
Why: We think the use of the word ‘enthral’ is a little premature. You might want to wait until the morning after. What’ll come out of you will fit the term far better.
https://on.com.au/search/events/Whisky-and-Cheese-Experience/2e3985b0-4eaa-11ea-96b7-b132cf2a7536
6) Moonlite Tour
21st February
What: Artist and NAS alumnus Todd Fuller will tell the incredible true tale of Captain Moonlite, a notorious bushranger and inmate of the convict-built Darlinghurst Gaol, and his lover James Nesbitt. Fuller will lead a tour of the historic National Art School site, ending with a special screening of his animated artwork recounting the affair of Moonlite and Nesbitt.
Why: Proof that no romance in an art school student can exist without one party reassuring the other that they’re the next Warhol.
https://on.com.au/search/events/Moonlite-Tour/5a5dc3d0-4eab-11ea-96b7-b132cf2a7536
5) Untamed Whisky of the World Part 2
19th February
What: On this expedition, Websters Bar will be pairing some extravagantly rare and wonderful drams accompanied with beers from Feral Brewing, one of their favourite Breweries out of the Swan Valley in Western Australia. They will be showcasing whiskies from across the globe, including Websters Maker’s Mark Barrel Aged, Hibiki 17YR Japanese Blended Malt, (a dram in extremely rare supply) and Legent Bourbon Whisky.
Why: Vomiting after this one does not mean you’re an alcoholic, it’s the human body’s reaction when someone becomes innately superior to all of their colleagues and loved ones.
4) ‘Queer Words That Changed My Life’ Salon
21st February
What: Spend an evening in an indulgent queer salon at NAS, surrounded by a family of queer orators who will delight you with short readings from their most treasured pieces of queer literature and words that changed their life. Hear from some courageous 78ers and a host of queer celebrities, identities, advocates, heroes, young voices and the newest talents. Sip champagne, enjoy an array of sweet and savoury delights and invoke the literary history of queer storytelling. Celebrate words that matter. Add to your salon experience with the Moonlite pop-up bar and Print with Pride pop-up.
Why: All the exhausting pretentiousness and alcoholism of a university class without the crushing, life-long debt.
3) Salvador Dali: In Search Of Immortality (Screening)
19th February
What: A fascinating journey through the life and work of Salvador Dalí, and also of Gala, his muse and collaborator. It starts in 1929, a crucial year in Dalí’s career and life, as he joined the surrealist group and met Gala, and advances until the year of the artist’s death in 1989. Contemplating Salvador Dalí himself, Gala, a tour of his creations, family approaches and distancing, all through images and documents, some of them unpublished, brings us closer to a painter who has managed to create a character that is a work of art itself. With this documentary we can go beyond the character and approach the painter and the man, and the spaces conceived by him that have helped to shape his immortality, the immortality of a genius.
Why: Those who do not want to imitate anything, produce nothing.
2) Short+Sweet Theatre
16th February-26th April
What: The biggest little play festival will be returning once again with a smorgasbord of 10-minute plays to delight your tastebuds, with hundreds of talented actors, writers and directors showcasing their skills and bringing you a wonderful season of short theatre. The Short+Sweet festival is a wonderful tool for writers, directors and actors who want to share their voice and talent in a professional environment and venue. The festival multiplies participants’ raw and creative energy, with different ensembles, directors and writers exchanging ideas, learning from each other and providing creative inspiration.
Why: They’ve somehow managed to make a shorter run-time in live theatre more indie. This truly is the golden age of humanity.
1) Jason Alexander ‘Master of His Domain’ Tour
22nd February
What: Jason Alexander – Master of His Domain is an evening of comedy, music and conversation with the award winning star of stage and screen where you, the audience get to decide what’s let out of the vault. Alexander will present a variety of topics for the audience to pick and choose from, culminating in behind the scenes story of his life and his brilliant career. Ask him anything! In addition to his hit role on Seinfeld, he has starred on Broadway, has been nominated for six consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards and appeared in hit films like Pretty Woman and Shallow Hal. He’s an actor, director, producer, writer, kids book author, award winning magician, semi-pro poker player and social/political activist. You’ll feel more inadequate than George Costanza once you’ve heard all the amazing things Jason Alexander has managed to achieve in his career. So don’t be a Costanza and get your tickets for this once in a lifetime event – it’s gonna be a Festivus for the rest of us!
Why: As you can see from the press release for the event, he’s clearly moved on from the Seinfeld days in terms of his career and his personal mental development.
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