in the loop aug: 21 quick picks & opportunities

realtime advance word

Zhang Peili, Q + A + Q (2012). Two channel video installation with audio.

maap space

For over 15 years Multimedia Art Asia Pacific (MAAP) has been promoting media art across the Asia Pacific region. Founded in 1998 by director Kim Machan, MAAP has produced seven international festivals in Brisbane, Beijing, and Singapore. MAAP has also initiated a range of collaborative and touring projects bringing artists together from over 14 countries. (See RealTime’s extensive coverage of MAAP Singapore, 2004). Entering a new phase of operation, MAAP has opened an exhibition space in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane. The inaugural exhibition features work by acclaimed Chinese media artist Zhang Peili. Peili’s 1988 piece 30 X 30 is generally accepted to be the first video artwork to be exhibited in China. (See RT98.) Machan says that the exhibition, which presents a collection of Peili's works from the last 20 years, sets up a 'conversation' between recent pieces and those from the 90s.
Zhang Peili, MAAP Space, 111 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane, Aug 4-Sept 15, 2012; http://www.maap.org.au/projects/maap-space/

arthere

Matt Palmer House Maroubra (from Suburban Songs), ARTHERE

A new space is about to open in Sydney focusing on photomedia. Sandy Edwards set up ARTHERE as a vehicle for promotion, mentoring and the delivery of photographic exhibitions in alternative spaces—such as shopfronts, embassies, cafes, hotel lobbies and apartment buildings. In an interview in RT102 Edwards stated “I guess it’s subversive in a way to try to find other venues in the hope that it will move things around. This is a time when lots of people are looking for different models.” (See RT102) However Edwards was always aware of the importance of a space that “speaks for itself” and so, as of September 1, ARTHERE will have its own home in the burgeoning artistic borough of Redfern. The opening exhibition will feature the work of Catherine Cloran, Matt Palmer and Julie Williams. Edwards is also seeking proposals for exhibitions for the rest of the year.
ARTHERE, opening exhibition Sept 1 -22, 126 Regent Street, Redfern; http://www.arthere.com.au/

untitled (colloquial: atrocity exhibitions), jack sargeant & linsey gosper

Jack Sargeant, Linsey Gosper courtesy the artists

Also focusing on photography is Untitled (colloquial: Atrocity Exhibitions), a curatorial collaboration between Revelation Film Festival director Jack Sargeant (see RT109) and photographer Linsey Gosper (cover girl of RT62 featured in RT64). The exhibition's title is borrowed from a J G Ballard novel, and like the book, it explores “the emergence of new manifestations of the psychosexual unconscious” (press release). The artist line-up looks provocative, featuring photography from spoken word cult goddess Lydia Lunch; Monte Cazazza, said to have coined the term ‘Industrial Music’ and frequent contributor to the seminal Re/Search publications; and Romain Slocombe, exhibiting “post-trauma fetishism” (press release). There will also be photomedia works from filmmakers Tyler Hubby and Usama Alshaibi, interdisciplinary artist Samantha Sweeting and a collaborative series from the curators. Where better to view this stimulating collection than in the car park that is ALASKA Projects.
Untitled (colloquial: Atrocity Exhibitions), ALASKA Projects, Level 2, Kings Cross Car Park, Aug 21-26; https://www.facebook.com/events/329503200472642/

arcade assembly, shopfont contemporary arts

Arcade Assembly: games by students from Beverly Hills IEC; Fairfield IEC; Lomandra School photos courtesy Shopfront

The profile, agenda (and names) of youth theatres have changed significantly over the last 10 years and Shopfront, now titled Shopfront Contemporary Arts and Performance is a prime example. Their latest project Arcade Assembly is the culmination of outreach programs with young people aged 10 to 25 from a range of schools and organisations in southern and Western Sydney—St George Mental Health Service, Lomandra School (Campbelltown), Beverly Hills IEC (Intensive English Centre) and Fairfield IEC—as well as members of Shopfront’s Bodyline Ensemble and ArtsLab participants. Under the directorial eye of Caitlin Newton-Broad along with her team of supporting artists, such as designers Katja Handt and Jessica Sinclair-Martin, interactive expert Grant Moxom and composer Michael Moebus (aka Meem), the theatre space at Carlton will be converted into "part giant board game, part labyrinth” (press release) with a variety of games and experiences devised by the young people engaged in the project. Audience members enter the space, choose a “pocket avatar” and, as they work their way through the challenges, discover more clues about their pocket friend.
Arcade Assembly, Shopfont Contemporary Arts and Performance, Shopfront Theatre 88 Carlton Parade, Carlton; Aug 22-26; www.shopfront.org.au

micromachina aqua, scott bain

Resource Exploration, Micromachina Aqua, Scott Bain courtesy the artist

There’s still time to catch mixed media artist Scott Bain’s intricate creations at the South Australian Maritime Museum as part of the annual South Australian Living Artists Festival (SALA). Bain’s 2011 work Micromachina (see video), exploring the insect world, was a hit of the Adelaide Fringe Festival winning him the award for Best Visual Art Emerging Artist. For this project he turns to the creatures of the sea, creating dioramas which draw viewers' attention to “the destruction caused by overfishing, oil spills and now gas exploration…causing irreversible damage to fragile underwater ecosystems” (press release).
Scott Bain, Micromachina Aqua, South Australian Maritime Museum, 126 Lipson Street, Port Adelaide, August 3-26; http://www.micromachina.com/

opportunities

wow 2013, wift

Given the recent Palm D’or nominations in Cannes—22 films all by male directors—it seems there is still a need for events like the World of Women Film Festival (WOW). Run by Women In Film and Television (WIFT), the 19th manifestation of WOW will take place in March 2013 and the call for entries is now open. Films must either have a female director or at least two females in roles of either producer, writer, editor, cinematographer, production designer/art director or central actor. Coming in under 55mins they can be fiction, documentary, animation, student films or digi-vodule. (A digi-vodule is a short film 4mins or less for digital delivery—see the WOW youtube channel for the 2011 digi-vodule selection). The early bird deadline is Aug 31, 2012 followed by the closing date October 19, and late entry by November 2. Meanwhile selections from the 2012 festival are currently touring around the country, as well as Sweden and Mongolia. For more information see www.wift.org/wow

2high festival, backbone

Brisbane’s Backbone Youth Arts is gearing up for the 19th 2high multi-arts festival for young and emerging artists. Guided by a team of 12 emerging producers the festival will take place over one day, November 10, transforming every nook and cranny of the Brisbane Powerhouse. The call for proposals is open to emerging artists working in performance, music and visual arts and closes August 31. For more information see http://www.backbone.org.au/2highfestival/

kickstart program, adt

Australian Dance Theatre is offering an intensive training program open to graduate and graduating tertiary dances taking place at the ADT Studios in Adelaide from October 31–November 21, 2012. Successful applicants will spend three weeks working with ADT director Garry Stewart including training and making work. There is also another intensive planned for April/May 2013. Deadline for applications is August 31. For more information www.adt.org.au/kickstart

eu culture program

In 2013, Australia and Canada are the chosen “third” countries for the European Union Culture Program. Overseen by the European Commission the program “funds projects and initiatives to develop cross-border collaborations between cultural operators and organisations” (website). Projects must involve three European partners (a lead organisation plus two supporting partners) and can involve a range of practices from performing arts to literature, cultural heritage to interdisciplinary projects. Any type of organisation is eligible and 50% of the project must take place in Australia. Funding will range from €50,000 and €200,000 per project amounting to no more than 50% of the budget. Applications are due May 3, 2013 (so there’s plenty of time to plan) and projects must take place between November 1, 2013 and October 31, 2015. For more information see http://www.australiacouncil.gov.au/about_us/our_structure/market_development/eu-culture-programme (NB: this is not an Australia Council Funding program)

RealTime issue #110 Aug-Sept 2012 pg. web

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