Monday, 1 October 2012

A bit of Art & About: Part I

James Dive & The Glue Society,  I Wish You Hadn't Asked

Sydney Art & About
Art in unusual places
Various locations around Sydney: September 21- October 21, 2012

This time every year art starts materialising in unexpected places around Sydney. This is Art & About. I love the premise of this month long festival and its ability to not only bring art into the everyday and to people who would ordinarily not get involved but to turn seemingly mundane areas of the city into works of art.

I Wish You Hadn't Asked by James Dive and the Glue Society is fantastic. A makeshift house that looks ordinary enough but step inside and it is a different story. Donning a bright yellow raincoat, as you step through the door the first thing to hit you is the smell. The repugnant,overwhelming smell of decay and mould is like a slap in the face. Inside, it's not just raining, it's pouring and suddenly I'm grateful I took my shoes off. The bath is overflowing, the bed is sunken with an abandoned sewing machine giving the house a sense of life.        
James Dive & The Glue Society,  I Wish You Hadn't Asked

Representing that moment in a relationship when things are said that cannot be taken back, I Wish You Hadn't Asked presents the decay of a relationship and how quickly rot can set in. If you get the opportunity this work is definitely worth a look. I doubt very much I will ever have the opportunity to experience rain inside a house ever again. 

James Dive & The Glue Society,  I Wish You Hadn't Asked

James Dive & The Glue Society,  I Wish You Hadn't Asked

Louise Whelan, By The Pool

The quality of photographs in the Sydney Life exhibition is of an exceptional standard this year. It's always interesting to see what images are chosen to portray life in Sydney and there is quite a diverse group on show this year.

Sally McInerney, Shark in pool, Dover Heights

Ann-Maree Moodie, Bunnies on the line

Hyde Park

Analiese Cairis, The Banner Gallery: In Colour

I had high expectations of the Banner Gallery this year, given last year’s installation, and while I fully understand the concept behind it, I'm not convinced. Inspired by the work of Johannes Itten, a pioneer in contemporary colour theory, who wrote about the importance of colour in nature, art, science and technology. They're vibrant but easily dismissed.  

Paired Gold, Wilmont Street

I head to Wilmont Street expecting to be amazed by an alley way transformed by gold, 'shimmers with gold' the program promised. As you can see, it really didn't. Not even when you squint and cock your head to the side.

There's still more to see but a great deal of Art & About is only viewable at night so keep posted for part two.

Analiese Cairis, The Banner Gallery: In Colour

Analiese Cairis, The Banner Gallery: In Colour

Analiese Cairis, The Banner Gallery: In Colour



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