Look back through the most iconic celebrity portraits of the last 50 years. Chances are, the man behind the camera for many of them was Douglas Kirkland. He’s been alone in a room with Marilyn Monroe clad only in a satin sheet and a smile, met his wife through Audrey Hepburn, spent weeks in the company of Coco Chanel, and has captured the inner spirits of some of pop culture’s greatest enigmas. With a retrospective of Douglas’ work taking up residence at GoMA from September 11 as part of Brisbane Festival 2010, one might think that the iconic photographer’s career is slowing down. But at 75 years old, this affable gentleman is working as hard as ever, with as much passion, enthusiasm and pure joy as when he first picked up the camera at age 10.
If actors are typically boisterous types, then Sibylla Budd stands apart from the rest. Softly spoken, sweet and self-effacing, she doesn’t fit the mould of someone who seeks out the spotlight and
bares their soul on cue. Yet the Canberra-bred, Sydney-based actress manages all this and more. She has worked gracefully across theatre, film and television roles in Australia for more than
10 years, which is no small feat in such a capricious industry. She also worked on a documentary about Tanzania for World Vision and scored a lead role in Baz Luhrmann’s breathtaking ‘Come Walkabout’ campaign for Tourism Australia in 2008. As we speak, Sibylla is in Brisbane rehearsing for Queensland Theatre Company’s season of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal, opening September 6. While she still gets opening-night jitters, Sibylla says she feels free on stage because theatre is, after all, her first love.
As Shakespeare so eruditely noted, ‘Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them’. While Dion Lee is loath to think of himself as great by any definition of the word, the rest of the fashion world begs to differ. Still only 24, the irrefutably humble fashion designer has managed to deliver two breathtaking collections in the space of two years, the most recent of which was received with superlatives usually reserved for grand couturiers on the catwalks of Paris and Milan. And while Dion’s heart lies firmly in Australian soil, the rest of the world is starting to take notice.
Brad Pengelly’s menswear label, Jamie Fame, is variously inspired by gothic love songs, dark nights and vampire love, so it’s a bit of a surprise that Brad’s disposition is at the other end of the scale. The 25-year-old self-taught designer is breezy and bright-eyed, likes to surf and is happy to be based on the Sunshine Coast and geographically removed from the heady world of fashion in other cities. His uncomplicated character also informs Jamie Fame’s aesthetic, which is all about clean lines and pristine tailoring, muted palettes and sombre styling. As Jamie Fame secures its 17th stockist around Australia and releases its sixth collection, Brad is finding all the pieces of the puzzle are starting to fall into place. Must be time to launch a new label then …
Imagine you are sitting in your lounge room, glass of wine in hand, perhaps flicking through a magazine or surfing the television channels. Now imagine that a mere hour later your house now lies in rubble, your possessions destroyed save for the clothes on your back. When a natural disaster such as an earthquake or tsunami strikes, the simple feat of surviving the impact is a miracle. But for the survivors who remain in disaster zones like those following the earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, or the tsunami in Samoa, starting from scratch and continuing to survive is a mammoth challenge. In response to such dire need, a German company is using making use of used shipping containers to help communities overcome such challenges. Green Container International Aid is responding to the crisis in Haiti and Chile with a long-term rebuilding plan that…
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” While the erudite author who penned this quote still remains unknown, his or her words have echoed in the hearts of generations. A moment, a fleeting passing of time, can render a life begun, a life extinguished, a love lost, a love found, a friend made, an idea had, or a promise made. Based in New York and Los Angeles, film production company Everynone has created the short film Moments, which captures the myriad moments experienced throughout our lives, some meaningful, some meaningless, some heartfelt, some heartwrenching. Filled with tears, laughter, pain and elation, the film is a poignant celebration of the sheer beauty of life’s simple moments.
For those who err on the side of the right brain rather than the left, a mere glimpse of a graph or table can instill fear, palpitations and cold sweats. David McCandless, an award-winning writer, designer and author based in London, has dreamed up a far more creative (and right-brain friendly) way of communicating facts and figures. His new book Information Is Beautiful explores the potential of data visualisation as a new direction for journalism and storytelling. From the ‘Billion-dollar-ogram’, which puts into perspective the amount of spending throughout the world in relation to foreign aid, the GFC and Third-World Debt, to the ‘Mountains out of Molehills’ graphic, which illustrates the number of feared world crises that haven’t eventuated, David’s creative infographics are a wonderful way to make sense out of what would usually seem to be a jumble of information.
Throughout the ages, a person who could muster a tune from their water/beer/coke/wine bottle has been oft admired (and occasionally despised if said person is also tone deaf. Never before, however, has a drinking vessel actually come readily equipped to be used as a musical instrument. Tuned Pale Ale is a product that explores the musical potential in everyday objects and promotes social spontaneity. While drinking beer, people become encouraged to start making music with objects around them. This product aims to promote more of this type of social interaction and to inform users about the musical qualities of existing bottles and to make the bottle a better instrument. A clearly marked graphic on the side of the label tells a user what notes can be played at certain levels of liquid by blowing across the top, while the beer case can also be used for percussive accompaniment.
Milan has long been known as one of the world’s fashion capitals, so it’s no surprise that it’s also home to one of the world’s most fashionable hotels. Maison Moschino hotel is as fashionable as it is historic, housed in Milan’s first rail station, with haute couture allure and deliciously avant-garde decor. Coming from mega-brand Moschino, style and surrealism are to be expected – the rooms are inspired by fairytales and other abstract concepts. If you fancy a night in Wonderland, check into Alice’s Room where you can entertain your colourful guests at a tea-cup table lit by the intimate glow of a surreal lightbulb. Or for those looking to indulge their inner Cinderella, the Sleeping in a Ballgown suite will make you feel like a princess – complete with a ballgown hanging behind the bed. To book Maison Moschino visit www.mrandmrssmith.com or phone…
French songbird Belle du Berry and Australian multi-instrumentalist David Lewis make their Judith Wright Centre debuts on Friday September 3. Belle and David have been performing together for more than ten years as members of the acclaimed band Paris Combo, blending classic French cabaret and American jazz and selling out gigs at some of the worlds top venues including 17,000-seat Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Following the release of their new album Quizz and recent performances in Europe and Australia, Brisbane audiences will be treated to the intoxicating sounds of Belle Du Berry and David Lewis. In this very special one-night-only concert they will be joined by Rémy Kaprielan on drums and Denis Hénault-Parizel on bass and guitar. Tickets are still available for purchase.
Brisbane Festival 2010 is proud to present, in association with Queensland Art Gallery, the first major Australian retrospective of the work of world-renowned photographer Douglas Kirkland. He has photographed some of the worlds most celebrated public figures including Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Brigitte Bardot, Katherine Hepburn, Marlene Dietrich, Twiggy, Orson Welles, John Wayne, Robert Redford, Sophia Loren, Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie and countless others. The landmark exhibition, Douglas Kirkland: A Life in Pictures, features a tantalising mix of celebrity portraits, images from Australian films and the premier presentation of photographs taken during the production of Michael Jackson’s seminal 1983 music video, Thriller. Entry to the exhibition is free and will run from September 11– 24 September at GoMA. Click here for more information. Image courtesy of Douglas Kirkland.
Hitting Australian shores for the first time are Swedish duo First Aid Kit. The singing sisters will prove they are more than just a YouTube sensation, bringing their unique blend of indie folk harmonies Down Under after impressing crowds in the UK, USA and Europe. The iconic Spiegeltent has travelled all the way from Belgium to form the hub of Brisbane Festival 2010 and will bring the music to a new location this year in the heart of the city at King George Square. Don’t miss First Aid Kit at The Spiegeltent on September 10–11 at 7:00 pm. Click here for bookings.
Circa’s ensemble of young artists, Circa Zoo will perform Strange Familiar Angel, a world premiere at Brisbane Festival’s QUT Festival Theatre. Strange Familiar Angel, a mesmerising collision as circus skills and young people come together in a supernova of light, bodies, sound and action – guaranteed to astonish audiences. Strange Familiar Angel takes the audience on a white-knuckle ride of metaphysical exploration where performers find their limits, then leap off into the unknown through acrobatics and action, trapeze and touch, contortion and coming of age. Don’t miss out on your chance to spend a night in wonderland. Get along to the QUT Festival Theatre at Brisbane Powerhouse during Brisbane Festival 2010 and experience the incredible world of Circa. Click here for bookings. Image courtesy of Eclipse Photography.
Brisbane music fans – get ready to take in a stellar line-up, a ’season of the coolest home-grown and international indie acts heading to the Sunshine State as part of Brisbane Festival 2010. The most opulent of pop-up bars, live music venue The Spiegeltent will play host to a selection of much-loved and up-and-coming artists. After 20 years in the music industry performing with the likes of PJ Harvey and Moby, critically acclaimed Canadian performer Buck 65 will add some international star power to the bill. See him at The Spiegeltent at King George Square on September 18–19 at 7:00 pm. Click here for bookings.
The streets of Melbourne are set to come alive with a thriving cultural showcase during the Melbourne Fringe Festival 2010. Launching on September 1, the festival will celebrate the talents of more than 4,000 artists, as the city explodes with the latest in contemporary art practice. The Ultimate Melbourne Fringe Weekend Competition gives art and culture lovers in Brisbane and Adelaide the chance to experience the festival’s magical charm. The prize winner and a friend will win tickets to Melbourne, three nights luxury accommodation and a jam-packed program full of the very best that Melbourne has to offer, including a VIP Pass to the festival. Applications are open until September 8. Visit the Melbourne Fringe Festival’s website for more information.
For some people, there is no greater joy than being out on the open water, be it swimming, surfing, sailing or simply floating. Last Hope is 16 original short films brought to life in a night devoted to the freedom of the open water and the people who live in its spirit. It will elevate the traditional surf film into an artistic vision, treading deep to the heart of the subculture with a soundtrack performed live by The Windy Hills, Holly Throsby and Machine Translations. Last Hope plays on August 25 at Brisbane Powerhouse. Contributing filmmakers include Albert Falzon, Richard Kenvin, Monty Webber and Andrew Kidman.
Those fortunate enough to embark on a culinary journey around the world may find themselves savouring chicken roasted over hot coals on a Jamaican beach, or tucking into spiced lamb in Lebanon. Whilst jet setting across the globe may not always be a reality when planning your next meal, you can now infuse your kitchen with international flavours, thanks to a clever online dining concept. Destination Dinners bring recipe kits from around the globe into your own home. Covering cuisine from every corner of the world, the kits include recipes and ingredients ranging from Jeju Island, Korea, to Pattaya in Thailand, all the way to Haifa, Israel. The neatly arranged recipe kits include hard-to-source pre-measured spices, dried ingredients, full cooking instructions and a super-organised shopping list to take to the supermarket.
The bed covers are warm and nestled just below your chin, a small sliver of morning light slips under your curtains, and your dreams continue, blissfully interrupted – until you are rudely interrupted by the shrill screech of your bedside alarm clock. With the SnūzNLūz WiFi Donation Alarm Clock there is no room to hit the snooze button and roll over for a few more moments of guilty dozing. As soon as your finger presses the snooze button, the alarm clock wirelessly links to your bank account and donates to a cause that makes your blood boil. Drawing on the concept of hate and animosity, the SnūzNLūz concept encourages meat eaters to donate to a vegetarian cause or property developers to donate to the Wilderness Society.
When books are cast off the shelves and into oblivion, they lose their place in the world, no longer required for library duty, becoming unwelcome guests in bookstores and household collections. Rather than heading straight for the rubbish bin, more than 40,000 reclaimed books have been ingeniously used to build an outdoor library, sown with mushrooms. Created as part of the 11th International Garden Festival in Métis, the unusual garden is a haven for bookworms in Quebec. Christened Jardin de la Connaissance (the Garden of Knowledge), the design explores the cultural links between knowledge and nature. As the books yield to the elements, their withering pages become a breeding ground for new life, with an array of mushroom varieties sprouting from the pages.
A pair of worn pointe shoes, wide satin ribbons neatly wrapped around the lithe legs of a ballerina, are a rare sight to be seen on New York City’s industrial wharfs. Photographer Dane Shitagi follows the routine of a ballet company in the Big Apple, photographing ballerinas dancing amidst iconic New York haunts. The New York City Ballerina Project juxtaposes the elusive behind-the-scenes life of a working ballerina with a stark and busy New York backdrop. Dane’s project includes a ballerina performing a graceful arabesque in the Meat Market, en pointe in Washington Square and donning a full tutu in an apartment in Queens. Taking ballet from the stage to the streets, each of Dane’s portraits explores the collaborative relationship between ballet, fashion and photography.
