Abandoned buildings, darkened tunnels, the drains beneath your feet – these spaces are largely undermined by society. In Trespassers Welcome, Timothy L invites audiences to explore the creations of the inhabitants of these invisible dens. Street artists, birdwatchers, skateboarders and freight hoppers – the mixed-media exhibition is a tribute to outsiders and the beauty they create in the underground. Trespassers Welcome will be exhibited at the Judith Wright Centre until February 11.
Culture
Pssst, we have a secret to tell you: there’s a bunch of secret people that go to secret locations and watch secret films. Sound intriguing? Secret Cinema emulates the buzz of a flash mob, but is exclusively invite-only, with details of the underground locations kept cleverly quiet until the last minute. The innovative minds behind these pop-up interactive screenings are aiming to change the way people experience film. Specialising in creating living, breathing cinematic events, Future Cinema is known for fusing film and improvised performance with curated design and multimedia to challenge people’s expectations of watching a movie. With its roots in London but growing globally, you can now register online to attend one of these exciting, mysterious silver-screen adventures in your country.
Image via Secret Cinema.
‘Cycle chic’ has become quite the trend, with importance placed both on fashion and your bicycle’s look. The cobble-stoned streets of Copenhagen are filled with helmet-less ladies and gents all dolled up, coasting from destination A to B. Electra Townie riders may enjoy popping past Paris’ Coutume Café for their morning brew, but fixie enthusiasts will feel more at home at Look Mum No Hands! in London. Serving up an array of sweet and savoury dishes from early breakfast to late dinner (they’re open until 10:00 pm each night), they also have a workshop and mechanics on hand to fix those sneaky chains while you sip your locally roasted coffee. Whether you’ve donned Lycra or Louis Vuitton, if you enjoy a good latte or a cold beer, you’ll be welcome at this cycle cafe.
Image by Paul Hart via Look Mum No Hands!
In the architectural world, a once-futuristic design can quickly spiral into a shell-shocked state, when a design fails to capture public favour. The infamous Italian housing estate Le Vele di Scampia, originally designed in hopes of being revolutionary in its representation of Italian socialism, but which now symbolises its failure, has been visually documented by German artist Tobias Zielony at the Institute of Modern Art, until February 4.
A Francophile’s love affair with France might manifest itself in a spray of fine perfume, or an impressive collection of Breton-striped shirts. Whatever form the infatuation takes, the stylish allure of France captivates all the senses. Celebrating French charm, music and culture, So Frenchy, So Chic once again returns to the Brisbane Powerhouse to showcase the best of the vibrant French music scene. Bluegrass band Moriarty joins compelling French-Nigerian solo artist Asa in a double-billed performance when So Frenchy, So Chic comes to Brisbane Powerhouse on January 20.
Kickstarting the Queensland Theatre Company’s 2012 season, Australian classic Summer of the Seventeenth Doll will star theatre luminary Robyn Nevin. Later in the year, Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers will come to life on the stage, when QTC performs Romeo and Juliet. Set to transform into an artist’s lounge and workshop space, the company’s home turf Bille Brown Studio will morph into The GreenHouse – a creative incubator in May, July and October. The Queensland Theatre Company’s new season kicks off from February 22 at various local locations, including QPAC and Bille Brown Studio.
The miniature fantasy world created by Perth-based artists Pip & Pop is everything you ever imagined as a child plus more. Think the land of the Ning Nang Nong meets Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. A place where the tooth fairy might wind down after a hard night’s work. Using sand, sugar and cake-decorating tools, artists Nicole Andrijevic and Tanya Schultz play on mythology, cosmology and nostalgia. As part of the Brisbane Gallery of Modern Art’s fifth anniversary celebrations, We Miss You Magic Land! is an excursion into a world of colour for the young and young at heart. Relax on the grassy knoll and gaze upon the giant sugary clouds, wander past the glitter lagoon and peer through portals into a tiny universe of creativity. The installation will be at the GoMA until March 2012, but you can always take a virtual tour.
Synonymous with exquisite Danish design, the Georg Jensen collection celebrates Nordic culture and craft. Located off Edward Street in the recently refurbished Wintergarden shopping precinct, the new Georg Jensen boutique exudes a sleek aesthetic and a sense of unruffled serenity. Browse striking pieces from the homewares range or stunning jewellery such as bangles from the iconic Fusion collection. We have our eye on the smooth polished-steel curves of this pitcher – the perfect vessel for a colourful punch laden with summer fruit.
Whether you lean towards craft workshops, picnic events under shady trees or games on the giant sprawling lawns, you are sure to discover delightful treats as part of the festive Made with Love campaign at South Bank. Inspiring a sense of community, handmade gifts and authentic experiences, Christmas at South Bank will bring a sense of old-world charm, including lounging areas, live music and a themed marquee. Throw on a summer frock or don your dapper best and join in outdoor lawn games such as badminton, chess, croquet, ping pong or quoits.
It’s the innate magical ability of music that enraptures an audience. SOULO Voices will take audiences on a globally inspired journey, from Ireland to the corners of Tibet. Four singer-songwriters will perform their solo works: Tenzin Choegyal will unveil traditional Tibetan composition fused with contemporary rhythms and Alan Kelly will perform traditional Celtic tunes. Nadia Sunde from The Swing Set will perform her solo roots music, and Anje West (from The View From Madeleine’s Couch) will release a touch of Brazilian fervour. Experience SOULO Voices at Judith Wright Centre on December 9.
A photo can capture an intimate glance, a breathtaking view, or a single snapshot of time. Local photographer Mark Lobo’s latest film-photography series, Von Vintage, focuses on keepsakes of the past, captured through the eyes of a dying medium. Harnessing the art of vintage film photography, Mark uses old vintage film cameras in an effort to capture and preserve a bygone era. Capturing the beauty and the intrigue of objects that were once a part of everyday life, but are now gradually making their way to op-shop shelves, Mark focuses on creating images that capture ‘vintage on vintage’. Photographing old-school, vintage and retro items at antique stores around Brisbane, Mark exhibits and sells his Von Vintage prints online. Von Vintage images will be on display at Urban Grind, 121 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington, from November 27 to December 10. For more information email mark@vonvintage.com or phone 0415 582 661.
Image Courtesy of Mark Lobo.
Diana Thater, a controversial artist residing in Los Angeles, has brought her work to Brisbane once again. Her audacious show features video installations that tell a visual tale of Ukrainian nuclear plant Chernobyl, following its 1986 explosion. With deeply moving imagery of a post-apocalyptic landscape and way of life, the exhibition represents the failure of social systems, questions politics and science and reminds us that life should not be taken for granted. Diana’s Chernobyl will be on show at IMA until February 4.
Via Next Level: The idea behind this video was to document whatever sort of culture could be found in Brooklyn within an 8 hour span with literally no pre-production.
Although an unlikely coupling, electronic music and traditional handmade instruments can create a musical language that is capable of uniting old and young, East and West. Turkish-born, Montreal-based musician, producer and DJ Mercan Dede is returning to Brisbane, joined by trio of traditional Turkish musicians, the Istanbul Quartet. Blending traditional instruments such as flutes and clarinets with modern musical technology, this innovative and unique show is sure to be an intriguing musical concoction. Mercan Dede performs at the Brisbane Powerhouse on November 23.
Considered a lyrical genius even from the grave, John Lennon and his music is being rediscovered through Australian performer John Waters’ critically acclaimed production, Looking Through A Glass Onion. A celebration of the memory and music of the former Beatle and self-proclaimed dreamer, the show evokes feelings of wonder through moving recomposition of iconic songs such as ‘Imagine’, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ and ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’. Looking Through A Glass Onion comes to QPAC on November 25.
The Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) is celebrating its 20th year, and as part of the special Filmmakers in Focus sessions, the classic film La Dolce Vita will come to life once again on the big screen. We Who Have Lived La Dolce Vita is an inspiring archival tribute to director Federico Fellini’s most famous masterpiece. Fellini’s sumptuous film will also be screened at the festival on Saturday November 12, giving audiences the chance to step back in time. For screening times and locations, visit the BIFF website.
When Hypatia decided to put her passion for ridiculously complex mathematics to good use, she hadn’t counted on her gender obscuring her career goals. One of the world’s first-recognised female mathematicians and philosophers, Hypatia dabbled in Platonism, logic and astronomy more than 1600 years ago. Queensland Theatre Company brings Hypatia’s story to life in Fractions, where the brilliant scholar’s world is thrown into turmoil when she is faced with the task of protecting every piece of written knowledge in her world. Fractions will be performed at QPAC from November 14 to December 10.
A unique way to interact with the amazing world of National Geographic.
Judith Wright Centre will host the biggest and the shortest theatre festival this month, with the return of Short+Sweet Theatre, the world’s biggest celebration of ten-minute theatre. Throwing a spotlight on short, concise and compact theatre, the revolutionary festival will see local and international writers, actors and theatre enthusiasts convene globally in cities including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, Malaysia, Auckland and Delhi. Experience Short+Sweet Theatre Festival from November 10–20 at Judith Wright Centre.
Inspired by the rich cultural, sartorial and epicurean fabric of Brisbane, map magazine has created an iPhone app that taps into the city’s best creative minds and makes recommendations based on where they like to eat, drink, shop and play. A Local’s Guide has consulted Brisbane’s arbiters of all things cool and creative, and features their local secrets as part of the app, which will randomly generate creative suggestions for people to experience in Brisbane across various categories. A Local’s Guide is now available to download from the iTunes store and you can submit your own local secrets via the website.
