HOT IN THE CITY

It’s time for Sydney -siders to do what Sydney siders do best- a gaudy display of glitter and glossy goodness.

Angus Malcolm, Boys At The Lumina 03, 2011

Mardi Gras season is fast approaching with the kick off of the annual GLBT Mardi Gras Festival (February 19^th- March the sixth). Beyond the usual antics, my pick of the bunch is to get your self to the Iain Dawson Gallery on Oxford Street to see the group exhibition Hot in the City.

This exhibition puts together the work of some of Australia’s most exciting emerging artists; Alun Rhys Jones and Dan Gladden who will be joined by UK based photographer Angus Malcolm (of naked calendar fame). Dan Gladden’s works in particular is something to behold, tainted with a hint of fetish; his pre dominantly oil based works are strong and punchy, extremely masculine and sexually charged.

Dan Gladden, Cadet Hero, 2011

An art exhibition which centres on sexuality is a somewhat tricky issue. These types of exhibition tend to repeat themselves in their content; a white cube full of muscular torsos and artfully placed hand –over- crotch numbers. In contrast to an exhibition perhaps, which celebrates the work of a gay artist through a wider selection of works. It will be interesting to see what Iain Dawson Gallery has chosen to hang for this show.

However it is Sydney. Mardi Gras. Oxford Street.

So I am expecting a lot of exposed flesh...which is in no way a bad thing, especially when coming from the talented new blood of Australia’s creative’s.

Hot in the city runs from the 15^th of February until the sixth of March

All images are courtesy of Iain Dawson Gallery. Copyright 2011

No text may be reproduced without permission

Opening night: This Thursday the 17^th of February 6-8

Iain Dawson gallery 443 Oxford Street, Paddington.

Alun Rhys Jones, Visual Brand Identity, 2011

LET THEM EAT CAKE

Although SOMENEWPLACE is all about the fine business of art, from time to time you must eat cake.
There is no better cake to eat than those made by my buddy Connie who runs CONNIES CAKES
check out this ginger god crazy cake below...mucho impressed. So if you would like a cake do not go to Woolies bakery -contact Connie, it shites all over everything else with whipped cream goodness.




CONNIESCAKES@HOTMAIL.COM

EXCITING A BLUSH

Autumnal is a new baby with lots of promise. Formed by six of Australia’s youngest independent artists on the creative block (Laura Boynes, Dean Cross, Angela Goh, Chrissy Norford, Eleanor Wood and Patricia Wood) all of Canberra fame and all bringing a nice sizzle to the performance art and contemporary dance sector. Exciting a Blush was the debut of Autumnal and the choreographic debut for Autumnal member Angela Goh, its Sydney season was held at PACT Theater in Erskineville after a season in Canberra at the QL2 Theater.


Exciting a Blush was an investigation into the human action of the blush, exploring the ideas of social interaction and sexual awakening; this concept came together extremely well. The main concepts of sexual investigation risked becoming overly erotic and detracting from the movement vocabulary; however Goh’s wonderfully considered treatment of this theme allowed for a work which fluctuated between intense sexual desire and an innocent exploratory journey between young lovers. Similarly this was reflected in Goh’s choreography which can be at one point an exploration into tiny detail and in moments transform into ferociously accomplished technical manoeuvres. A particular highlight of this would be the fantastically climatic solo by Dean Cross in the concluding moments of this piece.


The grittiness which was demonstrated in this performance was also reflected in the sparse backdrop which adorned PACT theater. Eerily hanging picture frames and the curiously feathered owl atop the head of one of the artists added an extra element which led itself to consider the work out of the frame of a ‘contemporary dance piece’. Although obviously executed on a tight budget, this hardly detracted from the work itself; rather it was endearing and touching to see the great dedication of Autumnal in getting this show off the ground, let alone touring it to two different locations.


The cast of the show threw themselves into this work with gusto, of particular note was the collaboration between Autumnal and classically trained vocalist Eleanor Wood. Often taking this path of the ‘outsider’ collaboration in a dance piece can end up looking tacky, ill considered and embarrassing for audience and cast alike. However, Wood stood out as a highlight of the show and it is a fantastic complement to Goh who has evidently invested a lot of time into the technical training of Wood and also the thematic interactions between the cast members which made this work so well.

Exciting A Blush was everything a new performance by early career artists should be. Refreshingly engaging in a way that better funded and mid to late career companies and artists can never be. The choreography of Angela Goh and the execution by the cast has been a wonderfully positive debut for Autumnal. Be sure to remember the name.


CONTACT AUTUMNAL

Media Enquiries: Chrissy Norford: c.norford@gmail.com
FACEBOOK

OR

Keep posted with Autumnal happenings on SNP.

FOR THE NIGHTOWL.

Nightshifters is a site- specific exhibition which opens tomorrow at Carriage Works in Redfern. It is apart of the Liveworks festival at Carriage Works / Performance Space and we at somenewplace are quite aroused.

Some of the favorites to keep your eyes peeled for will be Sue Healeys work Variant and Thrashing without looking. If you are in Sydney this is a must see and we all need to get on board the Performance Space boat and keep on supporting this type of artistic gin.

Nightshifters is a group exhibiton of muti media artists, curated by Associate Director of Performance Space Bec Dean. The works are in direct response to its location and the more illusive ‘atmospheres’ which this space inspires.

So this is what we have been told and it all sounds rather great, stay tuned to see what somenewplace thinks of Nightshifters and more importantly DROP IN AND SEE IT.

You will also want to come and see- before you visit Nightshifters; the last event for REELDANCE this year, also at Performance Space. This is going to be the good stuff from new talent and is curated by the very good and very talented Matt Cornell and Trish Wood.

Everything is timed perfectly:

finish work

REELDANCE AT 6:00

NIGHTSHIFTERS AT 8:30

you have no choice but to be at Carriage Works tomorrow night.

REELDANCE: 6:00 tomorrow and Nightshifters opens after and runs until the 13^th November from

8:30- 11:00 pm and it is ALL FREE

www.performancespace.com.au

Carriage Works

245 Wilson Street

Eveleigh

UPDATE ME PLEASE.

Apologies dear readers for my lack of posting of late. University has proven to be quite the time sap.

Coming up in the next few weeks will be an interview with Tasmanian multi media artist JAMES NEWITT. For those of you whom have not seen his work get down to the MCA for Prima Vera in Sydney and have a look and if not take a look at his stuff http://www.jnewitt.com/

ATTEND OR DIE

Apologies for my sluttish postings...new town and all.

Meanwhile if you are in London, you must attend the Ribbed Magazine supplement launch party: details below. NON ATTENDANCE IS SOCIAL SUICIDE

For those of you in Sydney, you must must must come along and see the amazing work of

Angela Goh and Autumnal in EXCITING A BLUSH

PACT THEATRE, ERSKINEVILLE, SYDNEY, SUNDAY 22ND OF AUGUST.

(ignore dates and location on picture below, is in Sydney...trust me.)

ATTEND OR DIE.

THINGS I AM LIKING.

Tommy Ton always delivers the goods.

This D&G boys story has made my sad little day a whole lot better.

I don't always like what Stefano and Dominico put down the runway, however they NEVER fail in the casting of models.

Check the full story out HERE

I am NOT liking

the fact I missed out on an East End Thrift Store Event, due to my current living status as a destitute homo cowboy back in Australia.

I am Liking

the way I found out I missed it through the very lovely and talented Matt King at

www.matt-king.blogspot.com

watch out for this one.