Bye Bye Biennale

Monday 30 June

I can safely say that we have had a great 4 days in Sydney and that the Biennale is a fantastic event.

Everyone has taken a little something home with them - something they have picked up over the last 4 days and has been firmly etched into their brain.

Friday seems like so long ago now - with the historical works at the AGNSW giving a good lead-in. The MCA provoked some good thought and Sue did a great job of getting us to ask questions - on the premise of "observation before criticism". Their were some standout works here, the Alexander Calder mobiles included.

Some of us were taken by the gallery visits after the MCA.

Thanks to Sarah Cottier, Vassily Kaliman, the Sherman Foundation and Ros Oxley for letting us into their worlds and sharing their information and knowledge with us. Finishing the day with a glass of wine talking with Ros and seeing a few of the things in her stockroom was a real privilege.

Cockatoo Island is an exceptional heritage trust park - and the fact you can camp there - $45 per night I believe makes it just a fantastic place. While the art is incredible as part of the Biennale the history and state of the island is an eye opener in itself.

Today we visited Utopia gallery, where Brian gave us not only an introduction into the current exhibition but a veritable masterclass in the history of the Aboriginal Art in the Papunya area they specialize in. It was a privilege to see works by many of the leading artists, and they just kept coming and coming.

What a way to finish off our tour.

Cockatoo Island - Dockyard and cranes

What fantastic weather we have had here while it has been cold, raining and hailing in Auckland.

The Biennale venue here is located within the industrial buildings and disused offices of the island.

In some cases they are purely sublime and a total revelation, - ie william kentridge - and in some cases the work struggles to overcome its location.

Go there - see it - and you will be impressed - leave 4-5 hours for a good visit to the island.

 

Pair it with a visit to Pier 2/3 and submit yourself to the soundscape for its duration. That to is well worth the 20 odd minutes of pure surroound sound experience.


 

Fwd: You have a PXT from 6421509093

Cockatoo island - if you haven't been you should go on your next visit to Sydney.

 

Biennale Of Sydney 1

28 JUNE

Its a sunny but crisp morning in Sydney this morning.
I didn't sleep that well - too much coffee yesterday left me lying in bed feeling like caffeine was trying to escape my fingers and toes for rather a lot of the night.
It did leave me time to recollect some of the highlights of day one of our trip to Sydney.
We started the Biennale at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. In the theme of revolution and forms that turn - there were some interesting historical works to set the scene. A particular favourite was Thomas Barlye (exscuse the spelling) and his massive wall paper like style of people cut and pasted walking across a giant pedestrian crossing. As it was 1977 a closer inspection of the people revealed a true 70s style.
There were also some cut out portraits of carlos the jackal. Almost like the idea of the assassin looking through a telephoto lens trying to pick out a subject amongst the crowd. OK so I watched the Bourne ultimatum recently.
There are many interesting and thought provoking works. This along with the galleries national collection makes for a fascinating afternoon.

Today we are off to the MCA and then on to some of the dealer galleries up in Paddington. Should be interesting.

Monday we have changed tack as the sculpture trail through the gardens doesn't really exist we are going to Utopia Gallery to check out some aboriginal art.

Regards
Glen

Art in Australia
It seems like its winter and all the major international exhibitions are coming on stream.
In the herald today there was an article on the major ArtDeco show in Melbourne - the NGVs latest in its winter exhibition series, complete with car and all. I would add the link but it seems to be that I can not locate the article on the heralds website.

In Brisbane the exhibition of Picassos collection and some of his own works is on at GOMA.
House of Travel has some packages to this - here. For those who haven't been to Picasso Museum in Paris this should be a worthwhile show.

Meanwhile Sue and I have been planning away and the tour to the Biennale of Sydney is coming along just fine. From Sue's report I am particularly looking forward to the installations on Cockatoo island.


3 days to go and counting.

When we planned to do three tours this year I figured I would get some takers for a visit to the Biennale of Sydney. I can report we have a full tour departing 27 June and it should be a great art adventure.
I am still having people enquire three weeks before travel - it shows there is definitely an appetite out there for this type of travel.
Of course big thanks goes to Sue Gardiner for helping tee it all up.
We are looking forward to seeing some great art, and meeting some interesting people.

If you haven't seen the Biennale website - check it out here