Friday Finds

image: Abbey Vella

+ Forget the Archibald's! Meet the Young Archie's
+ One of my teens will be at Genext this Sunday - maybe she will share her images
+ Evening sorted = Back to the Future at Golden Age Cinema
+ For your photographer in the family
+ Palace movie club - discounted movies

KOFFIA 2015 | Family films

How to Steal a Dog - an adventure/action film for families will open the 6th Korean Film Festival on Wednesday 12 August in Sydney (screens nationally).

The festival are running a competition online to win tickets to the opening night screening - Take a photo of your pet and hashtag it with #KOFFIA2015 on facebook for your chance to win.

The beautiful animation from director Han Jin-wan Clearer Than You Think will also screen.

Both films will screen with English subtitles.
Korean Film Festival KOFFIA
from 12 August

Vivid Sydney 2015 | Youth and Families

Vivid Light is always a major event on every family calendar. My stand out this year is Light Origami which invites viewers to explore the nature of reality by entering a giant 3D kaleidoscope.

This year we will also be including our children in our Vivid Sydney Ideas and Music adventures.

My daughter  (13 years) is a young creator - and I'm curious to learn more about her world. We will be heading to #NOFILTER  -  a 'conversation inspired by and showcasing the work of young creators and explore the distinct point of view youth can provide in the creative process. Young producers, animators, photographers and social media personalities will share insights into their own creative process, discuss what connects with their audiences, and offer key takeaways for anyone looking to learn from the future stars of content creation.'

She will also be attending An evening with Morrissey with her dad within Vivid Music.

My eldest son (16 years) will be into Feedback - A Music Conference for Young People - he is yet to explore the Vivid Music program.

And for younger kids - Archikids Play[ground] will be right up their alley in the Hyde Park Barracks as it transformed into an interactive playground. Not sure yet if it will be too young for my 11 year old son.

Dress Up Attack! = indie rock performances + interactive activities --- for young kids and their parents/carers.

The MCA Zine Fair covers all my kids.... the fair is a great introduction and inspiration into what they can create on their own and distribute.

So much to explore over May and June!

Art Month Sydney | Youth and Families

Last night we attended the opening evening of Art Month Sydney 2015 at the National Art School. The family program is full of architecture, photography and art experiences for your young ones. It is also wonderful to branch out the family program for older children.

Art Month Sydney - March 2015
various venues

LEO | Sydney Opera House

The stage consisted of a large screen and an empty room - the lights darkened causing tiny apprehensive whispers to circulate around the room. When the lights went up we are introduced to a man and his suitcase - how did he get there and most importantly - why was he there?

LEO is a beautiful performance incorporating physical theatre, video projection, dance, music and a piece of chalk. French acrobat William Bonnet glides around the room with his movements projected onto the big screen pulling us into alternate worlds. Bonnet's strength is spectacular but not surprising with his extensive background in aerial acrobatics.

The young audience were in fits of laughter as they jumped from screen to room in delight of this gravity defying adventure.  A small segment consisting of a repetitious dance routine may have little ones restless but will be enjoyable for older children and parents.

How does this lone man eventually leave the room?
Well......we will leave that up to you to find out.

Recommended for school holidays.

LEO 
until 13 July
Sydney Opera House
for ages 8 and over

School Holidays - IMAX

School holidays have started for some or about to for others. We love heading to the movies as we turn the outing into a full day - it has become a ritual for us - take public transport, get lunch out, check out the surroundings and then head home after the movie.

Our friends at IMAX have given us 2 family passes (2 adults and 2 children)to give away so you can make a day of it in Darling Harbour over these school holidays. They will be screening How to Train your Dragon 2 and for older children Transformers 4: Age of Extinction.

For your chance:
Win 1 of 2 family passes to IMAX Darling Harbour to see the best in 3D film these school holidays like HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 and TRANSFORMERS 4: AGE OF EXTINCTION releasing on June 26. To enter email info@artsrocket.org before Monday 30 June with your favourite ritual over the holidays. Winners will be notified by email on Tuesday 1 July. CLOSED

Competition details

Minuscule - Valley of the Lost Ants

Over the weekend we went to a screening of MINUSCULE - VALLEY OF THE LOST ANTS. This is a wonderful film for families, especially for those who are ready to introduce their child to a cinema experience for the first time.

Unlike the majority of films that come out every school holidays -  Minuscule is a beautifully paced animation with live cinematography which weaves an engaging story of a lost ladybug and two ant armies battling it out for a tin of found sugar.


MINUSCULE - VALLEY OF THE LOST ANTS
screens nationally from 6 May.

Movies over the holidays

It's school holiday time so yet again lots of films out at the moment to choose from.

This is what we have been watching:

We took the whole family to see Wadjda - the first feature film shot entirely in Saudi Arabia and by a female director. My youngest son was restless through the film (9) - but I felt the biggest impact was on my eldest son (15).   This is an important film to take your children to - how other families live - we had great discussions after this movie.

My youngest son and I went to the preview to Mr Peabody and Sherman. We both enjoyed it - it's been a while since we have seen animation at the movies.  

I am taking the kids to see The Grand Budapest Hotel in the morning. I saw a preview of it and think they will enjoy it as they familiar with Wes Andersen movies.

As all families have different views on what films their children should see - I suggest you visit IMDb and view their parents guide.

re:make project

I am working on a new project with Vanessa Berry. We have been rescuing discarded art works from the streets in our neighbourhoods. We will matching 12 found art pieces with 12 emerging and established Sydney artists to give them a new life. The new artworks will be sold at an exhibition in early 2014 with funds raised to be used to develop an art workshop program at East Sydney High School.

You can find more about our project here: re:make and follow us on twitter and facebook.
You can also sign up to receive re:make updates and exhibition details

We will revealing our found artworks and artists very soon!

Arts Rocket Friday Finds

image via Underbelly Arts - Tableau Vivant

School holidays are over - but there is still fun to be had if you look a little closer:

• Underbelly Arts Festival have a great kids/teen program(kids under 12 are free) - jump on a ferry and head over to Cockatoo Island on the 4th August.
• Pop up book workshop with Tony Flowers at Sherman Gallery on 3rd August
• Kiddley is back!
• We have been playing with Poster Candy and Origrami to showcase our family images
• Beautiful bag for kids that love to draw - anywhere - anytime 
• Youth courses at Metro screen in filmmaking and video game design
• We have rediscovered Scratch - my youngest son loves it. 
• For teens - Tavi at the Opera House 
• My kids are reading: JD Salinger - Catcher in the Rye (15), R.J. Palacio - Wonder (11) and Emma Cameron - View from the 32nd Floor (9)

(A little early) Arts Rocket Friday Finds

Posting our Friday Finds an evening earlier  to share some exciting events happening over the school holidays and beyond.

• 13 rooms - Kaldor Public Art Projects - Fantastic kids workshops over the school holidays all inspired by 13 rooms (curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Klaus Biesenbach).  Animation, sculpture and movement.
• The MCA have some fun drop in Contemporary Kids workshops - Cardboard City   and  Junior Art School. They also encourage families to come along to their annual Zine fair on the 26th May
• If you didn't catch Olafur Eliasson last time - make sure you don't miss him this time at the Sherman Gallery.  Especially if you have kids that love lego!
• This school holidays you can't go past seeing The List Operators 6D within the Kids at the House program.

Sydney Easter Show 2013

My Monster Art - Artist: Jet

Over the weekend my son was invited to an art exhibition of a friend from school.  Jet is only nine years old but already  has an extremely distinctive style.  The exhibition was held in his home and friends and family gathered to support Jets new adventure in the art world.  When Jet is not too busy playing sport or downloading music you will find him home with a pen in his hand.

To view Jets gallery of work visit http://mymonsterart.tumblr.com/archive
Any enquiries contact info@artsrocket.org

Art Month Sydney - kids and their families

Art Month Sydney is just around the corner. Great stuff on for kids, adults and families.

The Textaqueen will be hosting a kids super - Identity workshop at Sullivan and Strumpf for Art Month Sydney on the 2nd March.

Also check out the kids workshops held each Sunday during Art Month, the Art Crawl for parents with strollers and a talk at Object Gallery on the benefits of introducing art and design to kids at an early age - Tomorrows Thinkers.

Arts Month Sydney runs throughout March - for more info visit:  http://artmonthsydney.com.au

Sydney Festival 2013 with kids

Sydney Festival program time again.... I already have my tickets for David Byrne and St Vincent (I will be taking my teen son with me!).
This is what we are also looking forward to:

The Listies  | Earworms   The List Operators performance at the 2012 Sydney Festival was one of the hottest tickets for families.  Another  must see show for 2013. Jan 15th - Jan 19th 2013

School Dance This looks great! Teen awkwardness at a school disco, a new work by Windmill Theatre. Jan 10th - Feb 3rd 2013

It's Dark Outside   From the creators of  the beautiful The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik: Deep Sea Explorer  (Sydney Festival 2011) this performance tells the story of an old man venturing out into the wild. Jan 11th - 15th 2013

We got to see a few Francis Bacon pieces in Italy so I am excited that the Art Gallery of NSW  will be exhibiting him as part of the festival (recommended for older children).

This is only the tip of the iceberg on what will be presented over the festival: Visit http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2013/ to see the full program. If you have older children don't be afraid to explore outside of the family program - there are some gems to be found.

Our adventure

image: Leigh Russell 2012

We are back from our wonderful adventure. Highlights included:
Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice... a beautiful home transformed into a celebration of art. The collection is amazing. Kids favourite was the wish tree in the garden by Yoko Ono.

Francis Bacon at the Strozzina in Florence (my favourite). Discovering the eerie woven threads of  Chiharu Shiota. Italian Art in the 30s beyond fascism at Palazzo Strozzi.

Finding and photographing the  love padlocks collectives on the bridges throughout Italy.

Taking new members of our  family in Dublin to the Dublin Theatre Festival for the production of White for some first time theatre experiences. The Ark located in Temple Bar is a cultural centre for children with a fantastic programme.

Now we are back in Sydney we are looking forward to what the summer months will bring!

Vivid Lights | Sydney

This year we will be getting rugged up and  heading down to  The Rocks in May  to enjoy the visual delights of Vivid Light. This amazing  festival of lights is part of Vivid Sydney. Vivid Light will feature a giant interactive game of Tic Tac Toe, animatronic dancing lamps and a luminescent light of artworks. We are looking forward to the  interactive installations which includes an illuminated igloo that can be climbed in. The kids will be bringing along their cameras to capture the experience.

Vivid Light takes place from 6pm until midnight from the 25th May.
Areas: Sydney Opera House, Museum of Contemporary Art, Circular Quay and The Rocks
Cost: Free
For more information visit: http://www.vividsydney.com/events/categories/light/ 

Our month of letters

I love getting mail....not bills but handwritten letters from family and friends. These days a special delivery in the post is few and far between.  My children always write thank you letters to gifts they receive...I  do not want them to lose the beauty of handwriting and sending via 'snail mail.'  My youngest son (8 years ) also has a penpal in Ireland.  We all  love receiving a special handwritten letter in the mailbox.

This month we are participating in The month of letters challenge (we are little late but will catch up!).
The challenge is simple....

1. In the month of February, mail at least one item through the post every day it runs.  Write a postcard, a letter, send a picture, or a cutting from a newspaper, or a fabric swatch.
2. Write back to everyone who writes to you. This can count as one of your mailed items.

You can write to us at
PO Box 917 Surry Hills NSW 2010

If you would like a postcard from us email me at info@artsrocket.org with your postal address.
For more info visit: http://www.maryrobinettekowal.com/journal/month-of-letters/

Extras
we love: Viva snail mail http://www.vivasnailmail.com/

Letter Writers Alliance: http://16sparrows.typepad.com/letterwritersalliance/postal-projects/page/2/

Over at Edenland the love of handwriting continues...
http://www.edenriley.com/2012/02/edenland-fresh-horses-brigade.html

Handwrite a letter today!

Sydney Festival 2012 with kids

The 2012 Sydney Festival ticket sales have gone into full swing. Have you got your tickets? Lots of fun  stuff for kids and families to get involved!

The List Operators for Kids do Compooters
My youngest son (7 years) would love this show. Slapstick mixed with the virtual world!

Holly Throsby presents See!
This looks wonderful for younger children. Holly brings her album See! to life.

Animagica looks like a beautiful piece that incorporates shadow theatre films by Lotte Reiniger with music from Icelandic instrumental group Amiina.

I always like to explore outside the family program for some gems that are suitable for older kids.

L'Effet de Serge

Meet Serge. Every Sunday he entertains his friends with a parade of homespun spectacles, animating everything around his basement and putting some magic back into their lives.

I am Eora

I Am Eora (I am of this place) breaks new ground in contemporary Indigenous performance, telling the stories of Sydney's Aboriginal continuity in a celebration of its heroes. With a cast of performers ranging from the emerging to the iconic, the project aspires to create a legacy for Indigenous and non-Indigenous alike.

Assembly

Integrating dance with theatrical and operatic performance, this grand piece involves more than 60 performers on stage, combining the force and agility of eight of Chunky Move's most exceptional dancers with waves of medieval and contemporary choral music from six principal singers and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.


The festival runs from Jan 7th until Jan 29th.
Festival First Night is free and all ages friendly on the Jan 7th
For more details and bookings visit: http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2012/