Art Month Sydney 2014

Art Month Sydney is always an exciting time for families to get around and explore art around the city with exhibitions, talks, tours and experiences. Gallery doors are thrown open with over 200 exhibitions and events in March allowing for many adventures to be had.

Here's a few to get you started:

Art Play at the MCA - Hang out with Hiromi Tango's beautiful interactive artwork Dance (2012)
For teens - Skate Deck Painting Workshop with artist Phil James
Your mind is exactly at that line -  Bright and bold Sol Lewitt
Express Yourself - Selected artworks by 2013 HSC Visual Arts students
Discover Sydney's art neighbourhoods by bike

Art Month Sydney 2014
artmonthsydney.com.au

Cai Guo-Qiang | Falling Back to Earth

Over the last weekend of the school holidays my youngest son (10) and I went to Brisbane to spend time with family. One of the highlights was our time at the Gallery of Modern Art to visit their exhibition of artist, Cai Guo - Qiang.

We were very lucky to be the first in to see the exhibition that morning and walking into the room of Heritage 2013 featuring 99 animals from around the world drinking from a single watering hole was exhilarating.

A large Eucalptyus tree which was earmarked for clearing for an urban development (Eucalyptus 2013) sits patiently as visitors explore its colours, shapes and textures.  Children (and adults) are invited to sit and draw. 

'By placing a tree in a gallery space, Cai references the Chinese literati tradition in which artists and poets would commune with nature to gain their moral and spirtual bearings, and represent the landscape as a reflection of their experiences and values.'

Head On 2006 (inspired by Berlin's turbulent history) allowed the children to walk amongst the pack of 99 wolves throwing themselves towards a large glass panel. 

My son and his cousins (8 and 11) spent over an hour within Cai Guo - Qiang's children's project Lets Create an exhibition with a boy named Cai. They created explosion events, gunpowder drawings, and built tress, boats and animals.

If you live in Brisbane do not miss this exciting exhibition and if you are interstate do whatever you can to visit.

Another must see when visiting the gallery is the  exhibition Everyday Magic which 'focuses on how the everyday - both material and situations - can be transformed into art'.

Cai Guo-Qiang | Falling Back to Earth

Gallery of Modern Art - Brisbane

until 11 May 2014

* Free admission for children 12 years and under

Arts Rocket Friday Finds

Visiting from Tokyo to play dress up - Photograph copyright Louise Hawson

Some fun finds this week -  Enjoy!

• New Conversations with Dumbo Feather for teens
• Explore Tokyo with Shoot Tokyo and Hello Sandwich
• or travel around the world at the Museum of Sydney with photographer Louise Hawson
• or discover some amazing places over at The Cool Hunter
• The GOMA in Queensland have the best online games for kids
• Super cool design workshops at Sydney Design 
• Inspire your kids with Amag - The architecture magazine for children 
• My children are reading Mary Shelly - Frankenstein (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.

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!

GOMA - Matisse | Pip & Pop | Yayoi Kusama

Last week we were in Brisbane visiting family but we also managed to fit in a visit to the Gallery of Modern Art.

Matisse - Drawing Life
This is an  impressive exhibition that features over 300 works on paper by Henri Matisse and is the most comprehensive exhibition of Matisse's prints and drawings ever mounted.

My youngest son (aged 8) was not very keen but my daughter (aged 10) who loves to draw any moment she can get was fascinated with the simple lines and shading Matisse used to create beautiful drawings.

My son did gain interest when we entered the Drawing Room, a large scaled studio.  They both grabbed a board, art paper and pencil to sit amongst other artists to draw just like Matisse.   There are also a selection of interactive tablets available to draw upon  and email your finished artwork to family or friends.  The studio is filled with sculptures, furniture, still - life arrangements and models - plenty of
inspiration.
     

       

• This is a great introduction to Matisse  to check out before you visit - Matisse for Kids

Matisse - Drawing Life runs until the 3rd March
Cost:  Children under 12: free, Adults: $20, Family: 2 adults 2 children ( aged 13- 17) $50

Yayoi Kusama | Look Now, See Forever
We first experienced the vibrant Japanese artist  Yayoi Kusama at the MCA with her exhibition Mirrored Years in 2009. This new exhibition, Look Now, See Forever features new work by the artist that all families will love.

Giant shiny pumpkins greet us as we enter (very tempting to touch - but not allowed), blooming flower sculptures look over us as we pass by and Dots Obsession again tempts us to touch the giant balloons.


A favourite for everyone was the Obliteration room - a completely white room that encourages children to fill with multi-coloured dots.   Kids will enjoy being part of this installation and not being restrained from  touching.  We had a lot of fun finding spaces for our dots.

    

• You can see the progress of the Obliteration room here. 
• The exhibition features painting, sculpture, video and installation
• Children can take photos but not with a flash

Look Now, See Forever runs until March 11th
Cost: Free

Pip & Pop | we miss you magic land!
My daughter and I visited the Japan Foundation 2009 exhibition "Under the crystal sky" of this talented Perth-based duo and we were delighted to see that  we could experience it all again.  GOMA commissioned Pip & Pop (Nicole Andrijevic and Tanya Schultz) to create  a new sugar coated world.    'We miss you magic land!' is absolutely beautiful.

My kids loved moving from one  area to the next and discover the sugary lands and inhabitants.  Children can also lay down on a mat to take in the creations hanging from above.   At the end of the exhibition  they have the opportunity create their own virtual magic land online featuring themselves running around in  the world of of Pip & Pop.   My children are still using the interactive game at home to create new worlds.

we miss you magic land runs until the 4th March 2012.
Cost: Free

Not in Brisbane?
If you  are unable to get to Brisbane to see any of these exhibitions - families can still interact online with a selection of games for kids.   They can fill a room with dots, draw like Matisse and create their own fantasy land.

Memberships at GOMA
This season new family memberships also receive a copy of "Drawing Life for kids: My Art Journal".
More info:  http://qag.qld.gov.au/members/gallery_membership

Location:
Stanley Place, South Bank
Brisbane
http://qag.qld.gov.au/

Attention all LEGO fans - The Art of the Brick comes to Sydney

This competition has now closed. Thank you for all the wonderful entries. M. Gotto from Randwick has scored a family pass.


Just announced: WIN A FAMILY PASS TO THE ART OF THE BRICK
We have a family pass to give away to the Art of the Brick Exhibition. To enter let us know what has been your greatest Lego creation. Email info@artsrocket.org to enter.  Entries close on Friday 9th December 2011. The winner will be notified by email*.

My kids have always loved LEGO. We keep a large box of random pieces underneath our lounge room table that gets pulled out on a regular basis when they are bored and keeps their younger cousins happy on visits. It is always interesting to see what they create without the LEGO instruction guide.

If you have LEGO fans at home they will love  the Art of the Brick exhibition arriving in Sydney from December 12th. The exhibition features the amazing LEGO artwork of artist Nathan Sawaya.

"I use LEGO bricks as my medium because I enjoy seeing people's reaction to artwork created from something with which they are familiar. Everyone can relate to LEGO since it is a toy that many children have at home and one that adults have a sentimental attachment to." Nathan Sawaya

The exhibition  will also include a LEGO building area where a block time of 45 minutes can be prebooked.

Expect lots of inspiration for future LEGO making sessions!

Tickets: http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/artofthebrick
Where: Sydney Town Hall
Dates: 12 December 2011 until 5th February 2012

LEGO resources
Design your own LEGO - This service finishes up in January 2012.
http://designbyme.lego.com/en-us/Default.aspx
Lego
http://www.lego.com

*The competition is judged on creativity and originality. Prize value is $50.

Machine Atlas | 25 - 28 August

Machine Atlas brings together a group of young Australians to create machines for the future that inspires change, consequence and invention. The community are invited into this world where anything is possible - incorporating performance, music, film and installation..

At this market you can sample an array of bespoke machines for living ...

Machines that we need

Cause and effect machines

Mechanical body extensions

Machines that make you look good

The world of Machine Atlas has been created by 80 young people and a team of emerging theatre makers involved in Shopfront's Outreach and Education Program.

Age Group: This exhibition will inspire teens as well as younger kids who like to create and build.

Dates: 25 (Preview) - 28 August

Venue: Kogarah Town Square, Belgrave Street, Kogarah

Cost: Free event

**Shopfront also present interesting school holiday workshops - keep your eye on their website for upcoming details.

Vivid Sydney | 27 May - 13 June 2011

I went along to the launch for Vivid Sydney this morning. Vivid Sydney celebrates light, music and ideas and this year the festival features an abundance of exciting interactive and visual experiences for families throughout the city.

I love that kids are encouraged to interact and play with the over 25 light installations. My kiddos are going to go crazy with the Public Art Pencil designed by artists Paul Johnson and Gail Mason. It is a giant sketchpad installation with a laser light to draw with. The Jellight (pictured) lets kids grab the tentacles to keep them from floating into space. Each night throughout the festival the city will transform into a "spectacular outdoor gallery."

Other highlights of the festival include the Fire Dance and the Lighting of the Sails, also the music element of the festival includes a family performance from YO GABBA GABBA!

Visit http://vividsydney.com/ for more details.

Power Plant review - Sydney Festival 2011

The Chinese Gardens at Darling Harbour plays host to Power Plant, the amazing collaboration of UK artists: Mark Anderson, Anne Bean, Jony Easterby, Kirsten Reynolds and Ulf Pedersen.

Power Plant is a fun and exciting evening event for families. My daughter (aged 7) and I followed the path through the gardens to discover a wonderland of light, sound and visual creations.

What we loved:

Eerie sounds coming from Gramophones, psychedelic flowers spinning in the night, the inaccessible red glow and strange sounds from the temple, fire dancing on the water, luminous lampshades guiding the way, hidden snails in kaleidoscopic garden.

If this sounds up your alley - Get to it!

• Prebook your tickets online for the 8.45pm timeslot
• Wear comfy flat shoes
• Give the kids a nap in the afternoon to stay up late
• Share a drink at the end amongst the installations

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Jan 15, 16, 18-23, 25, 27-39

Time Entry between 8.45pm- 10.15pm

Closes 11pm

Adult -$15 Child $10 Family - $40(2 adults 2 children)

For more information visit: http://www.sydneyfestival.org.au/2011/Family/Power-Plant-at-Darling-Harbour/

Mirazozo - Architects of Air

The large sculpture seen in the forecourt of the Sydney Opera House is the magnificent work of Architects of Air.

The Mirazozo luminarium is a walk through experience that incorporates light, colour and sound. The journey of this labyrinth includes four domes, tree space and tunnels, each bringing their own experience.

You can hide away in the pockets or stare into the dome centre and let it take you away.

What I loved most was it is an experience that be enjoyed by any age. It was wonderful to seeing young children crawling around discovering the radiance of the Mirazozo.

• I highly recommend Pre booking your session to avoid waiting in a long queue!
• Each session lasts 20 minutes
• You will need to remove your shoes before entering the sculpture
• Get the kids to bring a camera
• Pram parking available

Sydney Opera House Forecourt

3-27 Jan 2011

All tickets $10

For groups of 4+ $8.50

Children aged 2 and under are free with a paying adult

For bookings: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/priority/architects_of_air.aspx?start=yes

Alive and Kicking - OTYP

The youth in Hay have had the opportunity to learn and explore drama, dance, stop motion animation, sculpture, puppetry, creating landscapes from recycled materials and photography under the guidance of OTYP Artistic Director, Mandy Field.

Workshops have been held in various locations around Hay after school and on Saturdays, during the school holidays and in schools with a huge variety of work created. On Saturday the 4th Dec this work will be brought together in an exhibition and performance where young people will share their talents and creativity with the community.

Saturday’s event will include live performances by young people and the puppets they’ve created, films and dance videos made by the young people and displays of sculpture, photography and landscapes. This will be a day of colour, music and life in a celebration of what it is to be young in this community.

For more information visit: http://www.outbacktheatre.com.au/

Laughing Children's Garden - NSW

Photo credit: Jaime Plaza, Botanic Gardens Trust

If you live in the Blue Mountains or planning a visit check out the beautiful Laughing Children's Garden launched yesterday. The garden is situated at Mount Tomah Botanic Garden in the Blue Mountains.

The aim of the garden is to be interactive and to encourage play and creativity by providing aesthetically pleasing pieces of sculpture which enables kids to develop their imagination while using their motor skills through developing games and playing with each piece of sculpture.

LOCATION: Mount Tomah Botanic Garden, Bells Line of Road (via Bilpin)

Visit an Artists Studio this weekend

Art is for everyone – that is the message of this weekend’s START Fest to both art lovers and the curious alike.

As part of the month long Art & About Sydney Public Arts Festival, 17 studios in Annandale, Alexandria, East Sydney, Leichardt, Lilyfield, Mosman, Newtown, Redfern, Rozelle, St Peters andSurry Hills will collectively open their doors to the general public for the first time with over 90 artists on hand to demonstrate the personality and story behind their work.

16 - 17 October | NSW

For more information visit: http://www.startfest.com.au

Contemporary Art for Contemporary Kids

Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan In-flight (Project: Another Country) , 2009

 Courtesy: The artists / Photograph: Ray Fulton

7 October - 18 December 2010

In a first for Sydney, Sherman Contemporary Art Foundation has partnered with the Queensland Art Gallery Children’s Art Centre to present ‘Contemporary Art for Contemporary Kids’ – an interactive multimedia exhibition featuring five artists projects created especially for children and families.

Highlights include:

ALFREDO & ISABEL AQUILIZAN

In-flight (Project: Another Country) 2009

Brisbane-based artists Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan’s project, In-flight (Project: Another Country) 2009, asks participants to make aeroplanes out of found materials. Using the recycled objects as well as off-cuts and twine, participants are invited to construct aircraft within a dynamic activity space. Touching on themes of migration, family and memory, the recycled planes form a giant flock suspended from the ceiling.

SUTEE KUNAVICHAYANONT

Classroom upside down 2006

School will never be the same after children experience Sutee Kunavichayanont’s ‘classroom’.

Turning school tables upside down and conventional ideas on their head, the artist’s carvings of animals, buildings and people combine different cultural sources, encouraging children to look at familiar things in new ways and to think about how different cultures might interact.  Children can participate in the artwork by making rubbings of all the carved surfaces.

For more information visit: http://qag.qld.gov.au/kids/exhibitions/contemporary_art_for_contemporary_kids

Tim Burton - The Exhibition | Melbourne | ACMI

After a season at the MOMA New York, The Tim Burton exhibition has arrived in Australia.  My daughter and I headed to Melbourne to check it out. Even before you step through the doors of the exhibition you know you are in for a treat with the displays that surround the entrance at the ACMI.


Inside, the  Exhibition is full of wonders that have filled the mind of Tim Burton since his school years, "Surviving Burbank" to his latest film "Alice in Wonderland." There is so much to see and take in including illustrations, figures, costumes, and rarely seen short films.


The Burtonarum will delight all ages, a carnival tent buried deep in the forest which feature glowing Burtonesque creatures and little peep holes. You will glow as well.


If you are taking young children, take the kids exhibition trail  which sides steps Sleepy Hollow and other films that they may find too scary.


We both loved the exhibition and found it very inspiring.
It is not too be missed!


Dates: Thursday 24 June - Sunday 10 October 2010
Open daily 10am-6pm. Special late night Thursdays until 10pm
Venue: ACMI Federation Square - Melbourne


For Kids and Families
Kids Exhibition Trail (recommended  for 5 - 10 years)
The trail provides a safe navigation path through the exhibition, bypassing works suited to an older audience. The trail is explored by following a Burtonesque 'monster' character and features activities along the way. The trail ends at the with the kids activity space.


Through the looking Glass
Using the magic of green screen technology and our state-of-the-art studio, you'll have a rare opportunity to journey down the rabbit hole to a magical and mysterious world and immerse yourself in the actual sets from Alice in Wonderland!


Make a movie Burton a-go-go!
In this hands-on workshop, you'll learn how to write, direct, act in and edit a short film inspired by the gothic imagination of Tim Burton.


Burton Sunday workshops
Wander through Wonderland, create a foley soundtrack, discover your inner ghoul in a make-up workshop or direct your own stop-motion animation.


For more information http://www.acmi.net.au/timburton.aspx

Under the Crystal Sky | 15 May - 3 June | Sydney

Star Made Rainbow | 2008 

Sugar, pigments, origami, modeling compounds, plastic objects, artificial plants and flowers, beads, 

confectionery, straws, tables Dimensions variable (detail)

My daughter and I went the opening night of the exhibition Under the Crystal Sky created Pip & Pop (Nicole Andrijevic and Tanya Schultz).  As soon as we walked into the gallery we were hypnotized by the wonderful sugary formations that took over the whole room.  As we walked around we discovered little treats and wonders within the habitat. 

Under the Crystal Sky created by Pip & Pop, is a vibrant installation lavishly filled with dunes of coloured sugar, embellished with miniature objects and all things sweet, accompanied with a soundscape specifically designed by Big Ear.

The exhibition springs from Pip & Pop’s fascination with thekawaii (cute) aesthetics of Japanese pop culture that ranges from items you come across at the local bargain shop to intricately folded origami pieces, to disposable edible objects.

Meet Pip & Pop in person on Saturday 16 May for a chance to discover the creativity behind the imaginary paradise.

This is an exhibition not to be missed!!

Pip & Pop are one of the three selected finalists of the Japan Foundation, Sydney’s new artist program,Facetnate! Facetnate! is a grant program launched early 2008 to support emerging visual artist/s whose work is strongly influenced by Japan. 

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Dates: 15 May - 3 June 2009

Venue: Japan Foundation Gallery Chifley Plaza, Sydney

Gallery Hours Monday - Friday 11am- 4pm 

Meet the artists: Saturday 11am - 4pm

Admission: Free

More info 

Yayoi Kusama: Mirrored Years | MCA | NSW

Last school holidays when deciding what to do with the kids ( aged 10, 7 and 5), I lived by the following code:

1. It had to be fun and
2. It had to be free

At first we thought it may be impossible but we were delighted to find that when you digged deep enough treasures do appear.
One of those treasures was the Yayoi Kusama: Mirrored Years at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Discover the work of internationally acclaimed Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama with this major exhibition that spans decades of her artistic practice.Working across different media and forms that include painting, collage, sculpture, installation and film, as well as performance and its documentation, Kusama creates works that reveal a fixation with repetition, pattern and accumulation.

Expect lots of dots!

Some parts of the exhibition were difficult to prevent my children from touching, as it was just too tempting. They loved the rooms that allowed them to be  enclosed (with a small group)in a room of dots and mirrors or starlights and water(it felt like we were in space) revealing amazing patterns.

If your kids want to learn more about Yayoi and have fun with dots, the Queensland Art Gallery have a fantastic online interactive experience where they can dot to their hearts content.
An education kit is available online to download for older kids.

This exhibition finishes on the 8th June so you don't have long to catch it.

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Yayoi Kusama: Mirrored Years
24 FEBRUARY - 8 JUNE 2009
Cost : Free
Location: MCA
140 George Street
The Rocks NSW 2000
Australia

Setting the Scene - VIC

The ACMI present a fun drop in workshop where kids can take on the role of production designer, building worlds for their characters and setting their own scenes, learning about the visual language of film.

Using cut out techniques for producing animation, kids will build props and backgrounds, then bring their characters to life in their very own world.

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Age Group: 5 - 13years

Dates: 6 April - 9th April 12-4pm

  14 April - 17 April 12 -4pm

Venue: Australian Center of Moving Image

Customer Service 03 8663 2200

The box doodle project

The rules are quite simple: 

rearrange a box to make any kind of figure or object.

make the most of least.

Box  doodle