28 July 2008 | Posted in Your Say | by Your Say: Pubic Opinion
The Valley Obscured by Clouds: A World Without Metaphor
By Pierre Huyghe, Sydney Opera House
Where had the Concert Hall disappeared to? It was engulfed by luscious foliage, misty valleys and shadows. There were no seats and no performers to be seen, except for the occasional glimpse of the balladeer whose song coaxed the explorer to traverse the forest pathways. It was simply magic…an experience to be savoured and remembered as a walk through time and space to where the lights of the fair folk play.
Cockatoo Island
What a fantastic venue for an exhibition of contemporary art! As you walk around the varied installations, the historic buildings and remnants appear to take on a life of their own and the island itself turns into an artwork. For me, William Kentridge’s installations were the highlight of the exhibition. All over the brick walls there are disjointed figures in silhouette who caper to syncopated rhythms, while in the adjacent room a cylindrical mirror reveals the darker exploits of contemporary society. More
Andrew Frost is someone I can really agree with. And frankly what more can we wish for in an art critic to confirm what we already think about works of art? Case in point was the art life special on the Biennale of Sydney on ABC1 last night.
Of course the challenge of contemporary art is that it assumed that there should be strong reactions to works and a feeling of confrontation. The joy in Frost’s style of writing and presenting is one of a Richard Attenborough look at the art world – even though you might not know exactly what he is on about it sure sounds interesting. More
Well, I have to say that the 2008 Sydney Biennale online venue (revolutionsonline) is a triumphant attempt at bringing the essence of the biennale to an online audience. Both the design of the site and the content are engaging, intriguing and extremely addictive judging by the several hours that I spent exploring and viewing. Another great feature of the online venue is the ability for anyone to suggest web links and projects for inclusion on the site which can be made here: http://www.bos2008.com/revolutionsonline/?page_id=4
To give you an idea of the sort of fantastic content you can find at the online venue I have selected my ten favourite revolutionsonline works. If you get the chance why don’t you add a comment with your favourite online venue work or suggest a link or project for inclusion. Happy exploring!!!
Day 32: AGNSW
The Pope being in town may have wrecked havoc with the traffic, but in terms of art viewing on Day 32, the Pontiff was a blessing. The gallery was quiet and feeling prone to contemplation (perhaps due to all the holiness seeping through the city, holy-rollers rocking through the streets and talk of our own Sister Mary Mackillop finally being canonised) I found myself in a saint spotting mood.
If this Biennale had a patron saint, who would it be? More
Turn, Turn, Turn: the past talks to the present
Tracey Clement got Nick Waterlow and Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev together, sat back and let them talk. What follows is an edited excerpt from an intense, illuminating and inspirational conversation.
Behind the scenes insights, reviews, conversations and observations on the 2008 exhibition and events.
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