Masterpieces of summer
Tuesday 24 January, 2012 | Sharon Sebastian
ART and culture is alive this summer, with a range of things to see and do.
There are art exhibitions, musical performances, theatre and much more – and you most certainly don’t want to miss out. Come on a journey as SuperLiving sneaks a peak of what’s on this summer.
We kick off at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, where more than 150 paintings, sculptures and drawing by the iconic Pablo Picasso (1881-1973) are on display all the way from the Musée National Picasso in Paris. Picasso was an integral part of the birth and development of modern art.
The artworks on display come from the artist’s personal collection, and were said to be works he was determined never to relinquish.
This exhibition is an Australian first, and has been made possible as the Musée National Picasso is currently closed for renovations. The exhibition highlights seven decades of Picasso’s art. Ceaselessly innovative and prolific, he embodies the creative spirit of the modern age, yet for all his modernity he was deeply connected with the art of the past. Every phase of his extraordinary career is represented, including masterpieces from the Blue, Rose, expressionist, cubist, neoclassical and surrealist periods.
The exhibition is on display until March 25.
Moving on to the National Library of Australia in Canberra, we have the Handwritten: Ten Centuries of Manuscript – Treasures from Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin (Berlin State Library), an international exhibition exclusive to this Australian city.
This free exhibition spans more than 1000 years and features manuscripts, letters, sketches and musical scores, which were handwritten by major figures in history. Who are these major figures you might ask? They include Machiavelli, Galileo and Goethe, Mozart and Albert Einstein.
It also forms the centrepiece of cultural activities, including a film series, musical performances, lectures, workshops and late night viewings.
The exhibition is running through to March 18 and is open daily between 10am to 5pm.
If you find yourself in the Northern Territory, the Happy Yess Market at the Frogs Hollow Centre for the Arts is worth a visit. The Darwin Visual Arts Association has joined forces with the Happy Yess Market to support local and emerging artists and talented folk.
There are a range of stalls, which change every month, and anything goes as long as the item is a homemade or second hand treasure.
Tasty treats, live music and lots of lounging around on the grassed area are also on offer. The markets are a great opportunity to explore the Darwin Visual Arts Association galleries to see what the local talent has been up to in their studios.
The markets are open on the first Sunday of every month between 2-6pm, right through to the end of the year.
Meanwhile, in Victoria, we hit a musical note with a performance by the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne at Saint Pauls Cathedral, Melbourne. The German orchestra has been working independently without any government support and has been touring the world for the past 40 years.
Audiences will be treated to Four Seasons by Vivaldi, a piece by Bach, as well as contemporary composer Michal Rosiak’s Concert Antico, before the evening draws to a close with Mozart’s Salzburg Sinfonie.
The concert is on January 27, between 8-10pm.
In Tasmania, we find the Traversing Antarctica: the Australian Experience exhibition. This exhibition marks the 100th anniversary of the 1911-14 Australasian Antarctic Expedition led by Douglas Mawson. It is a journey of discovery through the stories, science and wonder of Antarctica’s past, present and future. It also celebrates the enduring scientific, historic and social legacy of this landmark expedition and includes original documents, objects, innovative touch-screen displays and stunning imagery.
A rare collection of artefacts will also be on display, as well as diaries and equipment used by members of the expedition.
The exhibition is on display at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery now.
Back in sunny Queensland, we find Matisse: Drawing Life at the Queensland Art Gallery. This exhibition is described to be the most comprehensive exhibition of Henri Matisse’s prints and drawings.
The exhibition has more than 300 drawings, prints and illustrated books, which explore the themes and subjects to which Matisse repeatedly turned throughout his career. This exhibition will give us an insight into the artist’s daily drawing practice.
The Gallery’s Australian Cinémathèque will be presenting a free weekly program of documentaries profiling the life and work of Matisse. While Matisse’s engagement with cinema was limited, the repeating program includes a number of important films, archival fragments and biographical documentaries featuring footage of the artist working in his studio.
The exhibition is exclusive to Queenslanders and will be on display up until March 4.
We then head down to South Australia where they are preparing for Carnevale 2012.
So what is Carnevale? Well, Carnevale brings Italy to Adelaide. It is a time when South Australia’s Italian community welcome us to share their wonderful, vibrant culture and traditions.
It’s is an event for all the family with great food and wine, Italian opera, fashion parades, and cooking demonstrations as well as Italian cars on display.
Carnevale is on February 11-12, with adult entry at $12, while children pay $5.
Our final destination is Western Australia where the Fringe World Festival 2012 is set to explode. Get ready to be treated to 150 shows over three and a half weeks at various venues across the city.
As part of the festival, the old Treasury building on St Georges Terrace will open its doors to the public for the first time in more than 15 years, with the space being transformed into a key performance hub for the festival.
Performances range from burlesque, aerial acrobatics, cabaret, comedy, music and theatre productions.
Program highlights include the Wau Wau Sisters from America, Australia’s very own Barry Morgan, and The Freak and the Showgirl. Other international acts making their way to Perth also include The Table, Wacht! And Meow Meow.
Fringe kicks off on Australia Day, with shows wrapping-up on February 19.
For more information about what’s on in your city this summer check out your local guide.
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