Finitude (V3) goes to Beijing

You may remember the interactive installation Finitude (V2) by Keith Armstrong from our Gallery Two exhibition earlier this year. The installation combined 3D imagery, transparency, moving sculpture, light and sound to investigate the cultural dimensions of sustainability through the lens of time.

We have just heard the exciting news that Finitude (V3) will be shown at Information·Ecology·Intelligence: The Third Art and Science International Exhibition and Symposium at the China National Science and Technology Museum, Beijing from November 1 - 30, 2012. 

Collaborators: Roger Dean, Stuart Lawson and Darren Pack.
Sustainability Theme Consultants: Professor Tony Fry and Dr. Liz Baker.

Supported by QUT Creative Industries, QUT IVD, the The Australia Council For the Arts, Art and Science Research Centre, Tsinghua University, The Ministry of Culture of the People’s Republic of China, The Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Association for Science and Technology.  

The event includes a keynote address at the associated symposium.

Background

The Art and Science International Exhibition and Symposium was initiated by the Nobel Prize winner, physicist professor Tsung Dao Lee and master of painting, professor Wu Guanzhong. It was successfully held in 2001 and 2006. The international symposium will be presented in parallel by the Zhuangshi Academic Journal with the target to establish a platform for long term communication and interdisciplinary practice among the scientists, designers and artists, and to strengthen the understanding about the exhibition topic “Information·Ecology·Intelligence”.

 

Artisan goes Steampunk

What:       The Antipodean Steampunk Show
Where:    Gallery artisan, 381 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
When:      Friday 26 October - Saturday 15 December
  
After what feels like an eternity of waiting, it's finally the opening week of The Antipodean Steampunk Show, our biggest and final exhibition for the year.

The exhibition will launch this Thursday evening, and will be open to the public from Friday.

So, what is Steampunk?

Born in literature in the 1980s in response to the sci-fi ‘Cyberpunk’ genre, 'Steampunk' merged Victorian styling with contemporary technology and invention to create a genre so visually rich, it soon transcended the page.

These days, the influence of Steampunk can be found in film and fashion, as well as in the workshops of scores of hobbyist tinkerers and professional artists alike. 

The Steampunk movement rails against the modern obsession with upgrade and improvement by using elaborate craftsmanship to transform mass produced - and easily discarded - contemporary products into unique objects of desire.

Even if this is the first time you have heard the word 'Steampunk', you have probably seen its influence in films such as Sherlock Holmes, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, The Golden Compass, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Stardust, Hellboy, and The Illusionist to name a few.

The Antipodean Steampunk Show is bursting at the seams with fantastical items such as ray guns, tea bag jigglers, time machines, jewellery, rocket packs, and even a Victoriana peepshow. 

To attend Thursday night's opening event, please RSVP to info@artisan.org.au. Otherwise, we hope to see you at the gallery during the duration of the exhibition!

 

Shin Koyama at BCM's Crucible Gallery

Opening Night ‘Emaki-Modern’ by Shin Koyama

BCM Crucible Gallery

4 October 2012

BCM recently welcomed guests to the Opening Night of the latest exhibition in Crucible Gallery. 

Crucible Gallery is a unique gallery space, come meeting room housed within the offices of Brisbane-based advertising agency BCM. 

Artisan formed a partnership with BCM in 2011 which involves the curation of a number of exhibitions in the Crucible Gallery space to showcase the best of Queensland craft and design artists, as well as an Emerging Curator program.  

The Emerging Curator program develops the talents of an emerging arts curator under the guidance of the artisan team, and the program was recently recognised in the Australia Council’s Young and Emerging Artists category of the AbaF Queensland Awards.  The program will now compete in the AbaF National Awards later this month.

The artisan/BCM partnership is helping to develop future arts leaders, support Queensland’s craft and design community, and also provides exhibition opportunities for Queensland’s talented artists. 

Miriam Carter recently took up the role of BCM Emerging Curator and ‘Emaki-Modern’ is the first of the exhibitions that she has curated in Crucible Gallery on behalf of artisan. 

Drawing on the Japanese traditions of ‘Emaki-Mono’ (picture scrolls), ‘Shunga’ (erotic woodblock prints), ‘Manga’ (comic animation), and themes of historical events, cultures and people, Japanese born, Brisbane-based artist Shin Koyama transforms these art forms into distinctive and dynamic artworks for contemporary times.  The collection of ceramics, scrolls, paintings and print work on show in Crucible uniquely showcase the artist’s cheeky sense of humour and mischief.

Dr Craig Douglas of QCA and the artist provided BCM’s Opening Night guests with an entertaining insight into the many themes and inspirations behind Shin’s vibrant and uniquely individual artworks. 

Visitors to BCM, their clients and agency staff will be enjoying the ‘Emaki-Modern’ exhibition over the next month.

All works on display are courtesy of Shin Koyama and Jan Manton Art.

Crucible Gallery hours are by appointment.  

Photographs kindly supplied by BCM.

South Bank Visitor Centre souveniers

We are excited to launch a special project in partnership with South Bank Corporation for the design of a collection of souvenirs for the South Bank Visitor Centre. 

The first range of products is now available in South Bank’s Visitor Centre and includes: striking black and white mens and womens tees and caps, kids tees and bucket hats, soft toys, eco jute tote and laser-engraved metal keyrings. 

This project involved intensive site-specific research and close collaboration with South Bank and the manufacturing sector. All pieces in the collection make for great, affordable gifts which are connected to the South Bank precinct through design and story. 

Congratulations to designers KT Doyle, Dan Cox, Jess Dabro, and Roz Fenson for their great work on this project. 

The Visitor Centre is open daily from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day) and is located on the ground floor of South Bank House, on the corner of Ernest Street and Stanley Street Plaza, South Bank. Feel free to visit in person, call on (07) 3867 2051 or email at visitorcentre@south-bank.net.au.