Sydney's biggest public art festival, Art & About, will celebrate its seventh year in 2008. Over three weeks, the talents of emerging and established Australian and international artists will be displayed in a series of vibrant exhibitions and events in the streets, public spaces and galleries across the City of Sydney.
Highlights of the program include:
Sydney Life - October 4 - 26
Exhibition showcasing 22 humorous, moving and vibrant artworks by Australia's top photographers presented in a wonderful outdoor gallery in Hyde Park North. Combining art with food, The Sydney Morning Herald Good Food Month Night Noodle Markets will also be on each weekday night from October 13 - 24.
The Stables - October 11 - 26
A highly visual and engaging Public Art Project by Annie Kennedy along Erskineville Road, featuring installations, projections and shopfront exhibitions referencing the role of horses and stables in Erskineville's history and community life.
Open Gallery Retrospective - October 7-26
Eighteen of the finest Open Gallery artworks from the last 6 years will be shown on 850 street banners located across the City.
By George! - October 4 onwards
City laneways will be transformed into creative spaces along George Street in the CBD. Building on the highly successful Live Lanes project in 2007, artists have been asked to create temporary art installations that complement their unique settings.
Danks Street Festival - Sunday October 26
This all-day street festival will include live music, an art market featuring works by local artists, roving entertainers, gourmet food stalls and a fresh produce market in one of Sydney's most exciting food and art hubs - Danks Street, Waterloo.
Oxford Street will be a new focus of the event in 2008, with public spaces, shopfronts and venues transported with installations, exhibitions, performance art, live music and a gallery and restaurant tour. Highlights of the Oxford Street Art & About program include:
- Free Public Launch Celebration in Taylor Square - October 9: Live entertainment, exhibitions along Oxford Street and the announcement of the winner of the Sydney Life Photography Prize
- Love TV @ Taylor Square, October 9 - 19: The mock TV station designed as a Darlinghurst bed-sit will have daily shows with presenter Rebecca McIntosh performing as "Aphrodite" and featuring interviews with local celebrities and personalities about their experiences and love of Oxford Street and Darlinghurst.
- Burdekin Hotel, Wednesday 15 October (6pm to 7.30pm): Talk by Open Gallery Curator, Barbara Flynn and participating artists.
- Free life drawing classes run by the National Art School.
- Exhibition by local artist Gareth Ernst in the heritage toilets in Taylor Square North.
- Rock on Oxford: a podcast tour of the area and its rock and roll music history.
- Oxford Art Factory: Program of art, live music and performances, including a busking competition.
- Parade Historical Walking Tour on Oxford Street by a City historian. 22 and 25 October, 1pm. Bookings: 9265 9296.
Full program details will be available closer to the event on the new website at www.artandabout.com.au. In the meantime subscribe to the City's What's On newsletter to receive regular updates about Art & About and other events or download a copy of the Art & About 2007 catalogue for a look at last years event.
Photograph: Sydney Life finalist 2007, Andrew Quilty - Days Passed
