Secrets will be exposed as artists respond to the Art & About Sydney theme of ‘Private Lives … Public Places’.
Art & About Sydney Creative Director Gill Minervini is keen for the theme to uncover some hidden angles of Sydney. ‘We’re really looking at secrets and revealing things about Sydney or people in Sydney that you might not have already known,’ said Minervini.
The theme was taken directly on board by the Alphabet Studio design practice, who created a ‘tell-all’ clothesline that branded laundry items with confessional statements and private thoughts. This can be seen throughout the city of Sydney.
‘Ideally the City Lights exhibition will stimulate conversation and provoke participants into considering their own secrets and quirks. Or at least give people a good old chuckle,’ said Tim Kliendienst of Alphabet Studio.
Kliendienst believes the concept of ‘Private Lives … Public Places’ is particularly relevant in the age of social media.
‘Many people seem quite eager to ‘tell-all’ in an online sphere, where they can construct and alter their true selves, but there are still parts of ourselves we still try to edit and conceal.’
Artists exhibiting work within Art & About Sydney have used the theme to delve into people and places of Sydney that have been previously undiscovered or underexposed.
One such exhibition is Bread & Butter. The video and story work chooses to focus on the human stories of people who have stayed the same as the environment around them changes through time.
The project was created after photographer David Adams returned to Sydney after a few years overseas. Adams felt inspired by the city and decided to create a project. ‘I reacted directly to the inner city and the feeling of its constant dynamic and thought: What happens when something, place or people resist change?’
Adams and story collector Evi van der Niet, went out searching for authentic old businesses around a single area, and the people who ran them. They found Nick the Barber, Doris Goddard from the Hollywood Hotel, the Perkal Brothers Shoemakers, Andy from McKenzie’s Hardware Store, Edinson from Legion Cabs and Eleni from the Oceanic Café.
‘They are all people who have had a strong ability to create and give something from themselves. This integrity alongside the courage to want to tell their story makes them special,’ said Adams.
The artists created short video pieces of each person, with a focus on memories. The revealing work will be shown on two large screens on Nick the Barber’s window.
As other artists similarly work towards the theme of ‘Private Lives … Public Places’ prepare for more than a few surprises in the city of Sydney through Art & About.
Art & About Sydney will run through Sydney from 20 September to 20 October.
For information about installations and events visit the Art & About Sydney website.
(Pictured: ‘Bread & Butter’ image of Andy Porrait [cropped])
