International Museum Day
Hyperconnected Museums: New Approaches, New Publics
Sydney Culture Network (SCN) is joining thousands of museums across six continents in May to celebrate International Museum Day, exploring the connections that tie museums to their communities, cultural landscapes and natural environments.
SCN member organisations will join more than 30,000 museums in 120 countries taking part in International Museum Day on and around 18 May, offering special guided tours in diverse languages including Cantonese, Greek and Japanese, historical and contemporary exhibitions, live performances, panel discussions and interactive family programs.
International Museum Day, which originated in 1977 with the Paris-based International Council of Museums (ICOM), is a global event that raises awareness of the role that museums play in the development of societies.
The annual event’s objective is to raise awareness of the fact that museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.
The theme for 2018 is Hyperconnected Museums: New Approaches, New Publics.
Chair of Sydney Culture Network Professor Ross Harley says: “International Museum Day will see a diverse mix of up to 20 large, small and medium-sized arts and cultural organisations collaborate across greater Sydney. The event brings together many of the state’s most admired, trusted and dynamic institutions.
“International Musuem Day is a moment to celebrate museums as powerful social and artistic centres for education, learning and engagement, for housing priceless collections, for building social cohesion, civic debate and to project our city to the world.’’
This SCN initiative will see unprecedented levels of representation in International Musuem Day from Sydney, with more than 20 cultural institutions and organisations participating including Campbelltown Arts Centre, Casula Powerhouse, Australian Centre for Photography, Art Gallery of NSW, Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Botanic Gardens & Centennial Parklands, Artspace, Mosman Art Gallery, and UNSW Galleries.
International Museum Day is officially 18 May 2018, and the SCN will roll out activities and events throughout May.
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY
The International Council of Museums (ICOM) established International Museum Day in 1977 to increase public awareness of the role of museums in the development of society, and it has been steadily gaining momentum ever since. In 2017, International Museum Day garnered record-breaking participation with more than 36,000 museums hosting events in 156 countries.
ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL OF MUSEUMS
The International Council of Museums Australia (ICOM Australia) is a part of the global network of museum and heritage professionals committed to the world’s natural and cultural heritage. As a branch of the International Council of Museums based in Paris, it represents the international interests of its member museums and museum professionals across Australia and nearby regions.
Porosity Kabari - Australian Design Centre - 5 April to 23 May
Made from materials and craftsmanship sourced solely from the ‘Chor Bazaar’ (thieves market) and ‘Kabari Bazaars’ (junk markets) in Mumbai, India, the works in this exhibition are the result of an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, collaborative project by Australian object designer Trent Jansen, Australian artist/architect Richard Goodwin and Indian design thinker Ishan Khosla.
Trent Jansen, Dropping A Kumbhar Wala Matka 2016, PhotoNeville Sukhia
Lessons in transformative objects with Professor Richard Goodwin - Australian Design Centre - 10 May, 6-8pm
Richard Goodwin’s practice explores Duchamp’s revelation of the ‘readymade’. How can something be something else? His work does not invent new shapes but instead appropriates objects with differing functions, combining them at different scales.
Goodwin will present a lecture focusing on his experiences working on Porosity Kabari an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural, collaborative project in Mumbai alongside Australian object designer Trent Jansen and Indian design thinker Ishan Khosla.
Richard Goodwin, 1-√2 Charpai for Mumbai 2016. Photo Neville Sukhia
Interpretations V Paper (Cellulose) - Australian Design Centre - 5 April to 23 May
Interpretations V explores the material limits of paper (cellulose) – a challenging but incredibly rich material. Each designer has cut, folded, formed, stitched, moulded (as pulp) or laminated paper, transforming an everyday, inexpensive, two-dimensional material into a three-dimensional work of experimental design. Featuring the work of Elbowrkshp, Tom Fereday, Benja Harney, Tom Skeehan, Andrew Simpson, Harriet Watts and Charles Wilson.
Object Space - Vita Cochran: En Vitrine - Australian Design Centre - 5 April to 23 May
Embracing bold colour and geometry, Vita's hand embroidered handbags and applique hangings seek a position somewhere between utility, fashion and art. Made for Object Space, this exhibition has been conceived as a homage to a fascinating and forward-looking window display created by Sonia Delaunay for the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs in Paris.
Envelope clutch 2015, Wool embroidery on linen, Photo Vita Cochran
Embroidered Abstraction: Vita Cochran in conversation with Lisa Cahill - Australian Design Centre - 3 May, 6-8pm
Vita Cochran’s Object Space exhibition, En Vitrine was conceived as a homage to a fascinating and forward-looking window display created by Sonia Delaunay for the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoratifs in Paris. In photographs of Delaunay’s window we see boldly embroidered handbags, draped patterned scarves, and a wonderful screen of contrasting geometric patterns. Diana Vreeland described it as “a one woman campaign of irresistible visual exuberance”.
Come and listen to Vita chat with Lisa Cahill, CEO and Artistic Director, Australian Design Centre about her fascinating practice and the inspiration behind her Object Space show.
Morning Tea with the Director - Mosman Art Gallery - 18 May, 10.30am
Celebrate International Museum Day at Mosman Art Gallery by joining us for a special morning tea with Gallery Director, John Cheeseman. Find out how a small regional gallery partners with national and international institutions while enjoying a cake specially baked by the Director himself. Free event.
Secret Science - The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney - 17 May, 5:30 pm-7.30 pm
For almost two centuries, the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney has been collecting and studying plants from around the world. On this special tour, you can join our passionate and knowledgeable plant scientists as they take you behind-the-scenes to share their work and some of the treasures of the Garden's collection.
Old and New Science - The Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney - 8 May to 1 July
A fascinating exhibition highlighting the collections of the original Ethnobotanical Museum at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. The collections are on display after being stored away for 50 years!! The exhibit brings together historical collections with those of today, and showcases the staff who work to expand our understanding of our botanical world.
Christian Thompson Ritual Intimacy - UNSW Galleries - 4 May to 14 July
Christian Thompson is one of Australia’s leading and most exciting contemporary artists. He made history as the first Aboriginal Australian to be accepted into Oxford University, England, and completed his PhD there in 2015.
Thompson works across photography, video, sculpture, performance and sound to explore notions of identity, race and Australia’s colonial history. Best known for his photographic self-portraits which focus on the artist’s cultural background and sexuality, this exhibition will present work from across fifteen years of practice, including his iconic and extensive Australian Graffiti series featuring Thompson dressed up in Australian flora.
Christian Thompson, Invaded dreams (from the series We bury our own) 2012, C-type print. Courtesy of the artist, Sarah Scout Presents, Melbourne, and Michael Reid, Sydney and Berlin.
Enough خلاص Khalas - UNSW Galleries - 4 May to 14 July
The word khalas in Arabic has a myriad of definitions including: ‘stop’ ‘finish’, ‘that’s all’, ‘it’s fine’ and ‘enough!’ Khalas is an informal word verbally exchanged between people but not present in formal Arabic literature.
This exhibition unapologetically explores the contemporary Australian Muslim experience in the now, through a series of contemporary works across a number of mediums. From the daily media beat-ups, to outright racist leadership taunts directed at Muslims, this modern day Orientalism relentlessly depicts Islamo-fascist terrorists, creeping Shariah and the fantasy of infantilised Muslim women.
Many Australian Muslims have had enough. Not only have they had enough, but they have decided they are enough. Khalas. This is a diverse exhibition that speaks with candour to the often cited but rarely interrogated social condition of Australian Muslims today.
Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, The boy who couldn't sleep, 2017. 56 x 127 x 74cm. Painted wood, buffalo horn. Courtesy the artist.