The Weekender: August 22 – 24
CHECK out some strange robots at the Ian Potter Centre, enjoy the Czech and Slovak Film Festival and Exhibiton at Fed Square, catch a host of writers Melbourne wide or watch the new Doctor Who episode at the movies. Daniel Driscoll has you covered this weekend.
Nostalgia for Obsolete Futures Exhibition
Friday, August 22 – Sunday, October 19 (10.00am – 5.00pm); Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, Federation Square, Ground Level (Corner Swanston & Flinders St, Melbourne)
Check out something unlike anything you’ve seen before at the National Gallery of Victoria: Studio. This free exhibition sees visitors greeted by a group of bizarre interactive human-like robots, who are loose in the foyer of NGV Australia.
Dr Wade Marynowsky is the creator of these creatures and an anti-disciplinary artist who works across multiple disciplines including robotics, immersive and interactive installation and performance. He typically draws on technology and programmed structures to create works that straddle humour, high-camp and a host of unnerving thematic orientations to absorbing effect.
Nostalgia for Obsolete Futures gives an insight into Marynowsky’s intriguing artistic practice.
The exhibition includes interactive robotics, sound sculpture, audiovisual installations and performances.
A new work by the artist will be revealed during the course of the exhibition that he has been developing at NGV Studio.
For more info head to the Gallery’s site
Czech and Slovak Film Festival and Exhibition
Thursday, August 21 – Friday, August 29; Exhibition (10.00am – 6.00pm), Films (Various times); Yarra Gallery, Yarra Building, Federation Square (Corner Swanston St & Flinders St, Melbourne)
Image supplied
The Czech and Slovak Film Festival and Exhibition is on at Federation Square.
Visit an exhibition of photography and sculpture in the Yarra Gallery and while you’re at it catch a film or two at ACMI.
The trio of exhibitions are informed by the festival’s theme of Resistance and celebrate the singular career of legendary surrealist filmmaker and artist Jan Švankmajer.
The exhibitions aim to provide an insight into oppressors and dissidents alike, while the sculptural exhibition by local artists forms a dialogue with the rich themes and tactile nature of Švankmajer’s work.
The film component of the festival features some of Švankmajer’s films as well as a selection of feature films, shorts and documentaries.
For anyone interested in Czech and Slovak culture this is devinitely an event not to miss!
For more info head to the Festival’s site
Melbourne Writer’s Festival
Thursday, August 21 – Sunday, August 31 (Various times and venues)
The Melbourne Writer’s Festival is on again and there’s a huge lineup of events to check out.
Helen Garner, Salman Rushdie and Dave Eggers are just a few of the authors who will be giving talks and promoting new books.
There will be a huge range of activities on during the festival including Talking Points, which will take the talk beyond the Deakin Edge auditorium, with Q&A sessions online after selected events. Writer talks and Q&A’s will allow the audience to gain an insight into each writer’s process and the experiences that inspired the writing. Pointed current topics will be discussed at length and from all sides with a multitude of discussion panels.
TheABC’s Book Club will be taping a special Writer’s Festival edition of the show, featuring host Jennifer Byrne, regular panelists Jason Steger and Marieke Hardy, and special festival guests Meg Wolitzer (The Interestings) and Rupert Thompson (Secrecy). If you’re a fan then get your tickets quick!
Festival passes are available to save you plenty of cash if you plan to attend multiple events, which is a great idea when most talks are $19 each for a concession and $22 each for full price.
This is the literary event of the year so make sure you book your tickets as plenty of sessions will sell out!
Head to the Festival’s site for more info and to book tickets.
Doctor Who: Deep Breath at the cinema
Sunday, August 24 (Multiple session times); Select cinemas across Melbourne
Catch Peter Capaldi as the new Doctor. Image: Ben Sutherland via Flickr
Doctor Who is screening at the cinemas for one day only this weekend!
You could sit at home and watch the latest episode of Doctor Who in your lounge room or you can do something different and head to the movies to catch Peter Capaldi in his first episode as the Twelfth Doctor!
Deep Breath is a feature-length episode, running at 98 mins and you’ll also get to enjoy an extra 15 minutes of exclusive content!
If you need a little reminding of who this new mad man with a box is and the events leading up to the new episode, head over to the Wikipedia page.
Check your local cinema for session times and to book tickets.