A major new public pavilion and sculptural landmark by Australian artist and architect Chris Fox has been unveiled today in the heart of South Eveleigh’s revitalised Village Square in Sydney.

For Interchange Pavilion, a major new commission by Mirvac and its consortium partners for South Eveleigh, Fox drew inspiration from the precinct’s rail history combining over 250 metres of stainless steel ground rails, 15 tonnes of robotically moulded glass reinforced concrete and 1400 pieces of router cut hardwood. This unique material palette is supported by a 14 tonne structure made up of over 1650 pieces of digitally fabricated aluminium to create a 350 square-metre public art installation. The project is curated by Carriageworks.

The arcing architectural forms of Interchange Pavilion reference the geometry of a railroad switch; the point at which a train can change its course, moving from one trajectory to another. The pavilion is a meeting place where tracks converge, a place of interchange where paths cross. Peeling from the ground plane, geometries arc overhead to create an embracing volume; a point of confluence.

Image: Josh Raymond

Sydney Observatory has today announced the appointment of Indigenous Astrophysicist Karlie Noon as the first Astronomy Ambassador, and its inaugural residency program for researchers and creatives. Built in 1858, Sydney Observatory is one of the most significant sites in Australia’s scientific history. The heritage listed site is positioned on the highest point of Warrane (Sydney) boasting panoramic views of Sydney Harbour and is considered a site of significance for the Eora nation.

Noon is passionate about Indigenous astronomical knowledge and was the first Indigenous female to obtain a double degree in physics and mathematics. The multiple award-winner was an ACT Young Australian of the Year 2019 finalist and a Eureka Prize Emerging Leader 2019 finalist.

Noon will work with the Observatory to develop a portfolio of science engagement programs during the six-month period. As part of National Science Week and the Sydney Science Trail, on Saturday 22 August, Noon will present her first program, a livestream exploring the planets, stars and highlights of the Southern Sky live from the Sydney Observatory.

Image: Karlie Noon, Sydney Observatory’s first Astronomy Ambassador. Courtesy University of Newcastle

The Powerhouse today announced two new exhibitions launching September 2020; Design for Life, which explores the role of design in medicine and Hybrid an exhibition investigating the future home.

Opening on 12 September, Hybrid aims to interrogate the contemporary urban condition and explore the role of the home in 2030. The Powerhouse, in collaboration with Creative Director and writer Stephen Todd, has commissioned nine design studios to work with researchers and practitioners from alternative industries to create a series of furniture and objects exploring the rapidly changing global landscape and the most pressing issues of our time. The selected designers, including Amsterdam based Rive Roshan and acclaimed Australian designers Adam Goodrum, Trent Jansen and Elliat Rich, have responded to issues such as the global pandemic, air quality, bush fires, rising temperatures and wellbeing to premiere new objects ranging from a contemporary home shrine, a space to refocus and de-stress, a responsive light source that brings the experiences of nature into the home, a table and stool from recycled plastic to artefacts developed from the objects left behind by loved ones.

Design for Life explores the central role of design in the health and medical sector and celebrates the intersection between science and design, showcasing design innovation in the creation of medical equipment, devices and tools that save and improve the quality of human life. Drawing on the Museum’s rich collection of medical and scientific material from the late 1800s to present day, the exhibition will bring together over 200 objects from the collection with the latest in medical and scientific product design.

Image: Half-piece reusable respirator. Made by 3M Australia, 1997-2000. Photographed by Ryan Hernandez, MAAS.

Anna Schwartz Gallery will honour the life and work of Melbourne-based multidisciplinary artist and seminal figure in contemporary Australian abstraction, John Nixon (b 1949), who has passed away following a year-long illness. In memoriam of the artist, Anna Schwartz, founder of Anna Schwartz Gallery, who has held a valued, close friendship with the artist throughout his career, has announced she will extend the institutional-scale solo exhibition currently installed at the Gallery until the end of 2020.

“John has been a fundamental artist and source of inspiration for me in the gallery; a friend for 35 years whose support and enthusiasm have been generously given to all who he has worked with. As I assured him on the last day of his life, his work will endure and I am privileged to be part of making it so. John’s beautiful exhibition Groups + Pairs 2016-2020 will remain in the main gallery until the end of this year as a tribute, a memoriam and a great experience for all who visit”, said Anna Schwartz.

The exhibition Groups + Pairs 2016 – 2020, will remain on view at Anna Schwartz Gallery until the end of this year. The exhibition features 116 new and existing works and is a dedication to this leading Australian artist who is known for his elegant experiments in non-objective painting.

Image: Groups + Pairs 2016 – 2020, 2020, Installation view, Anna Schwartz Gallery

Online gallery and art consultancy Curatorial+Co. has opened a new physical gallery space in Redfern, Sydney. The new warehouse-style gallery will showcase accessible, one-of-a-kind and limited edition works by established and emerging artists and designers from around the world.
Founded in 2015, Curatorial+Co. seeks to break down the traditional stereotypes of the white cube gallery by presenting a vibrant mix of work by contemporary artists alongside contemporary design objects in a warm environment that welcomes both emerging and established collectors.  The gallery will be a meeting place to connect collectors with the artists and designers themselves.

Image: Installation view for the inaugural exhibition Here With Me, Anne Graham

Carriageworks, one of Australia’s largest and most significant contemporary multi-arts centre, has reopened to the public. Visitors now have free access to a range of visual art installations by leading Australian and international artists, including eight new commissions as part of the 22nd Biennale of Sydney, a major exhibition by Giselle Stanborough and public artwork by Reko Rennie.

The weekly Carriageworks Farmers Market has also returned, providing the freshest seasonal produce from the best growers and producers from around NSW. Strict health and safety measures will be in place at the Carriageworks Farmers Market and they will continue to operate as a strict shop-and-go service for the community.

Image: Giselle Stanborough, Cinopticon, 2020, Carriageworks. Photo credit Mark Pokorny.