Blog — Page 175 of 282

Andy Warhol – Ai Weiwei

Yale University Press

This tome is an ode to The National Gallery of Victoria’s (NGV) Andy Warhol – Ai Weiwei exhibition.

An exhibition that epitomized the confabulation between two greats that through osmosis, synergy and juxtaposition added not only additional levels and dimensions to their respective oeuvre but resulted in a whole that is more than the sum of it.

The metaphorical dialogue that was created through the exhibition transcending space and time finds its extension in book form here – a testament to modern day art rooted in very different contexts, both culturally and philosophically.

The book manages to capture that despite the obvious differences, the DNA of both, i.e. reshaping tool as a weapon, means to change and catalyst for change, activism, symbolism and polemicism.

The depictions of artistic emissions that are beautifully set in scene and whose sequence is thoughtfully stage are underpinned by essays that were written by a large range of luminaries from the realms of curation, academia and the arts shed light and decipher why both Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei keep having such a profound impact on both the art landscape at large as well as au courant life.

An essential works for anyone who looks at art from a historical perspective and how the fight for freedom of both immunity and creative expression found two of its most vocal defenders, whose works have never lost an iota of relevance.

Not unlike the exhibition, the book offers something for everyone no matter if you are merely interested in the artists on a superficial level because you enjoy looking at their art or if you are inclined to delve deeper to unveil the nuances and commonalities between seemingly unrelated works.

Water of Life - Bushmills Irish

Whisky degustation  at nel. Restaurant, Sydney, Australia

Full disclosure: Bushmills Irish Whiskey had not been on my radar, neither had been Sydney’s restaurant nel. which hosted this six-course whiskey inspired degustation, the pairings of which were carefully orchestrated by Chef Nelly Robinson – a chef whose trademark style is comprised of fusing contemporary and traditional technique.

Inspired by the tasting notes of Bushmills’ individual expressions, Robinson aimed at not only matching his creations with the distilled emissions but create new personalities through the mélange that is created by fusing both components.

So far, so good.

Proceedings were kicked off with a Bushmills Irish Whiskey cocktail on arrival, followed by Peppered venison, sorrel. A good start, which was accentuated by pairing brioche with duck fat butter.

The first highlight of the evening was the pairing of the sweet and rich Oloroso Sherry Casks matured Bushmills Black Bush Irish Whiskey with beetroot crème brulee, vinegar popcorn. High in malt content, Bushmills Black Bush is an exercise par excellence in rich smoothness and it won me over from the get go.

Next up was Bushmills Single Malt Whiskey 10-year-old with burnt hay snapper, lemongrass, grape, charcoal. One could see the rationale behind Robinson’s pairing but the snapper struggled keeping up with the heavy honey and milk chocolate nuances of the 10-Year-Old.

The heavily sweet yet soft Bushmills Single Malt Whiskey 16-year-old is a thing of beauty and the pairing with whiskey and coffee beef, macadamia, onion cabbage only enhanced its flavours, however, pairing Bushmills Single Malt Whiskey 21-year-old with banoffee pie was were the evening peaked.

The overly malty 21 -year-old by itself unfolds a complex symphony with notes of raisins, spices, nuts and a bit of Sulphur but pairing it with banoffee pie elevated it to the next level.

The second highlight was the final course, i.e. the pairing of Bushmills Old Fashioned cocktail with smoky cheese.

An evening that not only highlighted  why Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery is known for its signature style of smooth, malt-rich spirits, but also lend weight to the claim the whisky is underrated when it comes to not only complementing food or running danger of overpowering it,  but elevates it and adds an additional dimension to it, which results in a  flavor experience the total of which is more than the sum of its individual components would have you think.

Read more Water of Life entries here.

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Photos by @k.a.vv

Star Wars Identities: The Exhibition

Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences

Sydney, Australia

Now, Star Wars – there are fan-related events and exhibitions aplenty in all shapes and forms.

The opening night 2018 incarnation of Star Wars Identities was an exercise is stylishly curated events that generated the excitement that an exhibition of this calibre warrants. Mingling with trademark characters of the franchise, e.g. Ewoks, Storm Troopers, Darth Vader et cetera, weaved through the crowds and interacted with willing participants. The Imperial March signified the beginning of the proceedings of the exhibition that completes the troika of Star Wars events at the Powerhouse museum.

The interaction of Star Wars characters with the audience was more than a mere indication of the nature of Star Wars: Identities, as the focus is heavily on creating an immersive and engaging experience that goes beyond merely showcasing token artefacts, which of course make up the lion’s share of the exhibition and which can be examined in meticulous details.

Based on psychological and neurophysiological approaches, visiting the exhibition should let you emerge with the knowledge of which Star Wars identity you are and will become saved on the wristband that signifies your DNA.

Given the fact that the Star Wars franchise has been going for well over forty years, the exhibition is testament to the longevity and significance it still holds and the phenomenon it has become.

Equipped with an exhibition specific headset, one embarks on a journey that does not feel dated and has not lost any of its relevance – au contraire.

A facet of the over two-hundred-piece strong exhibition I found particularly interesting is how conceptual design and concept changes individual characters underwent before they became the pop culture icons they have established themselves at and that have been hardwired into peoples’ mind in a way that would make it difficult for them to imagine them in any different form.

The fact that the exhibition is pervaded with the quest for identity and a deeper exploration of what constitutes it along with the never not intriguing nurture versus nature dispute based on the foundation that is the Star Wars cosmos, gives the exhibition an edge that makes it enticing even for the hardcore aficionados that have seen it all.

Polo in the City

Centennial Parklands

Sydney, Australia

November 17, 2018

What originated to ensure the fitness of mounted cavalry nearly three millennia ago in the region of Persia, slowly spread via the Middle East and Asia via a myriad of incarnations with a range of hoofed animals, e.g. camels, yaks, elephants to modern day transport vehicles, to become the royal sports mainly associated with the equine species, i.e. Polo.

Urban Polo is a variant of polo which was first orchestrated in Australia in 2005. The idea behind invigorating the traditional sport with contemporary rules was to make it more appealing to the observers. The fact that a significantly smaller pitch is used helps immensely with making it more immersive experience for the spectators as well as meaning a need for improvement when it comes to the reflexes, nimbleness and agility needed from the players as they are usually closely marked.

Increasing the size of the ball by a tenth while using a solid yet lighter plastic composite instead to the traditional hard form, minimizes the risk as it flies shorter distances yet allows for more experienced players to channel their alchemy into curving the ball.

Needless to say that the rules for Urban Polo have been adjusted accordingly with an emphasis on the safety for both horses and players.

Over the years, Urban Polo has established itself firmly on the firmament of major sports events with an edge across Australia, with a total of seven events staged annually, which are presented and operated under the umbrella of either of ‘Polo by the Sea’ or ‘Polo in the City’, the latter of which has established itself as the world’s largest national polo series of any kind and whose 2018 incarnation in Sydney we witnessed.

So far, so glorious.

What makes Polo in the City an enjoyable event apart from the polo games throughout the day is the social aspect, which is dramatically enhanced by the premium hospitality offered in the themed lounges and pavilions, which make the event a glamourous outing with DJs, an abundance of cuisine and premium libations galore all framed by a dazzling display of fashion and eye candy galore.

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Photos by @k.a.vv

Reggie Watts

Opera House

Sydney, Australia

November 23, 2018

Virtuous musician.

Entertainer par excellence.

Comedian…and, well everything in between.

The does not even remotely come close to a depiction of what makes Reggie Watts the immensely enjoyable artist he is.

You would have encountered him in some form on TV but in a live environment, Reggie Watts is an infectious perpetuum mobile of goodness that effortlessly transitions from situational comedy via improvisations to something that comes close to a proper full-blown band performance, which he accomplishes by only relying on his effect pedals, beatboxing and vocal delivery.

The beauty of Watts’ performance lies in his abilities to signify, impersonate and lampoon without falling prey to the traps that make so many stand-ups acts these days lacklustre.

His shows results in an audience that is willingly embraced by the warmness that is the at the centre of the alchemy Watts channels and his stream-of-consciousness elaborations – it is hard to not have a constant smile on one’s face while this prototype of an entertainer is at work.

Bill Murray’s incarnation on the same stage was funny, silly and overly self-indulgent.

Reggie Watts on the other hand is funny, silly and….affective and unique. An imaginative comedian in a singer’s body and vice versa that has figured out how humour and laughter can be generated with mere sounds.

Improvisations form the foundation of a performance that is contextualised in such an expert manner that the mere mentioning of local places and other references in Watts’ anecdotes evokes heartfelt laughter and demonstrates the smart man who has done his due diligence and homework on the town whose stage he is about to grace with his presence.

An immensely enjoyable evening - go and check the man out for yourself.

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Photo courtesy of Sydney Opera House