Category: CITIES

What to see at the NGV: Summer exhibitions of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat

Updated: 19/04/2019

From 1 December, the National Gallery of Victoria will have two of the most influential artists of the 20th century on show. Until 13 April 2020 and exclusive to Melbourne, the NGV will present more than 300 works in an exhibition that will offer new insights into Haring and Basquiat’s unique visual languages and the many intersections between their lives, practices and ideas. This of course off the back of the NGV’s winter Friday Night Series, which in 2019 stars a tonne of leading and emerging singers and performers, really rounding out what the Gallery has to offer. Oh, and plenty of dumplings, courtesy of Hutong Dumpling Bar. “We felt there’s been enough time to pause and reflect on just how powerful their (Haring and Basquiat’s) aesthetic has become worldwide, particularly in Melbourne, which is famed for its street art scene,” said Tony Elwood, director of the NGV. The Gallery is known for their leading and renowned exhibits, which this year and to round-out summer, will highlight the artists’ idiosyncratic imagery, radical ideas and complex socio-political commentary that changed the art world of the 1980s. See more about the exhibitions on now and in summer at the NGV at the Gallery’s website.

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: Jean-Michael Basquiat, Kit Haring, melbourne art, Melbourne NGV, national gallery victoria, National Gallery Victoria Melbourne, ngv, NGV exhibitions, ngv melbourne, NGV summer, NGV Tony Elwood, Summer art

Dumplings and art: Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria joins with Hutong Dumpling Bar for winter Friday Nights series

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

The NGV’s Friday Night Series is back again and this time; they’re doing dumplings. Appropriate for a city like Melbourne to shine a light on its awesome cuisine and art, coming together in one culmination of sensational experience for locals and visitors alike. And only ’til 12 October. As part of the new collaboration, Melbourne’s Hutong Dumpling Bar takes over NGV’s Gallery Kitchen for the 2019 Melbourne Winter Masterpieces NGV Friday Nights series, transforming it into a Shanghai-inspired dumpling bar. It’ll all involve a Friday night feature headline act, showcasing the best of Australia’s vibrant and diverse musical talent. This season’s headliners include performers such as self-made Melbourne performer Maribelle, soulful Sydney vocalist Thandi Phoenix, Brisbane’s Young Franco, Sydney’s NGAIIRE and songwriter and producer GRAACE. Here’s what’s on… NGV Friday Nights full line-up: Friday 31 May – Husky Friday 7 June – Amaya Laucirica Friday 14 June – NGAIIRE Friday 21 June – Approachable Members Of Your Local Community Friday 28 June – Sloan Peterson Friday 5 July – I Know Leopard Friday 12 July – Sui Zhen Friday 19 July – Adrian Eagle Friday 26 July – Rainbow Chan Friday 2 August – Kira Puru Friday 9 August – Hobsons Bay Coast Guard Friday 16 August – CLYPSO Friday 30 August – Slum Sociable Friday 6 September – The Audreys Friday 13 September – Maribelle Friday 20 September – LÂLKA Friday 27 September – GRAACE Friday 4 October – Thandi Phoenix Friday 11 October – Yumi Zouma Saturday 12 October – Young Franco Head to the NGV on any Friday of choice… Read More

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: Art blog, Australian art blog, Hutong Dumplings, Hutong dumplings Melbourne, Hutong Melbourne, ngv, the f art, THE F Hutong, the f melbourne, THE F National Gallery Victoria, the f ngv

Shakespeare in Sydney: See The Tempest at the Seymour Centre

The Tempest - Amy Usherwood and Drew Livington by Seiya Taguchi

by James Banham

Updated: 19/04/2019

For those comprehension of the English language is adept enough to throw it right back tot he 15th century, then rejoice, Shakespeare’s back in Sydney. One of the Bard’s truly original and most personal plays, The Tempest is a symphonic vision of forgiveness, discovery and self-discovery – famous for its language, context, enchanting characters and breathtaking theatricality. It’s this is a reflection of the world’s most famous playwright at the height of his powers and at the end of his remarkable career and this month, is on at the Seymour Centre in Sydney. This year’s production is by Sydney theatre group, Sport for Jove and will appear at The Seymour Centre played house to this year’s Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, hosting such epic productions as Briefs and KING. This 100-minute production of The Tempest compresses the action of the play while retaining the joy and magic. Now in its third season, this production from Artistic Director Damien Ryan will delight students and adults alike. Get tickets for only $28 and see more here.

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY, THEATRE

Tags: Seymour Centre, Shakespeare Sydney, Shakespeare Tempest Sydney, Shakespeare The Tempes, Sport for Jove, Sport for Jove Shakespeare Tempest, sydney theatre, Tempest Sydney, THE F Shakespeare, THE F Sport for Jove, THE F Tempest, Theatre in Sydney

5 major things to see and eat this Melbourne Good Food Month

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

Melbourne Good Food Month is back again from 1-30 June and if previous years have been anything to go by, it’s gonna be a big one. There’s a tonne of stuff on for it, as per usual, this year with some big names like Marco Pierre White, Matt Stone, and Andrew McConnell throwing their tea towels behind it all. Here’s what to see this year. An Evening with Marco Pierre White Wednesday, 5 June 6.30pm Time with MPW will start with a dinner featuring Phil Wood (Pt Leo Estate and Laura, Mornington Peninsula) who will take on Marco’s classics and create them as his own. Tickets include four courses with matching wines and beer supplied by James Squire. Osteria Marco Thursday, 6 June 6.30pm A conversation with Marco Pierre White while sharing pasta dishes by Andreas Papadakis (Tipo 00, Melbourne) and Joel Valvasori-Pereza (Lulu La Delizia, Perth). The New Vanguard Friday, 7 June 6.30pm Chefs Matt Stone (Oakridge, Yarra Valley) and Paul Iskov (Fervor, Perth) are part of the new chef vanguard putting hyper-local, sustainably sourced produce on the menu. Young Chefs Lunch with Marco Pierre White presented by Citi Saturday, 8 June I 1.30pm Mentored by the master himself Marco Pierre White, Melbourne’s next generation of culinary superstars present an extraordinary lunch. The Young Chefs Lunch showcases the impressive skills of the young guns of the country’s top kitchens, with a three-course lunch with matched wines in the chic surrounds of Good Food Month’s Restaurant at Canvas House. Sunday Best with Marco Pierre White and Andrew McConnell Sunday, 9 June 1.30pm Marco Pierre White and Andrew McConnell will… Read More

Category: CITIES, FEATURES, LIFESTYLE, MELBOURNE

Tags: 5 major things to see and eat this Melbourne Good Food Month, Best things about Melbourne, good food month, Marco Pierre White Melbourne Good Food Month, Melbourne Australia capital, Melbourne food capital, Melbourne Foos, melbourne good food month

The drink to drink before you drink: Body Armour erases hangovers

by James Banham

Posted: 12/04/2019

Mardi Gras, birthdays, Christmas (we all need help), and general Saturday nights all mean one thing: hangovers. But those days might be gone if you’ve got an open mind and a strong will to try anything once: Body Armour exists and is the little drink before a big night out. It’s a little energy-loaded, nutrient-rich power shot that you take at least an hour prior to drinking as a drinking prophylactic so you wake up in the morning feeling less shit than you otherwise would. Look, nothing’s fool-proof, but there’s something to be said for the ‘one drink, one glass of water’ rule combined with one of these. You wake up feeling on top – more or less – of your game. New to the Australian market (launched October 27) Body Armour is the little drink to have before a big night out. Designed to provide you with essential nutrients and relief from your typical hangover symptoms, this liquid gold is the perfect solution to keeping you on track for your fitness goals. Body Armour at the Sydney Fitness Show Body Armour will have a stand at this year’s Fitness Show (April 12-14 2019 at the ICC Sydney) where you can test the drink, get free stuff and win stuff. And just generally be surrounded by good-looking people.

Category: CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: Body Armour, Body Armour drink, Fitness Show, Hangover, hangover cure, Hangover relief, How to avoid hangover, Sydney Fitness Show

Royal Opera’s Big Screens: Watch performances from anywhere in the UK this summer

Carmen production image (C) ROH. Photo by Bill Cooper

by James Banham

Updated: 08/04/2019

In 24 locations all around the UK, the best of British culture by the Royal Opera will be broadcast – thanks to BP Big Screens – for everyone to enjoy. Putting on classics like Romeo and Juliet (11 June), Carmen (2 July) and The Marriage of Figaro (9 July), the Royal Opera will broadcast live to locations across the UK like at Aberdeen’s Duthie Park, Castle Square in Swansea, Walton Halls and Gardens in Warrington and all the way down to Bembridge in the Isle of Wight. What else in on? Well, nothing but the best. 11 June at Covent Garden will show Kenneth MacMillan’s celebrated ballet Romeo and Juliet 2 July will see the screening of the award-winning director Barrie Kosky’s exuberant take on Bizet’s Carmen. And, on 9 July, the Royal Opera’s The Marriage of Figaro will be screened. Mozart’s greatest comedy is given a sumptuous staging by David McVicar, its stunning score is fast-moving in this hilarious production with ravishing duets and emotionally potent arias. The Big Screens have been running since 1987 and smashed out over 41,500 audience members between the lot of them last year alone. It’s a popular endeavour by the Royal Opera and it’s easy to see why. There is a seriously large number of places to catch some of the headlining screenings. Here they all are: Romeo and Juliet, 11 June 2019: Trafalgar Square (London); Cressing Temple Barns (Essex); Trinity Square (Hull); Sandy Balls Holiday Village, The New Forest (Hampshire); Television Centre, White City (London); Walton Hall… Read More

Category: ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON, OPERA

Tags: Big Screen London, Public screening, Royal Opera Big Screen, Royal Opera London, Royal Opera public screening, The F London, THE F Royal Opera

Kids’ passion for art: National Gallery London puts on Take One Picture

by James Banham

Posted: 07/04/2019

What happens when you put kids in front of artwork? Well… generally nothing, but as it happens, not if they visit the National Gallery right in the middle of London. They’re putting on Take One Picture, a unique program to get kids into artwork in a particularly contemporary way: with their phones! Kids from around the ages of 1-6 are invited to focus on one of the paintings in the gallery and respond creatively to its themes and subject matter, historical context, or composition. Purposed to promote the visual arts across the curriculum and inspiring a lifelong love of art, this year the National Gallery chose An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump (1768) by Joseph Wright ‘of Derby’ as the kids’ inspiration and it’s easy to see why. The work An Experiment on a Bird in the Air Pump depicts a travelling scientist demonstrating the formation of a vacuum by withdrawing air from a flask containing a white cockatoo. Air pumps were developed in the 17th century and were relatively familiar by Wright’s day. It was chosen for the wide range of subjects that are explored: the depiction of a scientific invention and its entertainment value, the human drama happening in a night-time domestic setting, and the references to the Age of Enlightenment. The bird will die if the demonstrator continues to deprive it of oxygen, and Wright (1734–1797) leaves us in doubt as to whether or not the cockatoo will be reprieved. The painting reveals a wide range of individual reactions,… Read More

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: National Gallery London, National Gallery London art, National Gallery Take One Picture, Take One Picture, The F London, THE F National Gallery

Woolwich’s finest feed: Cucinetta on the water does stylish food well

by Emi Berry

Posted: 04/04/2019

Looking for somewhere special to dine? Then we’ll let you in on a little secret. Overlooking Lane Cove River in the peaceful suburb of Woolwich is Cucinetta, an award winning, hatted Italian restaurant which is just about to launch an exciting new breakfast menu that is guaranteed to please. Sydney born and bred Vincenzo Mazzotta, founder and Executive Chef at Cucinetta, creates unforgettable meals by using methods his forefathers used, applying them to slow cooking, pasta and cheese making. Ideally, you’d like to keep a hidden gem like this to yourself. But it would be unfair not to tell others about this beautifully located restaurant serving up delicious, authentic Italian dishes, including the incredibly fresh pastries, baked in-house. The new breakfast menu due to be launched in early April offers something for everyone. Frankly, they had me at ‘Nutella-filled croissants with white chocolate and hazelnuts’. But the ricotta hot cake with orange mascarpone, poached pear, figs, coconut and nuts is hot on the heels of those freshly baked croissants. Also high on the list of ‘must-haves’ is the super fluffy, brioche French toast, with caramelised banana, ricotta, chocolate and salted caramel. But if sweet dishes aren’t your jam, fear not, as there are a plenty of savoury dishes to satisfy, such as the moreish baked eggs with kale, chorizo, capsicum, tomato, chili and focaccia. The zucchini flower fritters with smoked salmon, cucumber, crème fraiche, and poached egg is another dish that is hard to go past. The ambience at Cucinetta is cheerful by day and… Read More

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FOOD & DRINK, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: best restaurants sydney, Cucinetta Lane Cove Sydney, Cucinetta Sydney, sydney food, sydney restaurants, THE F Cucinetta, THE F restaurant

See Spain, eat Spain: National Gallery London celebrates Spanish art in more ways than one

by James Banham

Posted: 04/04/2019

For the Sorolla: Spanish Master of Light exhibition, the National Gallery has introduced some new menus to what’s on offer – read more about that here – but it’s the art on-show by Bermejo alongside it that’s one of the real drawcards. Dubbed the Master of the Spanish Renaissance, Bartolome Bermejo’s exhibition will star at the Gallery until 19 September 2019. On show, pieces of work by the master from the period of about 1440-1501 will be displayed, including six loans that have never been seen outside of Spain, including two of Bermejo’s masterpieces: Triptych of the Virgin of Montserrat and Desple Pieta. The latter was named after Lluis Despla, the archdeacon of the Barcelona Cathedral, where the painting has been since the 15th century. Also right at the centre of the exhibition, the National Gallery will have what’s widely considered the most important Spanish renaissance painting in Britain on display: Saint Michael triumphant over the Devil. Director of the National Gallery, Dr. Gabriele Finaldi said, “The National Gallery’s Saint Michael Triumphant is a supreme work of European 15th-century painting. The exhibition introduces the public to Bermejo, a great Spanish renaissance master with exceptional loans never before seen in Britain.” See more about exhibition, alongside the rest of the summertime exhibitions at the National Gallery at the Gallery’s website.

Category: ART, ARTS & CULTURE, CITIES, LIFESTYLE, LONDON

Tags: Art blogs London, Art websites London, London lifestyle blog, National Gallery exhibitions, National Gallery London, National Gallery summer exhibitions, Summer exhibitions London, THE F art blog, THe F lifestyle blog London, The F London

Celebrate Australia with food: South Australian dining series at MODE Kitchen and Bar

by James Banham

Updated: 16/11/2022

In the hotel lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel in Sydney, MODE Kitchen and Bar rules the roost – along with Grain Bar – in giving its guests and visitors one hell of a ride in gastronomy. A part of the hotel’s Celebrate Australia dining series, head chef Francesco Mannelli has played with some of the finest fare – and seasonally-based, geographically sourced goods from down under – the country has to offer. It hails from South Australia, really heroing a lot of what the state has to offer. And for an Italian, Mannelli really loves what it does; adding a lot of variety to food he knows well and loves to work with. For Mannelli, simplicity is key when working with such incredible produce. He notes that the best way to highlight an ingredient that is already special on its own, is to create a dish with a good balance of flavour, a contrast in texture and respects the produce. Guests dining on the new menu can experience dishes like sautee Coorong Pippies, served with spicy sausages from Calabria, karkalla and grilled focaccia; a grilled hard to source cut in the form of a Mayura Station Wagyu Tri Tip MB 9+ with roasted balsamic onions; Hiramasa kingfish sashimi with sweet and sour sauce, macadamia and pickled onion and a South Australian kangaroo loin, crusted with crushed Tasmanian pepper, warigal greens and beetroot. “It is one of Mode Kitchen & Bar’s key philosophy to work with local produce, showcasing to our International and domestic clientele…. Read More

Category: AUSTRALIAN FOOD, CITIES, FEATURES, FOOD & DRINK, ITALIAN FOOD, LIFESTYLE, SYDNEY

Tags: bars in sydney, best restaurants sydney, Celebrate Australia food series, Celebrate Australia Mode Kitchen Bar, Grain Bar, Mode Kitchen Bar, Mode Kitchen Bar Four Seasons, sydney restaurants

ARTS & CULTURE

Yayoi Kasuma makes more history at NGV Melbourne

22/11/2024

By James Banham

This summer, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne invites you to lose yourself in the extraordinary universe of Yayoi Kusama.

Why rush to see The Great Mughals at V&A: a celebration of opulence, art and culture

22/11/2024

By James Banham

Today, the Victoria and Albert Museum opens the doors to a landmark exhibition, The Great Mughals: Art, Architecture and Opulence. For the first time in a major show, the monumental artistic achievements of the Mughal Empire’s ‘Golden Age’ (c. 1560–1660) take centre stage, showcasing the splendour, craftsmanship, and cultural exchange that defined one of the world’s greatest empires. The Glory of the Mughals The Mughal dynasty, rooted in Central Asia, was founded in 1526 by Babur, a Timurid prince who carved out an empire stretching from modern-day Afghanistan to the edges of southern India, and from Gujarat to the borders of present-day Bangladesh. At its zenith, the empire was known for its staggering wealth, progressive governance, and artistic innovation. Focused on the reigns of three of the dynasty’s most celebrated emperors—Akbar (r. 1556–1605), Jahangir (r. 1605–1627), and Shah Jahan (r. 1628–1658)—the exhibition illuminates a period when the Mughal court transformed into a cultural powerhouse. These were the rulers who commissioned masterpieces like the Taj Mahal and fostered an artistic legacy that blended Persian, Indian, and European influences. Unveiling the Court’s Creative Mastery At the heart of the exhibition are over 200 objects, breathtaking in both their beauty and their historical value. Visitors can expect to marvel at exquisite paintings, intricately illustrated manuscripts, luxurious textiles, vibrantly hued carpets, and dazzling objects crafted from mother of pearl, jade, rock crystal, and precious metals. Many of these treasures have been hidden from public view for decades, making this a rare opportunity to immerse oneself in the artistry of… Read More

A Golden Adventure awaits at the Australian Museum with new Machu Picchu Exhibition

21/11/2024

By Danielle Kirk

Sydney, prepare yourselves for a cultural gold rush. From November 23, the Australian Museum is rolling out its latest blockbuster, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. This dazzling exhibition is your passport to ancient Peru, featuring 134 priceless treasures from the land of the Incas and 14,000 years of history. Think glittering jewels, royal tomb artefacts, and a VR journey to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It’s more than a history lesson—it’s a time machine with all the bells, whistles, and human sacrifice relics you could dream of. Following the success of the Ramses Exhibition at the Australian Museum (fun fact, it became the highest grossing exhibition in the State’s history, selling over 500,000 tickets!), Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is created in partnership with Peru’s Museo Larco, Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon, and Neon Global, taking you on a journey through five ancient Peruvian empires, spanning over 3,000 years of rich history. Parts of the collection have only been shown in four other cities around the world, in fact, some of the artefacts have never left Peru before, and now we’re lucky to set sights on them in Sydney. Expect to see the most opulent Andean gold collection to ever leave Peru, intricate ceremonial masks, and objects that whisper secrets of long-lost rituals. For the tech-savvy explorers, the Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor VR experience will transport you above the clouds for a bird’s-eye tour of the legendary citadel. Guided by the… Read More

NGV Architecture Commission 2024: Home Truth by Breathe

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In a bold reimagining of Australian home design, Home Truth by Breathe has been announced as the winner of the NGV Architecture Commission for 2024. This captivating installation takes the form of a labyrinthine house-within-a-house, challenging the notion of ever-expanding home sizes in Australia. At the heart of this design is a powerful message: rethink how we build to create more sustainable, higher-quality, and community-orientated living spaces. Home Truth invites visitors to step into a space that questions the ethical and ecological ramifications of the sprawling, oversized homes that have become prevalent across the nation. An external frame mirrors the silhouette of the average Australian home, which, at 236 square metres, ranks as the largest globally. Nestled within this silhouette is a serene timber structure, representing a smaller, more sustainable living footprint. This juxtaposition of scales is not just an architectural statement but a call to action. By contrasting these two structures, Home Truth shines a light on how smaller, more considered homes could help reduce suburban sprawl, mitigate environmental impacts, and enhance community wellbeing. It is a thought-provoking invitation for audiences to consider alternative, sustainable housing models that could lead to positive lifestyle changes. Visitors entering through the expansive garage door of the larger house find themselves navigating a maze of rooms and corridors, eventually arriving at the intimate timber retreat. This wooden haven offers a space for meditation and reflection, presenting a tangible vision of a more sustainable housing future. Constructed from framing pine and Saveboard, Home Truth uses materials emblematic of current… Read More

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Suna Fujita, LOEWE & Melbourne Art Fair to exhibit works

14/11/2024

By James Banham

In an exciting fusion of art and fashion, Melbourne Art Fair has announced a groundbreaking partnership with LOEWE, the esteemed luxury fashion brand renowned for its dedication to craftsmanship since 1846. This collaboration brings to life an exquisite preview of Jonathan Anderson’s renewed partnership with the Kyoto-based ceramist duo, Suna Fujita, marking a world-first exhibition in Australasia. The LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection made its debut with an intimate showcase at LOEWE’s Melbourne Collins Street store, offering an exclusive viewing experience of twenty whimsical ceramic pieces. These delicate works, celebrated for their intricate hand-painted scenes featuring ocean creatures and cosmic animals, seamlessly blend artistry with everyday function, transforming accessories and ready-to-wear items into enchanting works of art. Fair Director Melissa Loughnan expressed her enthusiasm for this creative union, stating, “This partnership is a reflection of Melbourne Art Fair and LOEWE’s shared commitment to supporting living artists and creatives, and an exciting precursor to the 18th edition of the Fair, which promises to be one of our most dynamic and anticipated showcases yet.” The collaboration not only highlights the playful essence of Suna Fujita’s ceramics but also underscores the vibrant art scene that Melbourne Art Fair champions. Launching today, the LOEWE x Suna Fujita collection is available both in stores and online at loewe.com, continuing until 29th December 2024. This artistic venture paves the way for the 18th edition of Melbourne Art Fair, set to take place from 20-23 February 2025 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The fair will present a remarkable assembly of… Read More