“[The exhibition] is looking at technology and the human interface of technology. We’re all looking at a disgusting element or a point of seepage, where the organic, biological element crosses over in technology,” Josh said.

The exhibition focuses on being fun and playful, with robots throwing things around in all corners of the room. The large gallery space features moving, jiggling, leaking robotic installations, but the exhibition also has some deeper undertones.

“It’s an unusual way of presenting technology in contrast to the aesthetics of technology and progress that we normally get – we get the iPhone, the other robots running around and doing scary and intimidating things and we get beautiful pristine aesthetics of technology and everything is new and exciting about progress. This exhibition is looking at a very different angle of technology, with motivation, points of failure that are in opposition to that beautiful utopian aesthetic of technology that we normally see in advertising and the media”.

“Each of the individual artists have our own take on the relationship between technology and the human and this is the overlap of all of us looking at that question.”

All four artists met at COFA at UNSW and through conversation they realised that through their common interest, it would be very productive for them to work and collaborate together, with slightly different takes on the same theme.

Josh’s work, for example, inspired the name of the exhibition and includes a robot eating a chicken nugget. He has been looking at technology as a performative thing rather than simply a process of something achieving its goal.

“It’s got a big robot arm, you stick a chicken nugget in front of it, press a button and the arm picks up the chicken nugget and goes through the process of slowly digesting the chicken nugget after picking it up…It’s a nice and striking title for an exhibition which is along the lines of technology doing weird things.”

“Louise has this idea of the abject, the disgusting and biological with vivid colours. It’s within in its own coloured set but with an element of disgustingness to it, which fits quite well into the idea of another side of technology…she has some disgusting, overflowing fountains of dubiously coloured and smelling liquids…and it breaks down and becomes the artificial disgusting, the artificial organic.”

“Jason has an irreverent  take on a whole heap of different themes… He’s got a work which is a big sundry machine, which is pretty impressive.”

“Tully has been looking at the imbued life of technology, taking everyday things and giving them an uncanny spirit, an uncanny motion and activity to them, like the cheeseburgers that shake around,all sorts of interesting bits and pieces.”

“And then we’ve got collaborations between us in the gallery space as well.”

Overall the exhibition is very playful. Josh added: “If you’re looking at it through a theory-based side there’s something to get out of it but it’s also a very vibrant and exciting exhibition…it’s a fun show.”

Jason said First Draft gallery has a fantastic model in that they support emerging artist and because they aren’t commercial they give a lot of creative freedom to the artists. “They’re not looking to sell artworks so I don’t think we would have had the opportunity to do a show quite like this that’s so messy and fun in any other gallery,” he said.

‘A Robot Attempts to Eat a Chicken Nugget’ is showing until the 24th July at First Draft Gallery and they will be doing artist talks from 6-8pm on 23rd July. Head along to experience a fun, playful and thought-provoking exhibition that will resonate with kids and adults alike.

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The film festival kicks off nationally with the heartwarming comedy, Here is Harold, which shows the journey of a bitter old man who seeks revenge by trying to kidnap the founder of IKEA. Other handpicked films include RAMS, which received the top prize of Un Certain Regard as well as a 10 minute standing ovation at Cannes; the thought-provoking, coming-of-age film, Young Sophie Bell; and the hilarious holiday drama featuring an award-winning performance from Bodil Jørgensen, All Inclusive.  The Scandinavian Film Festival wraps up with an eye-opening documentary on one of Hollywood’s most beloved imports, Ingrid Bergman: In her Own Words.

Another highlight of the festival is the guest appearance from multi-talented actress, Bianca Kronlöf, who appears in the biting drama, Underdog. Kronlöf will appear for the opening night screenings in Melbourne and Sydney for exclusive Q & A sessions on the 10th and 11th of July respectively. We spoke with the star about the festival.

“The program is fantastic I have to say. As a Scandinavian to come here and see all the films that they got together is amazing. I hope that I will have time to see as much as possible. It’s actually weird as a scandinavian to come to Australia and be like ‘now I can see all the good Scandinavian films, this is amazing!’ It’s like travelling back to my roots through Australia.”

Miss Kronlöf said that the fact that more Scandinavian films are heading abroad is testament to the growth of the Scandinavian film industry. She said their point of difference to mainstream Hollywood films is their focus on the characters and their relationships.

“In Sweden we don’t do these huge action things. Of course we have these boring, mainstream movies that don’t say anything about anyone that are just there for people to watch when you’re hungover, which is a good thing we need those movies as well. And then the smaller, underground ones. But to compare Swedish films to Hollywood mainstream I would say that it’s more relationship based and about the characters.”

The Swedish actress also added: “Everyone should go to the Scandinavian Film Festival because it’s such a good program. So if you go, you can be an expert about Scandinavian films right now, because the program is so exceptionally good.”

Head to the Scandinavian Film Festival website for more information on the films and to buy tickets.

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A hundred and nine sculptures from a diverse selection of globally renowned artists now adorn the Sydney coastline. In this, its eighteenth year, the show’s organisers are touting the biggest ever exhibition. This is mostly because of the gigantic size of the many of the works, but it’s also due to overwhelming global participation: artists from sixteen different nations are competing to take the top prize.

The premier arts festival, which opened today, traditionally draws large crowds of visitors and locals alike. For eighteen days, the landscape undergoes a dramatic change. Along the Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk, visitors are treated to wonderful pieces peppered along their walk. The idyllic setting and tranquillity also makes for a top-notch picnic spot, so be sure to bring along your basket and blanket!

Some of the highlights from this year’s program include Geoffrey Drake-Brockman’s ‘Counter’ (which counts all those who walk though its arches) and ‘We’re fryin’ out here’ by Andrew Hankin (which presents a huge, giant sized fry-pan on the beachfront). There are plenty of other smaller scale sculptures as well, with topics ranging from overtly political to deeply personal.

Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, exhibition acquisitions manager Eleanor Cheetham discussed the real highlight of the program: “The best part is seeing the vibrancy of the audience,” she said. “Especially children, who interact so freely with the sculptures. We’re seeing a whole generation of kids feeling comfortable around artwork.” In the end, who could ask for more?

For more details regarding this splendid event, visit the festival website at www.sculpturebythesea.com. Enjoy!

The famous Martin Place Christmas Tree is the city’s symbol of fraternity and holiday spirit. Every year, the lighting of the tree is a wonderful event worthy of the whole family. On Thursday the 27th of November, the interactive Christmas Tree will turn on the lights, unleashing a spectacle of dazzling visuals and SMS-branches (guests can send texts across the branches of the fibre optic laden tree). This year, kids are given the chance to control the colour settings via an interactive-pad kiosk.

Those in the mood for a holiday season stroll will love the festive atmosphere of the Christmas Light Forest. Also kicking off on the 27th, the Christmas Light Forest is an intricate installation of lights and decorations hovering above the length of the Pitt Street Mall. Suspended trees and fascinating projections will turn the usually busy shopping precinct into a pause way for bewitched onlookers, so be sure to make it along!

All across the CBD precinct, usually buttoned-down shopfronts and buildings will be transformed. Digital projections will enliven even the quietest streets and offer an interesting take on the regular city space (for tourists and locals alike). This year, the Street Light Disco will also re-shape the promenade of Martin Place. The outdoor installation brings together the best in music, visuals and technology in order to create a truly once-in-a-lifetime event.

For more information on Sydney’s Yuletide events, visit the official website over at http://www.sydneychristmas.com.au/. Even though Christmas is still a while away, you can figure out your calendar and make sure the little ones have a truly merry Christmas!

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