Reflections and refractions: DESIGN Canberra capturing the moment at Monaro Mall

Posted on 9 November, 2020

This November, DESIGN Canberra is aspiring to unite Canberrans in an ephemeral appreciation of artistic and architectural talent, enlightening locals about the marvels of design at our fingertips.

From their Festival Hub at Civic’s Monaro Mall, DESIGN Canberra festival will fuse historic architectural feats with contemporary artistic talent to encourage everyone to slow down, and look up as it sweeps the city from 9–29 November.

The reflection prompted by the numerous existential interruptions of 2020 has prompted an outpouring of new architectural and artistic products, as well as a renewed appreciation for works of the past. But first, they need a base.

The annual festival has consistently centres itself in a unique location within the CBD, and this year, it’s coming to the area right outside of Canberra Centre’s Monaro Mall. The location this year highlights the architectural design of Whitehead and Payne, who designed Monaro Mall in 1963.

More pertinently, the event has taken artistic inspiration from Frank Hinder’s Star Ceiling, a glass mosaic championing the intricacies of form, tone and colour refracted in light. The motivation to situate DESIGN Canberra in this historic space is to encourage Canberrans to reconceptualise familiar spaces, integrating design into the everyday—it’s also a handy COVID-safe outdoor gathering point.

Drawing on the festival theme of ‘care’, the pop-up hub promises us a space within which to slow down in this era of ever-accelerating change, and ignite conversations about the scope of human aspiration.

Wondering what there is to check out in this busting hive of artistic creativity? We’ve got you covered.

ARCH-HUB

Credit: 5 Foot Photography.

The ARCH-HUB has been designed to fuse feats of excellence in architectural design, education and craft. Displayed in demountable buildings in the CBD, the ARCH-HUB will showcase the 2020 ACT Architecture Awards winners, the University of Canberra architecture graduate projects, and other creative pursuits explored by local architects outside of their profession.

The intention behind the HUB is to showcase architecture of the present and future, in an exciting projection of the new and innovative talent complementing Canberra’s already diverse architectural scene.

The ARCH-HUB will also be home to a number of Meet an Architect talks, scheduled for November 10, 17 and 24.

There is also a speaker event with the 2020 ACT Presidents Medal Winner, Cassandra Keller scheduled for November 20, as well as a The Hand of an Architect event on November 27.

These talks are likely to be educational and inspiring, whether you are a budding architect, an established professional or simply want to know more about the industry. Make sure to check the DESIGN Canberra website for the pertinent details regarding booking and capacities, you’ll have to act quickly to secure a spot!

All month │ City Walk, Canberra ACT │ See designcanberrafestival.com.au/highlight/arch-hub for specific details about Architecture Events

Desiderium Installation

Hannah Quinlivan.

This year, the signature installation of DESIGN Canberra is Hannah Quinlivan’s Desiderium.

Described as a multi-layered, site-specific spatial drawing installation, Quinlivan’s work combines sound, light and movement to craft an experience representative of the ephemeral energy unique to Canberra’s CBD.

The intention behind Desiderium is to demonstrate the irreversible momentum gathering around the unravelling of our ecology, accelerated through the Australian bushfires and the epidemiological crisis of COVID-19.

Through demonstrating the fragility of human existence, Quinlivan seeks to create a collective consciousness through art attempting to reinvigorate public concern with preservation of our environment.

9-29 November │ City Walk, Canberra ACT │ Free

Desiderium Performance and Artist Talk

In conjunction with the Desiderium art installation, DESIGN has scheduled an artist talk and performance, deepening public connection with the art and its intention.

On Saturday November 14, artist Hannah Quinlivan will speak about her installation, detailing more about the purpose of the work. Following this, there will be an intimate performance showcasing the multi-modality of the piece, where classical vocalists will respond to the sculptural qualities and materialise the physical object into sound and movement.

There will also be a follow up artist talk on Monday November 16, if you can’t make the Saturday evening.

Saturday 14 November, 7:30-8:15pm │ City Walk, Canberra ACT │ $25 entry │ Book at designcanberrafestival.com.au/event/desiderium

Hannah Gason’s Graphic Intervention

Last year’s Graphic Intervention, Jodie Cunningham we dance together, Civic Square. Credit: 5 Foot Photography.

In addition to Quinlivan’s art installation, Monaro Mall will also welcome artist Hannah Gason to construct the Graphic Intervention, a mainstay of DESIGN Canberra each year.

This year’s Graphic Intervention is once again seeking to draw attention to Frank Hinder’s Star Ceiling, utilising shades of gold and yellow to hero the light which drenches the Canberran city. You can check this out throughout the duration of the DESIGN Canberra program, free of charge.

If you’re interested, Gason will also be running an Artist Talk on Monday November 16 from 12.30-1.15 pm. It’s a free event, but bookings are essential.

Artist talk Monday 16 November, 12.30-1.15pm │ City Walk, Canberra ACT │ Book at designcanberrafestival.com.au/event/artist-talk-hannah-gason

Wellbeing Programs

Credit: 5 Foot Photography.

In line with DESIGN Canberra’s commitment to slow down and embrace taking care of both self and surroundings, there will be multiple wellness classes running over the duration of the program.

On selected weekdays, DESIGN Canberra is encouraging Canberra’s patrons to rise and shine, meeting the day with a series of yoga, pilates and meditation workshops promising to leave you refreshed, energised and inspired.

Find the full wellbeing program here

ReNewYou

ReNewYou is a free trial program of activities such as Zumba, yoga or bootcamp, utilising public spaces to encourage movement and releasing of energy.

Running on Tuesday mornings from 7-8 am, these classes will utilise Garema Place to start your day off right.

Tuesday November 10, 17 and 24, 7-8 am│Garema Place│Book at designcanberrafestival.com.au/event/renewyou

City Sessions

The Pop Inn. Credit: 5foot Photography.

It wouldn’t be a Canberra event without everyone’s favourite, award-winning The Pop Inn wine bar. This November, The Pop Inn will be parked at the DESIGN Canberra festival hub on Friday November 13, 20 and 27, accompanied by live music from local Canberran talent.

Have a couple of drinks while admiring the art installations, listening to the soothing sounds of alt-country and folk artist Cathy Diver on 13 November, or the innovative sonic looping of Viktor Rufus on Friday 20 November.

As these events are weather-dependent, they are prone to cancellation, so make sure to double-check before attending.

Friday 13, 20 and 27 November, 4.30-6.30 pm │ DESIGN Canberra Festival Hub, City Walk │ Free event | designcanberrafestival.com.au/highlight/pop-inn-wine-bar

Stitch Meditations

From Wednesday 11 November to Friday 13 November, there are a series of 30-minute slow-stitching sessions at the David Jones entrance to the Canberra Centre.

Running from 7.30-8 am, these stich meditations aim to encourage contemplation while participants engage with the tactile practice of stitching.

It aspires to take participants to the inner garden of their mind, seeking to destroy weeds and plant new seeds.

Wednesday 11 November to Friday 14 November, 7:30-8:00 am │ David Jones Entrance to the Canberra Centre │ $10 entry │ Book at designcanberrafestival.com.au/event/tending-the-inner-garden-stitch-meditations

Lunchtime Workshops

Aboriginal Jewelry Workshop. Credit: 5 Foot Photography.

Across a series of weekdays, there’s a huge array of lunchtime workshops being held at the hub that are sure to spark your creativity.

Canberra Spinners and Weavers Inc. will be leading a workshop to teach Canberrans how to weave using different styles and techniques.

With the aim of encouraging individuality in design, each participant will leave the session with a small weaving either to keep or to gift. Whilst weaving, the leaders will lead discussion about weaving and its relationship to acts of care, promoting an hour celebrating the power of art to facilitate dialogue.

Or, perhaps you’d like to learn about the nuances of print-making, combining techniques of mark making, stamping, painting, drawing and collage to create a unique set of postcard prints perfect for gifting or to display in your home?

Riso is a stencil printing method, which fuses the principles of screen printing and photocopying to create a beautiful product. The intention of the Risograph program is to mirror the form, tone and colours within Frank Hinders ‘Star Ceiling’, continuing the appreciation for his craftsmanship.

However, if photography is more your thing, PhotoAccess is hosting an innovative artistic workshop, which uses a wide array of stencils, flowers, leaves and other small natural objects to create cyanotype images which are toned using tea.

Yes, you heard us correctly, tea is innovatively utilised in these workshops to bring colour to a work, which will leave you with an artwork intimately attached to natural materials and fibres.

Finishing off the month of artistic workshops is a soothing pinch pot meditation, which explores the ability of clay to centre and calm. Led by local ceramicist Fran Romano, the session promises an opportunity to leave your worries behind.

With sessions only being 25-60 minutes, it’s a perfect way to spend your lunch break, making the afternoon stretch a tad more bearable.

Risograph Printing 101 – Postcard Prints | Thursday November 19 and Friday November 20, 12.30-1.30 pm │ DESIGN Canberra Festival Hub, City Walk │ $60 entry │ Book at https://designcanberrafestival.com.au/event/lunchtime-workshop-risograph-printing-101-postcard-prints-2

Spinners and Weavers | Wednesday November 11 and 25, 12.30-1.30 pm │ DESIGN Canberra Festival Hub, City Walk │ $25 entry │ Book at designcanberrafestival.com.au/event/lunchtime-weaving-workshop-spinners-and-weavers

PhotoAccess Photography Workshop | Wednesday 18 November, 12.30-1.30 pm │ DESIGN Canberra Festival Hub, City Walk │ $25 entry │ Book at https://designcanberrafestival.com.au/event/lunchtime-workshop-photoaccess

Lunchtime Workshop: Pinchpot Meditations | Thursday 26 November, Session One 12.30-12.55 pm, Session Two 1-1.25 pm │ DESIGN Canberra Festival Hub, City Walk │ $25 entry │ Book at https://designcanberrafestival.com.au/event/lunchtime-workshop-pinchpot-meditation

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