issue 07 free canberra magazinemay - june 2012 1st anniversay edition

One year in and I have to say, I’m proud of you Canberra. 5 or 10 years ago I could never have imagined that designers could stay in this town and have the right opportunities. Now, it’s all here. 12 months of collecting its art and design has left us feeling optimistic about our little city.

Here at Wobble, I welcome our new writer Jess Oliver [who’s quickly become my hero]. And now Suzy Kay has taken charge of our art curation, Wobble is recruiting hard. Email Suzy: art@wobble.cc and keep an eye out, there will be competitions in graphic design, paint and digital art launched on the Wobble site in the coming months.

For the next issue, we are looking forward to meeting with the kids from the new blog ‘Daddy Issues’ for what looks to be an exciting collaboration.

Thank you all and see you in July.

Jen EdmundsWobble Design

wobble is printed on recycled paper

ContributorsAssistant Editor: Jess Oliver

Writers:Jess Oliver

Sebastian HarrisonEd Cooper

Curator: Suzy Kayart@wobble.cc

Art and Design Alice Carroll - Cover Image

Christian White Josh Sellick

Paul Summerfield George RoseHugo Burton

Christel HadiwibawaJeremy Wells Kathryn Scott

Places and SpacesA Bite to EatChifley ShopsThe Front

Wattle place, LynehamKnightsbridge Penthouse

Mort Street, BraddonMake Hack Void

Frencham Street, DownerNew Acton

Marcus Clarke Street, New ActonDirector

Jennifer Edmundshello@wobble.cc

feature//SIDEKICKSreview//PLEASE RESIST ME

review//ART NOT APARTartist//PAUL SUMMERFIELD

news//MAKE HACK VOIDreview//HE MADE SHE MADE

review//A BITE TO EATarchitecture//CANBERRA LABarchitect//JEREMY WELLSnews//KNIGHTSBRIDGE

WWW.WOBBLE.CC

CONTENTS

The comic book Created by Christian White and Alice Carroll.

Christian is a Melbourne-based writer who has self-published several comics and zines, but who now makes his living as a Video Editor at an adult entertainment distribution company… editing porn.

Alice is a Canberra-based freelance illustrator who has recently been working with the National Portrait Gallery on a pop up book and with a Japanese business creating a manga inspired game for learning English. She spends every day drawing, which is good for her soul but not her posture.

In 2010 they met on the artist-networking website redbubble.com, where they worked together on a horror comic called High School Carnivores. After being rejected by several major comic book publishers, Christian penned the first issue of Sidekicks, wherein the central character, Jeff, struggles with the rejection of his own comic book idea, a Punisher/Sopranos

crossover.

This black comedy follows the lives of three people who frequent a comic book store. Along with Jeff there’s Maggie, who is stuck in a bad relationship with a hipster, and Patrick, a high-functioning autistic man who seems to alienate everyone he meets.

After a successful launch in Melbourne last month and in Canberra at Knightsbridge Penthouse on May 3rd, Sidekicks #1 is officially off the ground.

Pick up a copy at Smiths Alternative Bookshop or Impact ComicsCheck out Christians comic-blog at://sorryforthisart.blogspot.com.Alice at://alicecarroll.net/

‘...Like crustaceanswe exchange our homes and change our populationspropagate and re-populate againwe are ever changingAsian, Eurasian, Caucasian – more patientThe more nations the more flavoursso please come down here and save us... ‘

Poet: Luka LessonReading Hijab [Lucky]

‘...Like crustaceanswe exchange our homes and change our populationspropagate and re-populate againwe are ever changingAsian, Eurasian, Caucasian – more patientThe more nations the more flavoursso please come down here and save us... ‘

The poet stands in front of me, framed by the branches of a 100 year old oak tree, ablaze with a projection of swirling colour. Stepping to the mic he lets forth a yell, a powerful yawp reverberating around New Acton’s courtyard. The brief silence that follows gives way to a fast-paced blues-inspired poem. This is Australia’s Slam Poetry Champion.

The atmosphere is intimate, with the crowd relaxing in deck chairs an arm’s length from a humble stage. MC’d by the charismatic storyteller Adam Hadley: the night flows with the heartfelt work of Melbourne’s Joel McKerrow, Alia Gabres’ intense social commentary and a special guest reading by Canberra’s Ellie Malbon [her second ever performance].

Finally a performance by Aus Slam Champion Luka Lesson leaves the audience stunned by quick fire rhymes and inspiring words. The cosy venue allows us to mingle with the artists, and it’s refreshing to find them as genuine in person as they were on stage.

The three poets of the Please Resist Me tour strive for community change through the power of poetry and literature.

Luka and Joel are the Co-Founders of the Centre for Poetics and Justice, working with marginalised youth //cpj.org.au/, Alia speaks out in //badassmuslimahs.tumblr.com/

By Sebastian Harrison//lukalesson.com/

//joelmckerrow.com///newacton.com.au/

‘...Made it?Maybe ‘made it’ has been overstated

Loaded locals pay migrant beauties to get ever more nakedLabeled as exotic in latex, Latina ladies lay loser lawyers loving their lives in

the Matrix

May tricks never be turnedMay her licks never be learnt

by any man who doesn’t hold her heart upon his main concern...’

‘...We have Indian engineers driving our cabs and genius’s placing placemats in their placesand they say that here we’ve made it...’

I am Here... the sky is the familiar blue of a March day in Canberra and all around me are people immersed in art, design, music and sunshine. In the NewActon precinct on a Saturday afternoon I’m walking through a broad spectrum of cultural activity: music, design, art, food…

Welcome to ‘Art, Not Apart’

When we arrived an energetic Samba performance was in full swing, with festive costumes and copious amounts of feathers. Poet Omar Musa took the latin-esque party vibe down a notch with his spoken word piece ‘My Generation’, an anthem of dissent, defiance and promise. The Canberra Symphony Orchestra performed the evolution of classical music, visually channeled by an onstage artist, and free films screened in the Kendall Lane Theatre accompanied by complimentary popcorn.

Art not Apart was organised by NewActon’s David Caffery and featured as one of over 40 events in the You Are Here festival this March. Co-produced by Yolande Norris, Adam Hadley and David Finnigan, You Are Here showcases local talent and encourages Canberrans to explore their city.

Yolande explains how the transient nature of Canberra

can lead to a lack of ‘shared history’, for example the loss of the irreplaceable bar, Toast, formerly tucked away in Rabaul Lane. Here, Rabual lane hosts the B-Ball Band Bash, a fierce basketball league pitting local bands Super Best Friends, The Ellis Collective, Waterford and Fun Machine against each other.

Aiming to bring life to the city, the audience of YAH can never be underestimated. Yolande tells of two elderly ladies sitting for the duration of the experimental sounds of the ‘Lunchbox Listening’ session in Garema Place, thoroughly enjoying it. These two ladies exemplify YAH: the courage to try something new.

Everyone who was involved with, or actively consumed

this years festival helps reinvigorate and add vibrancy to the city we all love to hate. Next year is the Centenary of Canberra, Art Not Apart and You Are Here will be back to challenge your sensibilities, provide free entertainment and encourage you to be an active agent in this pretty alright town.

words by Jess Oliver photo credit: Josh Sellick

//newacton.com.au/ //youareherecanberra.com.au/

Stuff latte art, I’m holding the best looking cup of coffee I’ve ever seen. My Roasters take away cup is printed with a fantastical digital painting created by Paul Summerfield.

The cup’s artwork is inspired by the intricately detailed artwork “Garden Metropolis” and the café itself.Paul’s black and white works depict incredibly detailed surrealistic landscapes you can stare at for hours and still find new creatures, machines and impossible plant life.

He has been in the vanguard of the Canberra arts, you might have seen his work projected on institutions during the Enlighten festival this year or at the ANCA exhibition WALL WORKS late last year.

Paul’s latest exhibition ‘Sky Aquarium’, runs until the 21st of May at The Front Gallery/bar in Lyneham.

by Ed Cooper

Cities adrift as trawlers fly60 cm x 42 cmArchival paper

Limited edition of 10

$550.00

Digital PainterPaul Summerfield

MAKE HACK VOID

Whether you’ve heard or not, Hackerspaces are a global phenomenon. Nothing to do with computer related crime, Hackerspaces are makerspaces, community workshops.

In an old mechanics school on Frencham St near Dickson, a group of people with extremely diverse interests now share a rad new workshop, access to tools and a wealth of knowledge.

The place is full of robots; there’s also a welding bay, fiberglass moulds, a home made 3D printer and a 7ft space marine. But don’t worry, it’s 2012, it’s cool to be a nerd.

Says Angus Gratton [founding member] who I spoke to at a Make Hack Void ‘maker-meet’ one Saturday. About 20 people gathered around a table, speaking about their projects, drinking beer and eating pizza.

Stay tuned, Wobble will be watching this place.

Jen Edmunds

Hackerspace: MAKE HACK VOID

At HMSM - Hugo Burton, ‘Fiume’, manilla rope, glass fibres and resin.

At HMSM - Christel Hadiwibawa, ‘P2’, bamboo, concrete

‘The community started fairly small but we’ve grown steadily since then, as people stumble on us and find some common interests. We really provide two things - one is a physical workshop facility, and the other is a community, for anyone who likes to make things of any kind.’

Graphic Designer George Rose

Make Hack Void:Frencham St, DownerJoin or take a visit //makehackvoid.com/

Dis-heartened with rental rates in Sydney, designers Patrick Chambers, Laura Kepreotis, Bent Patterson and Maaike Pullar drafted an application to the council in November 2011, were offered the location in December and managed to create a beautifully polished shop fitout in time for January. Now with their second exhibition well under way, HMSM is a proven success story.

With empty shop fronts creating a ghost town throughout Canberra’s city centre, it would be no stretch of imagination to see the opportunity for a few motivated designers to take the hint and follow in what is now a well-trodden path.

If you get to the big smoke be sure to wander into the Oxford st gallery, you’ll find an impressive representation of Canberran designers with the likes of new comer Hugo Burton in with Josh Carmody, Christel Hadiwibawa and more.

by Ed Cooper

He Made She Made//hemadeshemade.com

hello@hemadeshemade.com70 Oxford St, Darlinghurst

More information about the program://cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/cityart

//renewnewcastle.org/.

Object SpaceHE MADE SHE MADE, Oxford Street

Like Renew Newcastle, City of Sydney [CoS] has opened up some choice real estate to creatives and subsidised the rent. The four designers of He Made She Made have snagged an incredible location [butting up next to American Apparel] on Oxford St and opened up a one of a kind gallery space curating works that sit on the border between art and design: creative works that have an aspect of utility. A showcase of artists and designers working in furniture, sculpture, lighting and the in-between

‘We opened our doors for the first time on 31st January 2012 – after a whirlwind and speedy fit out and curation… We have had an over-whelming response… our opening night attracted around 600 people’

At HMSM - Christel Hadiwibawa, ‘P2’, bamboo, concrete

It’s like having lunch at your grandma’s house… your chef grandma that is… who also happens to live on Melbourne’s Brunswick Street. Locally sourced fresh ingredients, organic and free-range used where possible, it’s... delicious.

With an ethos of real food, sustainability and community, the cafe is also active in the local arts community. It recently donated it’s facilities to the ANU School of Art for a fundraising night to assist 3rd year painting students enrich their education in New York. The cafe hosted the event “Homemade Jam” held as part of the Woden Alive festival last November. Visit on any Sunday to enjoy live music from 5pm.

Opening eight years ago, A Bite To Eat absorbed the shop next door, doubling in size despite the logistically tricky location of chifley shops. In 2010 it changed ownership and was purchased from its loving creators by Peta, Jeff and Tony. Born and bred Canberrans, this cafe is Peta and Jeff’s first foray in the hospitality

“Like sitting in your grandmothers lounge room without the mothballs”

business and they love it. Head Chef Tony has travelled the world, eating and creating all kinds of culinary delights. With years of experience under his belt Tony ensures every dish served is unique and quirky.

A Bite to Eat takes a down-to-earth approach to its dining. Co-owner Peta explains:

“A Bite To Eat is a different kind of café...trying to satisfy more than a biological need for food.”

A Bite To Eat treats all its customers as welcome guests, and enjoy serving good food to polite, friendly people. As manager Matt puts it: “Trust us, we know what we’re doing...sit down and relax!”

Monday 8 - 5Tuesday 9 - 5Wednesday 8 - Late (Pizza Night)Thursday 8 - Late (A la Carte Dinner)Friday 8 - Late (A la Carte Dinner)Saturday 8 - 5Sunday 9 - 8 (Live Jazz from 5pm)

//abitetoeat.net.au/ reviewed by Jess Oliver

Photo Credit: Josh Sellick

A collaboration between Canberra Lab and artist Kathryn Scott, brings Walter Burley Griffin back to Canberra in a series of ‘Dear Marion’ installations throughout the city.

‘Dear Marion’ intends to engage with the city and its inhabitants. Walter will appear throughout the city, in critical and novel locations, sometimes offering critique, sometimes offering solutions.

Collage and overlay are critical concepts, the proposals put forward by Walter naturally occur in the underutilised ‘gaps’ of the city (the lake, public land, verges, alleyways, top of buildings).

Passers-by are encouraged to interact with Walter, (‘friend’ him on facebook / chat to him on twitter) and thereby question the assumptions about our city and its workings.

//canberralab.com

In a moment of clarity, Walter agrees and returns to Canberra. Finding himself alone amidst a strangely foreign landscape, his thoughts turn to the love of his life and co author, his

Dear Marion.... Canberra Lab

Street Critique

…bike enthusiast, and bamboo extraordinaire.

Drawn in by the possibility of creating environmentally sound structures, Jeremy graduated from UC in 2009 with a Masters of Architecture.

On exchange in Japan and through travels in China he was seduced by the potential of bamboo, with its unique aesthetic and impressive strength to weight ratio.

“The problem with most buildings is their inability to adapt- they are demolished not because they are no longer structurally sound, or visually appealing, but because they are no longer able to meet the needs required of them”

Exemplifying the importance of adaptability are the large tripod-esque structures Jeremy constructed out of bamboo at the old Belconnen Interchange. Featuring bamboo spheres, the three-legged structures were designed with the ability to be attached to any surface where their shape would reform accordingly and structural stability would not be compromised.

In Japan Jeremy was inspired by the way interior spaces could be reconfigured:

“Japanese houses are generally much smaller than ours” he explains “so by moving the Shoji [sliding paper screens] according to the season the result is an efficient use of space with a focus on renewal”.

Jeremy is interested in the idea of ‘urban intervention’ by temporarily reconstructing an urban space in a way that adds interest, encourages interaction and inspires a sense of constant renewal. This is particularly relevant in highly planned cities such as Canberra.

An intelligent, down-to-earth and highly creative architect, Jeremy has recently returned to Canberra to work on private commissions and is keen to start building his structurally clever and visually striking temporary structures out of all sorts of materials.

Jeremy WellsArchitect...

by Jess Oliver

Open to new concepts, collaborations and commissions Jez can be reached at://jezeme@gmail.com//jeremyyongsonwells.carbonmade.com/

Knightsbridge Penthouse turns 9... In 2003 the site that was once an odd little gothic themed bar called Mortis was reborn as Knightsbridge Penthouse. Decked out in an eclectic Berlin/London/lounge bar look with one giant white ‘tear drop’ shaped vase. Since then ‘Knighty’ has evolved into one of the best cocktail bars in Australia.

One can get away with a t-shirt and thongs or a black tie dinner suit. The cocktails are creative and come flamed with orange rind, the bar staff are funny, the place is homey – that is if your home is lined with graffiti, paintings and

designer furniture from some of Canberra’s greatest artists.

With the coming year, new manager Peter Thomson promises change: new cocktail menus, website, interiors but also some guest appearances of the old-school funk and soul DJs that were part of the business’ original success.

After a long history of investing in local art, it was the team at Knighty that worked with us to launch Wobble a year ago.

Birthdays have always been a big event at the Penthouse, with themed shenanigans. This June will see KB breaking

out the disco with a Studio 34 themed birthday.

/ / knightsbridgepenthouse.com.au

by Suzy Kay

9th