Acca Podcast

Hear Western Arrernte artist Vincent Namatjira from Indulkana on the APY Lands, SA, talk about his new work 'Welcome to Indulkana' 2018 commissioned by ACCA for 'A Lightness of Spirit is the Measure of Happiness'. Recorded on Saturday 7 July 2018. Program made possible with support of Program Partners: Indigenous Languages and Arts Program, Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages, Presenting Partner Creative Victoria and Lead Media Partner The Saturday Paper. Further info: https://acca.melbourne/exhibition/a-lightness-of-spirit-is-the-measure-of-happiness/

Hear Western Aranda and Yankunytjatjara artist Robert Fielding from Mimili community on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, talk about his new work photographic, video and installation works commissioned by ACCA for 'A Lightness of Spirit is the Measure of Happiness'. Recorded on Saturday 7 July 2018. Program made possible with support of Program Partners: Indigenous Languages and Arts Program, Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages, Presenting Partner Creative Victoria and Lead Media Partner The Saturday Paper. Further info: https://acca.melbourne/exhibition/a-lightness-of-spirit-is-the-measure-of-happiness/

Western Arrernte artist Mervyn Rubuntja represented by Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Arts Centre with exhibiting artist Benita Clements speaks about the watercolour landscape painting tradition of Ntaria/Hermannsburg. Recorded on Saturday 7 July 2018. Program made possible with support of Program Partners: Indigenous Languages and Arts Program, Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages, Presenting Partner Creative Victoria and Lead Media Partner The Saturday Paper. Further info: https://acca.melbourne/exhibition/a-lightness-of-spirit-is-the-measure-of-happiness/

Hear Sydney-based Wiradjuri and Kamilaroi artist Jonathan Jones speak about his new work 'untitled (gidyirriga)' 2018 commissioned by ACCA for 'A Lightness of Spirit is the Measure of Happiness.' Recorded on Saturday 7 July 2018. Program made possible with support of Program Partners: Indigenous Languages and Arts Program, Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages, Presenting Partner Creative Victoria and Lead Media Partner The Saturday Paper. Further info: https://acca.melbourne/exhibition/a-lightness-of-spirit-is-the-measure-of-happiness/

Hear the introduction to ACCA's exhibition 'A Lightness of Spirit is the Measure of Happiness' from curator Hannah Presley. Recorded on Saturday 7 July 2018. Program made possible with support of Program Partners: Indigenous Languages and Arts Program, Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages, Presenting Partner Creative Victoria and Lead Media Partner The Saturday Paper. Further info: https://acca.melbourne/exhibition/a-lightness-of-spirit-is-the-measure-of-happiness/

Fiona Hall on Global Politics, Brexit and the EU: One of Australia’s best known contemporary artists, Fiona Hall is best known for extraordinary works that transform commonplace materials into vital organic forms with both contemporary and historical resonances. In this lecture, Hall discusses the climate of disunity and conflicts within the European Union, Brexit and conflicting ideas for society, drawing on research for a new work in development 'All along the watch towers' commissioned by the Domaine de Chaumont-sur-Loire, France. Recorded at ACCA on Monday 18 June 2018 Further info: https://acca.melbourne/program/uncommon-knowledge-fiona-hall/

Master of slapstick existentialism, Ronnie van Hout’s large scale sculptures, installations and photographs tread the line between humour and the macabre. In this lecture Ronnie van Hout discusses his lifelong interest in UFOs: exploring the truth behind flying saucers, alien abductions, and the future of planet earth in relation to art and feeling special. Presented as part of ACCA's 2018 Lecture Series 'Uncommon Knowledge: Artists on their special interests' presented by Abercrombie & Kent. Recorded at ACCA on Monday 21 May Further info: https://acca.melbourne/program/uncommon-knowledge-ronnie-van-hout-on-ufos-and-amateurism/

'Bill Henson: The Wilderness Within: The body as the last frontier' This talk by internationally renowned photographer Bill Henson launched ACCA’s 2018 lecture series, 'Uncommon knowledge: artists on their special interests', presented by Abercrombie & Kent. In this talk, Bill Henson explores his lifelong fascination with the human figure and the tension between representation, voyeurism, the gaze and the body. Recorded at ACCA on Monday 30 April

In cinema, Mexico City could be seen as a protagonist in its own right. As a central subject of many films, it has been given various roles throughout the history of cinema. In this lecture, Mexican-born, Melbourne-based film scholars Antonio González and César Albarrán-Torres explore the evolution of urban space and how it has been portrayed by a myriad of Mexican filmmakers, as well as by international contemporary artists. Illustrated with a range of examples by directors such as Luis Buñel, Alfonso Cuaron, Maria Novaro or Guillermo del Toro, the talk focuses on the tension between tradition and (post)modernity, social struggles and political upheaval, global cultural forces and local identity. Additional resources: https://acca.melbourne/exhibition/dwelling-poetically-mexico-city-a-case-study/ Recorded at ACCA on Wednesday 13 June

This event included a screening of works by Melbourne-based Mexican artist Diego Ramirez followed by a conversation between Ramirez and Anabelle Lacroix, ACCA’s Curator of Public Programs at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) at Federation Square, Melbourne. The screening included My superstar (2015), aXolotl’s Happiness (2014) and Postcard eXotica (2016). This event is presented in partnership the Australian Centre for the Moving Image as part of their ART+FILM program, as a parallel program to ACCA’s exhibition Dwelling Poetically: Mexico, a case study. ABOUT DIEGO RAMIREZ: Diego Ramirez is a Mexican-born, Melbourne-based multidisciplinary artist and writer, working primarily with video and pictures to develop installations for gallery contexts. His research based practise explores the legacies of colonialism in visual culture; the rhetoric of the image and concept of terror as a response to the ‘other’. Ramirez Often seeks to reconfigure vernacular archives and popular images that embod

Guest curator, Chris Sharp discusses the curatorial process developing and realising 'Dwelling Poetically: Mexico City, a case study' at ACCA (21 April–24 June 2018). Chris reflects more generally on the subject of curating, and in relation to his curatorial projects and co-direction of Lulu, a project space in Mexico City. ABOUT CHRIS SHARP: Chris Sharp is a writer and independent curator currently based in Mexico City, where he runs the project space Lulu with Mexican artist Martin Soto Climent. He has curated numerous international exhibitions, including most recently, Against Nature, co-curated with Edith Jerabkova at the National Gallery of Prague, 2016; A Change of Heart at Hannah Hoffman gallery, Los Angeles, 2016, and As if in a foreign country, at Galerie Nächst St. Stephan Rosemarie Schwarzwälder, Vienna, 2016. A contributing editor of Art Review and Art Agenda, Sharp was recently appointed co-curator (with Dr Zara Stanhope) of New Zealand artist Dane Mitchell’s presentation for the 58th Venice Bie

A conversation between 2017 winner of The Stella Prize Heather Rose and Dr Natasha Cica, with an Introduction from Executive Director and Co-Founder, The Stella Prize Aviva Tuffield. This event is presented by The Stella Prize with the Trawalla Foundation and hosted by ACCA in the gallery during the 2017–18 exhibition 'Unfinished Business: Perspectives on art and feminism'. Heather Rose is the Australian author of seven novels. Heather writes for both adults and children and her books have been shortlisted, long-listed or won awards for literary fiction, crime fiction, fantasy/ sci fi and children’s literature. Rose was awarded the 2017 Stella Prize for her novel 'The Museum of Modern Love', inspired by the life and work of the artist Marina Abramovic who appears (with permission) as a character in the book. Recorded on Wednesday 21 March 2018 Further information: http://thestellaprize.com.au/ https://heatherrose.com.au/ http://www.trawallafoundation.com.au/ https://acca.melbourne/exhibition/unfinished-bu

A conversation between Chief Political Correspondent, 7:30, ABC Laura Tingle and Chair of Trawalla Foundation and Pathways to Politics Advisory Committee member Carol Schwartz. This event is presented by The University of Melbourne, School of Government for the Pathways to Politics Program for Women with the Trawalla Foundation and hosted by ACCA in the gallery during the 2017–18 exhibition 'Unfinished Business: Perspectives on art and feminism'. Laura Tingle is a journalist, author, former Political Editor of the Australian Financial Review and current Chief Political Correspondent for the ABC's 7:30 program. The Pathways to Politics Program for Women based at the University of Melbourne’s School of Government is modelled on the Harvard Kennedy School program ‘From Harvard Square to the Oval Office.’ It is a non-partisan initiative funded by the Trawalla Foundation that will provide a select group of female University of Melbourne students and alumni with the skills and networks to reach elected office at

A conversation between academic psychologist Professor Cordelia Fine and Chair, Trawalla Foundation; Founding Chair, Women's Leadership Institute of Australia Carol Schwartz. This event is presented by the Women's Leadership Institute of Australia and The University of Melbourne and hosted by ACCA in the gallery during the 2017–18 exhibition 'Unfinished Business: Perspectives on art and feminism'. Cordelia Fine is an academic psychologist and writer, and described as "a brilliant feminist critic of the neurosciences". Her latest book, 'Testosterone Rex: Unmaking the Myths of our Gendered Minds', won the prestigious Royal Society Insight Investment Science Book Prize 2017, and was named an Amazon Best Book of the Year. Recorded on Wednesday 21 February 2018 Further information: http://www.wlia.org.au/ http://www.trawallafoundation.com.au/ https://acca.melbourne/exhibition/unfinished-business-perspectives-on-feminism-and-art/

As part of ACCA's exhibition 'Unfinished Business: Perspectives on art and feminism', ACCA presents Learning From Each Other, a special leadership and professional development seminar. This seminar set out to create a productive space for discussion and mentoring amongst a small group of arts administrators, curators and students to share experiences, unpack pathways and build networks. Convened and chaired by ACCA’s Executive Director, Linda Mickleborough and Senior Curator, Annika Kristensen with guest speakers: Charlotte Day: curator, writer and Director, Monash University Museum of Art (MUMA) Julie Ewington: curator, writer and broadcaster, co-curator of Unfinished Business and previously Head of Australian Art, Queensland Art Gallery / Gallery of Modern Art (GAGOMA) Genevieve Grieves: Koorie educator, curator, filmmaker, artist, oral historian, researcher, writer and Manager, First Peoples Department, Museums Victoria Patrice Sharkey: curator, writer and Director, West Space This program is supported

This is the fourth and final symposium in ACCA's Symposium Series 'Unfinished Conversations'. Convened by Vikki McInnes with guest speakers Janine Burke, Jacqueline Milner, Elvis Richardson and Gemma Weston, this symposium explores how gender bias effect the arts, and what the gender representation in national art collection tell us about our society. This symposium is introduced by Angela Goddard, Board Member, SHEILA, A Foundation for Women in Visual Art, and current Director of the Griffith University Art Museum. Recorded at ACCA on Saturday 17 March

This is the third symposium in ACCA's 'Unfinished Conversations' symposium series. Chaired by Wemba-Wemba and Gunditjmara artist, curator, academic and Co-Curator of Unfinished Business, Paola Balla, with guest panellists Maddee Clark, Neika Lehman, Kate Just, Nina Lykke, this panel discussion set out to identify and question the challenges of blak feminism and intersectionality today in Australia and more widely. Recorded on Wednesday 7 March 2018.

Next Gen(der) is the second symposium in ACCA's 'Unfinished Conversations' symposium series. This conversation invites young people to take over ACCA and explore the role and significance of feminism and gender diversity for the next generations. Members of Melbourne school feminist collectives, FHS Feminist Collective (Fitzroy High School), The Violet Fems (Eltham High School), TUHF: The Uni High Feminist (University High School), discuss why feminism is important to them, and challenge some of the works in Unfinished Business: Perspectives on art and feminism.

How are women, non-binary and gender diverse people represented in the media? What are the alternatives? Presented at MPavilion, this symposium explores feminist analyses and strategies in relation to the media, writing, new forms of publishing and text as form with guest speakers Brigid Delaney, Nayuka Gorrie, Natalie Thomas and Deb Verhoeven. This panel discussion launches ‘Unfinished Conversations’, a symposium series taking the form of collective discussions to unpack how feminism is critical and relevant today. * inclusive of non-binary and gender diverse people

Making dreams come true: A conversation with visual artist Maree Clarke How important is it to visualise your work coming to life? How well do you know your self, your history and your place in the world? Tai and Maree get pretty heavy and emotional in an electric conversation about making contemporary work from loaded memories and histories. They talk about how important it is to avoid being put in a box, seize opportunities and be true to your self and your people. Maree talks about how she uses her work to explore and tell stories of grief, belonging and perhaps most important of all, healing. Photograph: James Henry