All posts by Denver Mottau

Denver’s passion for music, cinema and the arts began at an early age when accompanying his grandmother in her rounds of the entertainment circuits - gaining exposure to Hollywood’s Broadway musicals. This education continued throughout his childhood as the heart-felt melodies of yester-year, and the fantasy of the Golden Years of Hollywood embraced our lives. Choosing a pathway that incorporated all aspects of Sydney lifestyle, Denver was able to make inroads with a variety of independent newspapers and publications to write about subjects of community interest. Over time, he had published a good many front-page stories, helping to overturn political decisions and make an impact on the local scene. What he has enjoyed most is researching areas of health and fitness, music, food and fashion to try and understand what excites the average Sydneysider in their lifestyle and interests. It becomes an on-going avenue of discovery, one that provides great ammunition for stories. Meanwhile, life goes on and the stage is set for reviewing the creativity in visual and performing arts. The challenge is ever present and the results most fulfilling!
Cultural Event

SYDNEY’S MARDI GRAS PARADE IS FAST APPROACHING

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The photo above is of Fiona Lowry with her subject and behind them is her actual painting, The title of the painting is – I dream in my dream all the dreams of the other dreamers . 2014. Acrylic on canvas. Fiona Lowry won the Sir John Sullivan Prize in 2014. Her painting is held in the collection of Dr Dick Quan Sydney and is currently on view at the National Art School, Darlinghurst in its Queer Contemporary gallery.

The week has been a fun-filled and colourful  one for the LGBTQI community, family and friends as they prepare for the centrepiece of their celebration, Sydney’s Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade on Saturday 2 March 2019.

Unlike any other celebration in Sydney, the iconic Parade is the most talked about and admired for its satirical takes on every aspect of controversy, be it political, social, religious or discriminatory.  This year’s  theme is Fearless – much about  living freely in the face of fear to combat all forms of discrimination.
The many bold and outrageous floats that go to make up this parade is the reason why so many people line the streets to witness this marvellous spectacle of colour and imagination. A stand-out demonstration of LGBTQI creativity personified!
All photos by Denver Mottau
Sydney Festival 2019, Theatre

COUNTING AND CRACKING @ SYDNEY TOWN HALL

COUNTING & CRACKING is a Sri Lankan story made into a powerful stage play about a family’s journey to remain united across countries, and across generations following a long-term civil war that claimed the lives of over 100,000 people.

It is an emotional tale about a family torn apart by the war, going back and forth in time to tell this story using an international cast of 16 actors from 6 countries playing four generations of a family. The play is performed in six languages and translated simultaneously.

Director Eamon Flack took up the challenge to work with playwright Shakthi Shakthidharan over a period of 5 years to make this production possible.

Shakthi researched the story of his Sri Lankan great grandfather and went to great pains to discover the truth about what really happened there over time. He eventually found out what brought his family to Australia and gradually began to grasp his own history in the making. The information was invaluable in piecing-together his roots, and developing this into a realistic story about coming together, and breaking apart. Continue reading COUNTING AND CRACKING @ SYDNEY TOWN HALL →

Sculpture

BIRDS AND ANIMALS IN BRONZE : A NEW EXHIBITION BY JANE DAWSON

Acclaimed Sculptor Jane Dawson with a glass of champagne leaning against her sculpture of the native bird, the Emu.

Australian sculptor, Jane Dawson brings birds, animals and human figures to life in her beautifully made and finely executed sculpture exhibition at Maunsell Wickes gallery in Paddington.

Over time, Jane has found the point of balance in her sculptures, capturing the `bush spirit’ and images of the various species that roam the globe in a well-defined array of bronze and copper art
pieces that impress.

Here is Dawson’s take on animals, man and nature, explicitly created as a compelling work of art with an integrity all its own. Continue reading BIRDS AND ANIMALS IN BRONZE : A NEW EXHIBITION BY JANE DAWSON →

Awards

FASHION STARS HONOURED @ 2018 FASHION LAUREATE AWARDS

The crème of Australia’s fashion-elite attended the 2018 Fashion Laureate Awards ceremony recently to honour individuals who have made a significant contribution to the growth, development and global promotion of this country’s fashion industry.

Designers, models and industry professionals graced the Australian Fashion Laureate red carpet at the State Theatre in Sydney to celebrate the 11th year of this gala event hosted by international supermodel Georgia Fowler and celebrated Aussie comedian Ash Williams.

It was a night to reflect on the achievements in Australian Fashion and acknowledge the outstanding accomplishments by individuals in different categories. Continue reading FASHION STARS HONOURED @ 2018 FASHION LAUREATE AWARDS →

Theatre

CHARLIE SHEEN IN SYDNEY

 

Hollywood actor Charlie Sheen made an appearance in Melbourne and Sydney recently on a popular speaking tour of Australia. Some Sydney fans paid as much as $1500 for a VIP Meet & Greet ticket to connect with the former Two and A Half Men star who holds a strong fan-base in Australia.

An Evening with Charlie Sheen hosted by Richard Wilkins gave Sydney audiences an insight into the actor’s career as he took them through some of the defining moments in the making of movies such as Platoon, Wall St, Young Guns, Major League and Hotshots. Sheen discussed his multiple roles as his career took shape as a youngster in Hollywood. Continue reading CHARLIE SHEEN IN SYDNEY →

Cinema, Cultural Event

ARE YOU READY FOR AN EVENING WITH CHARLIE SHEEN?

Charlie Sheen, one of Hollywood’s most unique and colourful characters is in Australia to talk about his interesting, but controversial life.  He will take over Melbourne’s MCEC on Saturday 3rd November before coming to Sydney to entertain audiences at ICC Darling Harbour on Sunday 4th November 2018.

Best known for his eight-year stint with the long-running sitcom Two and A Half Men, Sheen made his mark, and his rise to fame in a role that ideally suited his personality and acting skills. At the height of his career in 2010, Charlie Sheen became the world’s highest paid Television actor earning $1.8 million an episode.

However, in 2011 he was fired from the show after making derogatory comments about the show’s creator Chuck Lorre. From then onwards, it was a downhill plunge for the actor who somehow lost control of his life. Continue reading ARE YOU READY FOR AN EVENING WITH CHARLIE SHEEN? →

Visual Arts

FIONA LOWRY : THE TIES THAT BIND

Archibald Prize  winner Fiona Lowry’s intrigue with the Australian bush and the dark secrets it holds, along with the choice of her subject matter – vulnerable naked bodies airbrushed to form part of her aesthetic trademark once again becomes the nucleus of her creative efforts in producing a dreamscape of fantasy in a landscaped setting.

Here we have an artist who uses a skilled technique of airbrushing with a restricted palette of soft pastel colours to register her unique style that resonates with a dual paranoia of sensuality and menace. Often, her subjects appear to be falling over each other in a state of confusion or intimacy. Continue reading FIONA LOWRY : THE TIES THAT BIND →

Cinema

THE DELPHI BANK 25TH GREEK FILM FESTIVAL OPENS

Master filmmaker Pantelis Voulgaris kicked off this year’s 12-day Festival with the heart-rending drama THE LAST NOTE, an epic chronicle of one of the most significant moments of modern Greek history – the tragedy and brutality of Nazi occupation in Greece.

The film recounts the lead-up to the mass execution of 200 Greek prisoners of war in Chaidari concentration camp in retaliation to a Greek resistance ambush in Laconia claiming the life of a high-ranking German official and his escorts.

Based on the final note of one of its victims, this remarkable film portrays the dignity of men in the face of death, their companionship and loyalty. It depicts Greek tradition in keeping alive resilient spirits through song and dance, heroism and courage.

Andreas Konstantinou’s standout performance and Voulgaris’ expert direction THE LAST NOTE  was indeed an excellent introduction for Opening Night at Palace Cinemas, Norton Street on Tuesday 9 October 2018 and will run until 21 October 2018.

The Festival will showcase the unique perspectives and talents of modern Greek storytellers.  With 16 films including new offerings and old favourites, the Festival will screen at Leichhardt’s Palace Norton Street Cinema and Palace Central Sydney.

“We’re so pleased to celebrate 25 years of incredible Greek cinema,” says Festival Chair, Nia Karteris. “The talent in Greece is so rich and vibrant, and that’s really reflected in the quality of films we have in the program. There’s something in here for everyone—from the goofy, the dark, and the heart-wrenching.”

See the whole program and book at www.greekfestival.com.au

 

Visual Arts

PADDINGTON ART PRIZE 2018

Featured image – People’s Choice  and Sofala Cottage residency award winner Justine Muller.

The $30,000 national acquisitive prize for a painting inspired by the Australian landscape was announced at Menzies Art Brands in Kensington last Monday night. Sponsored by Marlene Antico, and now in its 15th year, the exhibition of finalists and prize presentations took place on the night.

With over 1200 entries received, this year’s judges, Katrina Cashman, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran and Tony Costa reflected on the cultural and professional significance of the entries in a contemporary art context. Continue reading PADDINGTON ART PRIZE 2018 →

Photography

CITY2SURF 2018 : SYDNEY CELEBRATES ANOTHER GREAT FUN RUN

Sydney celebrated its annual 14 km road-running event last Sunday with close to 80,000 entrants participating in what was regarded by many as the world’s largest fun-run.

It was a big day out for Sydneysiders who either joined the serious competitors in testing their endurance, or choose to walk the distance pushing prams or revelling in fancy dress.

This is one community event where the spectators offer every encouragement to participants both young and old, cheering-them-on and making it a very special outdoor activity to be enjoyed by all. Truly, a genuine sense of community was felt all-around. Continue reading CITY2SURF 2018 : SYDNEY CELEBRATES ANOTHER GREAT FUN RUN →

Photography, Visual Arts

BOOK LAUNCH AND EXHIBITION : MATT IRWIN’S ‘SYDNEY : A LOVE AFFAIR’

Award winning photographer Matt Irwin’s love and vision of Sydney prompted him to visually document the evolution of Sydney into the city it has become – one of the most iconic cities in the world.

From 1992 he photographed Sydney and watched it grow and change, capturing the evolution of its progress through his lens.

According to Matt, much of our impression of the world is through our eyes. What we can see and feel. Sydney is a visual feast – It truly is a photographer’s dreamscape. It offers rugged geography, globally recognised icons and street-level authenticity – all encapsulated together with good weather conditions and a life so well lived.

The goal of Irwin’s book was to capture all these elements. His photographic adventure spanning 25 years in the making is a curated collection of the epic to the hidden, from the natural to the built, from every day to the one-off. Continue reading BOOK LAUNCH AND EXHIBITION : MATT IRWIN’S ‘SYDNEY : A LOVE AFFAIR’ →