The Powerhouse has today announced a diverse program of masterclasses, performances, panel discussions and artist-led tours to celebrate the major new exhibition Eucalyptusdom.
Eucalyptusdom: Reawakening – Friday 28 January, 1pm (FREE)
Eucalyptusdom soundscape designer and ARIA nominated soprano/composer Jane Sheldon presents Equinox, inspired by Danielle Blau‘s poem, The Vernal Equinox Story. The intimate ceremonial performance also features soprano Anna Fraser and electronics.
Artist-led tours monthly commencing Friday 4 February – Friday 29 July, 1-2pm (FREE)
Monthly artist-led tours provide an opportunity to discover Eucalyptusdom from the perspective of curators and creative practitioners behind the commissioned works, commencing with Yasmin Smith.
Scent Masterclass – Saturday 14 May, 1- 4pm ($220)
Drawing inspiration from their commissioned artwork, Pyriscence: After Fire, artist Anna May Kirk and scent designer Ainslie Walker guide workshop participants to create a signature scent reflecting their personal interpretation of how climate change might affect the feel and smell of Australia in the future.
Artist talks and poetry readings – Thursday 3 March, 5-9pm (FREE)
Select artists featured in Eucalyptusdom discuss their practice and works, alongside a series of poetry readings curated by Running Dog featuring Jazz Money, Dave Drayton, Holly Isemonger and Luke Patterson. More details to be announced soon as part of the Powerhouse Lates program.
Lace workshop – Saturday 5 March, 1- 4pm ($70)
Working with the Powerhouse’s collection of lace – one of the most comprehensive in Australia – contemporary lace maker Lindy de Wijn leads a workshop inviting participants to create their own eucalypt leaf from bobbin lace.
EucFace Talk and Tour – Saturday 26 March, 10-11:30am ($20 – minibus provided from Richmond Station)
Part of National Eucalypt Day celebrations, an off-site event at Western Sydney University’s Research Facility EucFACE focuses on the eucalypt in a changing climate and the role of art and science in communicating the urgency of local and global action. Led by artist and filmmaker Vera Hong and Powerhouse Assistant Curator Nina Earl, the trip includes conversations with facility scientists and a tour of the site, a massive experiment that exposes large areas of native Cumberland Plain Forest to elevated levels of carbon dioxide – the levels we are expected to reach by 2050.
Honey workshop – Saturday 9 April, 1-3:30pm (FREE)
Beekeeper Doug Purdie from The Urban Beehive hosts an interactive workshop delving into how the plants bees feed upon influence the flavour of their honey. It includes a taste-test and demonstration with fresh honeycomb to illustrate the process of extraction.
Group poetry session – Wednesday 13 April, 2-3:30pm (FREE)
Wiradjuri poet Jazz Money (how to make a basket) leads a group poetry workshop for secondary students (aged 12-18) during April school holidays.
Sydney Writers’ Festival – Thursday 19 May, 6-8pm ($25)
More details of this special event examining eucalypts in literature will be included in the Sydney Writers’ Festival announcement on 24 March.
Natural dyeing workshop – Saturday 4 June, 12:30-4:30pm ($70)
Textile artist Nicole Barakat leads a natural dyeing workshop utilising readily available plant materials such as sage, turmeric root, hibiscus, pomegranate skins and showcasing accessible techniques that can be replicated at home to dye cloth and silk.
Eucalyptusdom book launch – Thursday 30 June, 5-9pm (FREE)
New commissions by performance art collective Dirt Witches and multidisciplinary contemporary artist Justine Youssef are unveiled alongside curated tours to celebrate the book launch of Eucalyptusdom. More details to be announced soon as part of the Powerhouse Lates program.