This weekend check out Taipei’s biennial, enjoy some great seafood in Sydney, and listen to the the new EP from US band Dum Dum Girls.
1. ART: TAIPEI
—Taipei Biennial 2012
This weekend sees the opening of Taipei Biennial, Taiwan’s eighth instalment of its international exhibition promoting contemporary art, held by the Taipei Fine Arts Museum. Head curator this year is Berlin-based Anselm Franke and the theme is entitled Modern Monsters / Death and Life of Fiction, inspired by the ancient, vicious mythical Chinese monster Taowu. Featuring 47 international artists and artistic collectives, the biennial will be accompanied by a series of “mini-museums” – conferences, performances and workshops taking place in locations throughout the city.
Taipei Fine Arts Museum, 181, Sec 3, Zhongshan N Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City. Open Tuesday to Sunday 9.30-17.30, Saturday 9.30-20.30. Closed on Monday. Until 13 January 2013
taipeibiennial2012.org
2. FILM: LONDON
—Knoll and Matter: Redefining Visual Communication
This Saturday in London, design firm Knoll is celebrating the work of groundbreaking graphic designer and photographer Herbert Matter. As part of the Knoll’s ongoing Saturday series of exhibitions there will be screenings of Reto Caduff’s film The Visual Language of Herbert Matter as well as a film by the man himself entitled Works of Calder – all in celebration of the Swiss-born “designer’s designer” whose use of photomontages helped define the trajectory of 20th century graphic art.
91 Goswell Road. Screenings of The Visual Language of Herbert Matter at 11.00 and 14.00; screenings of Works of Calder at 12.30 and 15.30
knoll.com
3. FOOD: SYDNEY
—The Sailors Club
Recently opened at Sydney’s Rose Bay Marina is The Sailors Club offering a traditional menu in a contemporary, minimal dining space. With a choice of fresh seafood including sugar-cured ocean trout with dill dressing and brioche and hearty house staples such as the Three Cut burger, the cobalt blue and canary yellow trim of the furnishings give the restaurant a bright airy feel. After dinner drinks can be enjoyed in the Port Side bar with picturesque views of the marina.
594 New South Head Road, Rose Bay. Open Monday to Friday 12.00-00.00, Saturday, 11.30-00.00, and Sunday 11.30-23.00
thesailorsclub.com.au
4. DESIGN: LJUBLJANA
—BIO. 23: Biennial of Design
The 23rd edition of Slovenia’s biennial of design just started in Ljubljana, organised by the Museum of Architecture and Design. Curatorial duties were handed over for the first time to Margriet Vollenberg and Margo Konings, founders and directors of Dutch consultancy Organisation in Design. The duo selected works from over 437 entries from 38 countries for the main exhibition, which is accompanied by a rich calendar of events organised throughout the city. Check out The City Speaks at the National Museum of Slovenia, a show investigating how cities inspire and influence individuals and communities.
Tuesday to Sunday, 10.00-18.00, Thursday to 10.00-21.00. Until 11 November
bio.si
5. MUSIC: GLOBAL
—Dum Dum Girls – End of Daze EP
Dum Dum Girls’ steady progression from lo-fi secret solo project of frontwoman Dee Dee, to fully-formed band has taken onboard the best of 1960s pop up until now. But the US band are passing into slightly darker territory, with the almost synthetic back beats of the End of Daze EP’s closer “Year In Hell” recalling The Cure at their mid-1980s poppiest. This five-track between albums stop-gap also features a cover of fellow 1980s heavy make-up enthusiasts Strawberry Switchblade. So expect a 1990s sound within a couple of years.
End of Daze is available to buy now
wearedumdumgirls.com
