Category Archives: LFW Your Canberra

Innovation and Technology meet at CRAFT ACT

Embracing Innovation Volume 6, by the LFW team

What happens when artists and specialists from technical and academic fields embrace innovation? Magic; that’s what!

Ten examples of wonderful collaborations are being exhibited now at Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre. Embracing Innovation Volume 6 is truly fascinating with some projects involving up to 15 artists and experts.

One example is a Lego-like, hands-on assembly educational toy, designed to help Australian children learn Japanese. It’s the result of a cross-disciplinary research project involving a linguist and industrial designers. The result is rectangular 3-D printed paper pieces imprinted with images, Japanese words and phonics. Using colours to guide the sentence structure, the pieces simply click-and-connect; making learning fun.

Silk Scarves

Also inspiring is the work by Canberra-based textile artist Jennifer Robertson. If you look closely at Jennifer’s scarves, you’ll see that they have thin lines of stainless steel running through them. Jennifer has hand-woven the scarves on a digital loom. While the mention of stainless steel conjures up images of a hard, heavy and rigid matter, the scarves are soft, light and warm. You can shape them in any way around your body or create your own sculpture to display at home.

Felt clutch

The artists and specialists behind the works displayed are from various counties including Australia, Canada, England, and Japan. Young fashion designer Tamara Efrat is from Israel, and she’s teamed up with experts from the School of Computer Science at Hebrew University to create patterns using computer algorithms. She then uses traditional smocking embroidery and parametric tools to create thick felt clutches and handbags based on the patterns.

Jenny Judge, who has lived in the southern and northern hemispheres, uses photogrammetry to create sculptures reflecting geographic formations in Whistler, Canada, and Matapouri, New Zealand. She walks in nature, tracking topography and then scans it onto the computer. Next she manipulates it; 3D prints sculptural shelves, and sets on the shelves colourful cast-glass objects.

This is the sixth in an annual series hosted by Craft ACT. Mel George from Craft ACT, who curated the show, says each display is an intriguing example of innovation in the creative arts, focusing on craft and design.

Embracing Innovation Volume 6 Exhibition

is on now until 27 August and is not to be missed.

FASHFEST’s Magnifik Music!

Leave a reply

By the LFW Team.

FASHFEST has always wowed guests with live music. No piped in music for this red-carpet, fashion event. That would be too easy, and boring. The music lineup recently announced for the 2016 show (29 Sept to 1 Oct) is nothing short of magical.

Magnifik – Ashley Feraude

FASHFEST’s Director of Music, Ashley Feraude, who many may know as the talent behind the magnificent Magnifik, has outdone himself this year, pulling together many musical firsts for the three-day fashion event, with tunes covering a variety of genres from roots, soul, electronica, disco, and house. In 2016, FASHFEST features 25 DJs and live musical acts in total.

Some acts are returning, like high-energy Mondecreen and internationally renowned rapper Tak-Un-Da, who will both launch extended play singles at the event. Fourteen new musical acts are making their debut and more female artists will perform than ever before.

Ashlee McKenzie

Highlights include sister DJ duo, DJ Dimple and Lipgloss, who will play their very own ‘Soul Sister’s’ set. DJ Ashlee McKenzie, one of Canberra’s favorite party providers, will keep guests entertained. DJ Nico Lupo arrives from London to perform his first major Canberra show. This prolific artist has played across five continents and put on more than 150 global parties from London to Barcelona and Ibiza to India.

A three-piece band, led by Canberra-based soul, funk and RnB musician, Simon Anua, will perform, as will singer songwriter and solo acoustic performer NeonHoney. The person behind the alias, Chantelle Milin, sings from the heart and takes you on a sparkling journey.

“The musicians have been hand-picked for the way their individual talent aligns with the themes of each of the six shows,” says co-founder of FASHFEST, Clint Hutchinson. “With FASHFEST, the music is a major component and so critical for bringing the fashion to life.”

NeonHoney

FASHFEST’s emphasis on music is no surprise, as the event has always billed itself as more than a catwalk show. FASHFEST is a total fashion experience, offering a much broader creative scope, including through original films, stunning sound and lighting, as well as amazing hair and makeup.

This year, FASHFEST is three nights and six distinctive shows from 29 September to 1 October. Tickets go on sale soon so keep your eye on social media.

http://www.fashfest.com.au

Understanding the Black Box

Leave a reply

Life, walls and houses, by Wendy Johnson

In the presence of one’s home. Judi Elliott. Glass. H 30 cm. x W 18cm. 2014. Image credit: Rob Little. Never been shown in Canberra.

It’s hard to imagine that the Aussie invention, The Black Box, used to record every nanosecond of an aircraft’s flight, has inspired beautiful pieces of art created out of glass. Canberra artist Judi Elliott, has been inspired by this flight data recorder. Her new solo exhibition—Black Box: Life, walls and houses—showcases how this piece of complex technology can be seen as a metaphor for life. Black Box: Life, walls and houses, on now at Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre, is a ‘must-see’ exhibition.

Judi is a distinguished and highly acclaimed glass artist. She’s ‘one of ours’, working quietly out of her studio in the suburbs of Canberra. Judi was the very first glass graduate from the School of Art (now Australian National University) Glass Workshop. That was in 1984 and the artist has been practicing for more than three decades, with her work included in prestigious Australian and international collections.

(Two small houses) Judi Elliott. On our Street 1. Height 19cm x 19cm. Cast cut and assembled glass.
On our street 2, Height 19cm x 15cm. Cast, cut and assembled glass. Image credit: Rob Little.

Black Box: Life, walls and houses includes colourful, three-dimensional houses Judi has created of glass. For Judi, the houses reflect ‘life’ and the phases we all experience as we grow up, love, get educated, work, gain experience and move.

Photo by Edge Light Photography

Judi was inspired to create this themed exhibition after pondering what The Black Box is, what it does, and how it works. Hailed by many as one of Australia’s top 10 inventions, the box records from take-off to landing. It begins its cycle again on the next journey. For Judi, this is very much akin to the cycle of human life. Judi is also inspired by our relationship with the built environment, especially the work of architects. Her colour palette is vibrant and The Black Box is represented in this exhibition by black dots appearing in the glass.

Judi’s creative process is fascinating. She produces full-scale drawings and then cuts individual pieces of glass to size from each one. Judi next uses her signature, technical glass style to cast, cut, fuse and assemble each house. Judi is a 2016 Hindmarsh Prize finalist and has been an Accredited Professional Member of Craft ACT since 1999. She’s exhibited her work in Australia and overseas since the 1980s.

Photo by Edge Light Photography

“Judi is a trail blazer who was in the first intake into the glass workshop established by internationally renowned glass artist Klaus Moje at what is now the ANU School of Art,” says Rachael Coghlan, Chief Executive Officer of Craft ACT. “Under Klaus, she learned kiln-formed glass techniques, which she’s been working with and adapting since.”

This exhibition was curated by Mel George, Curator Craft ACT, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the craft and design sector and more than a decade in curating exhibitions and mentoring emerging artists and practitioners. Mel is also an award-winning glass artist.

Also on now at Craft ACT is Embracing Innovation Volume 6, an annual curated showcase which this year captures innovation in the creative arts. It showcases international, national and local designers. Lostfourwords will write about this exhibition soon, so stay tuned.

Photo by Edge Light Photography

Both Black Box: Life, walls and houses and Embracing Innovation Volume 6 run until 27 August and are free to the public. Visit Craft ACT’s brand new website, which includes opening hours.

NATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE WINS TOP AWARDS!

Leave a reply

By Wendy Johnson

It’s a place where the nation meets. It’s held 229 events, meetings and conferences in the past 12 months. Its kitchen team dishes up gala dinners for up to 1,400 guests. And in a year, it’s contributed more than $60.6 million into the Canberra economy. It’s no wonder that the National Convention Centre Canberra picked up two top awards at the 2016 Australian Hotels Association (AHA) ACT Hospitality Awards held earlier last week.

The awards were for Best Meeting and Events Venue and Best Restaurant Cookery Employee (both General Division). They’re the latest in the growing list of awards being regularly won by the Centre, which also include a prestigious Australian Tourism Award.

If the National Convention Centre Canberra has done anything over the past few years, it has worked hard to boost its position in the highly competitive national and international convention centre market, bringing as much business to the capital as it can. The ripple effects are impressive for Canberra, with guests of injecting funds into the accommodations, hospitality, tourism and retail markets while here.

The AHA Best Meeting and Events Venue Award—the second year the National Convention Centre Canberra has won this category—celebrated the Centre’s services and facilities, which include an auditorium with 2,460 seating capacity, four tiered-seat theatres, an exhibition hall, ballroom, and workshop rooms.

It also celebrated the major renovations that have brought a new look and feel to the Centre and provide a stylish backdrop that suits the caliber of events it holds, including, in 2016, FASHFEST for the second year in a row.

“The $5.4 million in funding over two years from the ACT Government to improve customer experience has created tremendous opportunities for us,” says Stephen Wood, General Manager. “It also provides great opportunities for Canberra as a whole.”

The renovation project has delivered new carpet, upgraded the star dressing room, reception, foyer and conference office, and other projects to be completed by the end of 2016 include upgrading digital signage and other technical and security components.

Nikhil Jain, Executive Chef

Best Restaurant Cookery Employee Award went to Nikhil Jain, Executive Chef, who has worked in Australia, India and the UK for some of the best hotels in the world. Nikhil’s team of 10 designs creative culinary experiences showcasing all Canberra has to offer, including award-winning produce and wines. He team scored 90 per cent on guest satisfaction in 2015.

Mouth-watering mains

The Centre also runs a sustainable kitchen, processing organic waste, using certified sustainable fish, recycling fryer oil, managing food wastage (including through vermicomposting) and providing rescued food to OzHarvest. The kitchen has been recognised five years running by the ACT Government for Actively Recycling.

“The strength of team members was integral to the Centre winning two top awards, as was the Centre’s commitment to being very much a part of the Canberra community,” says Stephen. “We don’t operate in isolation here. We support the local community in a myriad of ways and are proud to be part of the capital’s innovation and growth.”

This thinking holds true of the Crowne Plaza Canberra, which along with the Centre, is part of global Intercontinental Hotels Group. The Crowne Plaza was also a multiple winner at this year’s AHA awards, taking out four awards—Outstanding Community Service and Achievement, Best Restaurant Service Employee (Accommodation), Best Front of House Employee and Best Environmental Practice.

Other 2016 AHA ACT Hospitality Award winners include:

Best Hotel Restaurant: Monster Kitchen & Bar, Hotel Hotel

Best Wine List: Mezzalira

Best Restaurant: Pomegranate

Best Meetings and Events Hotel (Accommodation): Hyatt Hotel Canberra

Best Local: The George Harcourt Inn

Best Mid-Range Accommodation (3-3.5*): The Brassey Hotel

Best First Class Accommodation (4*): Little National Hotel

Best Superior Accommodation (4.5*): QT Canberra

Best Deluxe Accommodation (5*): Hotel Hotel and Jamala Wildlife Lodge

Scouting for FASHFEST film makers!

Leave a reply

By Wendy Johnson

Ever since it appeared out of nowhere, FASHFEST, Canberra’s most stylish red-carpet fashion event, has been a major platform for amazing talent from many creative industries. It might seem that the spotlight shines solely on fashion designers and their glamorous new collections, but those who have attended FASHFEST know it offers a much broader arts and culture experience—did we mention it’s also a great social night out?

The Activist; directed by Nicky Tyndale-Biscoe

This year, FASHFEST’s fourth, is no exception. And the call has just gone out inviting filmmakers to apply to produce six original short films, reflecting the still-kept-secret themes for 2016. This is an amazing opportunity for filmmakers to stand tall on the FASHFEST platform and showcase their work in front of the event’s large and diverse audience, which includes VIP and national and international guests.

The award-winning co-founders behind By George Studios, Robb Shaw-Velzen, ASC, and Georgina Jenkins, are throwing their support behind selected filmmakers, sharing their wealth of experience and guidance where needed. By George is a major FASHFEST sponsor.

The Cartographer; directed by Hew Sandison

“FASHFEST is a great opportunity to develop and showcase local talent,” says Georgina. “The short films add another layer to the guest experience so we’re looking for filmmakers who will push boundaries with strong, original concepts. Each film must link the FASHFEST theme to Canberra, inspiring the audience to see Australia’s capital in a new light. And each film must feature a music track provided by one of the official musicians selected for this year’s event.”

The Engineer; directed by Hanna White and Laura White

Applicants must be over 18 years of age. They’ll be judged on a range of factors, including strength and originality of concept, interpretation of theme, and strength of their team. “Preference will be given to Canberra region filmmakers,” says Georgina.

Selected filmmakers will receive $1,000 cash from FASHFEST to use for production. The ACT Screen Industry Association is saving filmmakers’ money by providing public liability insurance and also giving a year’s membership for free (valued at $550). Catering—important during long filming days—is by Fresh2Go (CIT Student Association).

FASHFEST 2016 will host six shows, each curated around a theme. “This means those struck by FASHFEST fever, who won’t be able to resist attending more than one show, are guaranteed a unique experience each time,” says FASHFEST co-founder Clint Hutchinson, who created FASHFEST with his wife Andrea.

The Inventor; directed by Jimmy Ennett

The creative brief for the shout out to filmmakers is on the FASHFEST website. Get those cameras in action now!

Applications close Monday 18 July.

Images from FASHFEST 2015 which ran four themes; The Activist, The Cartographer, The Engineer, and The Inventor.

Breakfast at Edgar’s

Leave a reply

Here’s another great place for a weekend brecky! On a very cold and very wet Saturday we bagged the last table inside to enjoy our first visit to Edgar’s Inn! By Aine Dowling

Edgar’s Inn – image Edgar’s

I haven’t been to Ainslie in years, but since a recently enforced visit I decided it was a great little shopping centre (especially the IGA) and have been waiting for an opportunity to try out Edgar’s Inn which always appears to be packed to rafters, and here’s why:

One—they have GF and vegan options
Two—they have a great outdoor seating area that even keeps you dry on the wettest of winter days
Three—the service is fast
Four—they have an all-day breakfast—at least I’m assuming that’s what ‘til late’ means.

Edgar’s Eggs Benny – photo LFW

The Saturday we were there was no exception to the ‘packed to the rafters’ status even though it was less than 10 degrees celsius and absolutely bucketing down rain, the place was literally chockers both inside and out. The standard weekday breakfast menu is not extensive but offers enough variation on each individual dish to give you more options to choose from, and includes sweet choices granola and pancakes, as well the usual savoury favourites. The weekend menu has much more on offer and the prices are very reasonable compared to what you might pay in the city.

The main menu provides a choice of snacks and share dishes, salads, burgers, classics such as steak, and fish ‘n’ chips, and desserts—though sadly not GF, and there’s a good wine list.

We ordered Eggs Benny with bacon, a freshly made juice, and pot of tea. The service was fast and friendly, and the Eggs Benny was brilliant and generous with the eggs done to perfection, nice wilted spinach, and plenty of bacon, plus two pieces of toast. The only downside, and this applies to most cafés I’ve visited, is the tea. Why do they think it’s OK to charge around $4.50 for a pot of hot water with a teabag? Seriously, is it so hard to provide real tea? I’d willingly pay a bit more to see an infuser in my teapot.

Outdoor seating – image Edgar’s

Edgar’s also caters for the sporting fans among us with footy nights (all codes). For those not into sports, get down there on Sunday afternoon for some great acoustic music by local groups and bands. Bookings are essential on the footy nights, and probably a good idea anytime on the weekend.

Edgar’s Inn, Ebden Street, Ainslie. Open Mon-Fri 7am – ’til late, weekends from 8am – ’til late.

Canberra’s Sustainability Efforts Awarded!

Leave a reply

By Wendy Johnson

It goes unsaid that we all need to do our bit for the environment, to enable Canberra to become an attractive, sustainable city. Some local businesses popped the cork for their green efforts at last week’s Actsmart Business Sustainability Awards. And they deserve to be as proud as punch for their achievements. Even those that didn’t take out the top gong were applauded. Every business present at the awards had worked with Actsmart to make positive change—including recycling and reducing energy and water use—with many saving significant money along the way.

The stories were all inspiring and I couldn’t help but wonder what the capital could achieve if every single business, no matter how large or small, signed up to become accredited through Actsmart.

More than 1000 businesses have already done so, benefiting from direct ACT Government support. Actsmart’s many services are described on its sustainability hub (actsmart.act.gov.au) and include free tools, guides, tips, training and even rebates of up to $5,000 for certain activities. Support also includes free onsite inspections by experts who then write reports with recommendations on how to improve recycling or energy and water use. Business is a focus but Actsmart also covers what can be done at home, school and in your community.

Mooseheads

This year, 12 businesses won top awards across eight categories and five were highly commended by Simon Corbell, Minister for the Environment and Climate Change. So what exactly did some winners do to make it to the ‘top of the class’?

Minimising waste was a big ticket item. By erecting free Actsmart information signage and training staff, Barmco Mana Partnership now only sends a tiny 3 per cent of its waste to landfill—amazing for a building consultancy that handles some pretty big projects for some pretty big clients. I bet I send more waste to landfill than that from my household and I live alone!

Mooseheads, a bar in the city, first implemented full recycling services, including plastics, glass and organics, and then embarked on a journey of staff education. Mooseheads now recycles 32 tonnes of waste each year, diverting 86 per cent of its waste from landfill.

Canberra Balloon Spectacular

Festivals and events naturally generate massive amounts of waste, especially one the size of the Canberra Balloon Spectacular which attracted 40,000 visitors in 2016. Organisers and guests recycled their little hearts out, collecting an amazing 714 kilograms of mixed recycling, 153 kilograms of organics, 148 kg of cardboard and 30 litres of cooking oil. Can you imagine?

Canberra Balloon Spectacular – photo by Martin Ollman

Energy and Water Star awards went to two organisations that had implemented saving initiatives and reduced consumption through efficiency upgrades, staff behaviour change and/or innovative projects. One such business was the Smith Family, which received a $5,000 rebate from Actmart to upgrade its heating and cooling system. The upgrade will lead to an annual energy saving of $6,500 and 20 tonnes of CO².

Small businesses with less than 20 employees are making big gains, like Cheeky Chicken Early Learning Centre in Hughes, which donates pre-loved clothes to needy babies and children. It hosts tours of its sustainable building to local children, showcasing its water harvesting, recycling and energy production management.

From small to large, the United States Embassy took out a corporate award for its green initiatives. The embassy is the first diplomatic mission to receive Actsmart recycling accreditation (calling all other embassies and high commissions—get on board!). Staff not only go green in the embassy itself, they encourage the expat community to get involved. The embassy has a lamp recycling collection program, a ‘turn it off’ light campaign, includes all staff (even the Ambassador) to complete Actsmart training, issues a bi-weekly newsletter to Embassy staff and families with greening tips, holds brown bag lunch presentations on environmental best practice and much, much more.

More from Canberra Balloon Spectacular by Martin Ollman

Another winner in this category was Brema Group. Even though some of its building sites generate a whopping 6,000 tonnes of rubble, Brema manages to send only 3 per cent to landfill. Office and management staff also ‘walk the talk’ by sending only one shopping bag of waste to landfill each month from their office. Again, I bet I generate more waste to landfill from my own home!

So here’s the big tip of the day. If you own a business, get smart and talk to Actsmart. Chances are you’ll save heaps of money, get a quick return on investment, be a better corporate citizen and help the environment along the way. Who could ask for anything more?

www.actsmart.act.gov.au

Treasure Trove in the City!

Leave a reply

By Aine Dowling

Last year we visited Trove when they were at Gold Creek and one of our comments was that if you didn’t know it was there you wouldn’t find it … Well, it seems Trove thought that too because now they’ve relocated right into the city centre and are upstairs in Garema Place. The space is also about twice as big as they had in Gold Creek, and they’ve expanded their profile to include two well-known Canberra fashion designers—Sovata, and Dissonance.

Hats and headpieces by Sovata

Trove is a collective (or cooperative) of fashion, jewellery and accessories, aromatherapy candles, kids clothes and toys, homewares, and art. If you’re looking for something special, or a wee bit different, you’ll definitely find it a Trove!

Polished wood and aromatherapy by Wood and Wax

The collective is currently made up of around 16 designers and artists each of whom take turns to ‘man’ the shop for a day and when we visited it was Michael from Wood and Wax. “It’s great to have a bigger space,” said Michael, “and it also means we can look for more designers and artists to join the collective. When we were at Gold Creek we only had about eight members, but now we’re able to expand to around 25 or so, and we’re definitely interested in seeing applications from more local artists and designers.”

Soft furnishings from Blue Radish

The quality of the arts and crafts at Trove is exceptional. From the beautifully polished woodwork from Wood and Wax, through the jewellery and accessories, gorgeous homewares from Blue Radish, and the stunning glass art from Elena’s Canvas.

Stunning painted glass by Elena’s Canvas

“Our only criteria for membership is that it must be locally designed and made,” says Michael, “and members have to commit to working in the shop for a day (about once every three or four weeks), and join for a minimum of three months. But, joining the collective means the rent is shared, so the more members—the cheaper the rent! Plus, there is no commission on sales, so the designer gets 100 per cent of the sale.”

Fashion by Dissonance

Next time you’re in the city take a trip to Trove.

Interested designers, artists, and crafters can apply for Trove membership via their website.

Photos by LFW.

Double good at Double Shot!

Leave a reply

We’re on the hunt for the best Canberra breakfast! And Double Shot, with its GF, DF, and Paleo options, is certainly up there! by Aine Dowling

Double Shot is tucked away at Deakin Shops but on a sunny Saturday in May it was packed to the rafters with brunchers and lunchers both inside and out.

We managed to score a cosy corner booth for our family of four, and were left alone to peruse the menu. Monday – Friday the breakfast ends at 11.30am, but on the weekend it’s on all-day which makes for a very busy café from around 10am onwards. The menu is extensive and includes light breakfasts such as Bircher Muesli, toast with various spreads, Granola with coconut cream, and various egg dishes. The lunch menu is more substantial with fish ‘n’ chips, burgers, pasta dishes, risottos, and a great selection of healthy salads to which you can add your own protein, or not. All basic salads are vegan, gluten free, and dairy free—until you add the protein.

Paleo breakfast

We ordered three Eggs Benny with bacon and spinach (one with GF toast), and one Paleo breakfast which included eggs, bacon, mushrooms, spinach, tomato, and avocado and also came with the option of GF toast. You could also have the Eggs Benny with smoked salmon or ham hock.

I’ll be honest. It was rather a wait, but that said the water was constantly topped up, the wait staff were friendly and attentive, and one member sipped on her second (free!) soy latte while we waited. And, when I say the café was busy, it was really, really busy! But not so noisy that you couldn’t have a conversation.

Eggs Benny

The eggs were cooked to perfection. The Hollandaise sauce was just right—not too light but not too creamy, and a generous serve, but if you like your bacon ultra-crisp (we don’t, but some do) you probably need to ask. We were left to linger. We weren’t rushed, and we could have taken our time and had more coffee … and the café was still packed.

One great feature of this place is that most dietary requirements can be met and the slices and cakes are mostly GF or DF, and some even sugar-free, and I can highly recommend the salted caramel slice. There is also a great range of cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and organic teas.

Coffees, cakes, and smoothies

Double Shot, Shop 7 Deakin Court, Deakin. Weekdays 7am – 5pm; weekends and public holidays 7am – 4pm

Images by LFW

No Waste—No Worries

Leave a reply

When we’ve finished the last drop in a plastic milk carton, we don’t hesitate to chuck it in the trash. It is, after all, useless waste. Or is it? By Wendy Johnson

Niklavs Rubenis sees value in plastic milk cartons, and food tins and worn out clothing (sometimes ripped or torn), and he uses these existing materials to create new and meaningful objects. A local designer-maker, Niklavs gives milk cartons and tins a second lease on life by making them into functional lighting—like the ones showcasing in the Crafting Waste exhibition now on at Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre.

While Niklavs lives and breathes design, he’s more interested in the broad impact it has on the world. “We need to work in new ways, think in new ways and interact with the world in new ways,” says Niklavs. “The world is consuming itself very quickly. As a designer, I have to ask if I need to buy new materials to create with, or if there’s another way.”

This new body of work sees Niklavs, also a lecturer at the School of Art at the Australian National University, reverse the design process. “I’m trying to work in a more responsible and aware manner because there’s already too much ‘stuff’ in the world,” he says. “I start at the end and work in reverse to anew.”

This philosophical approach also sees Niklavs create anew from items he randomly stumbles across, like the rusted metal bench frame he picked up while driving his ute one day, which he has transformed into a new piece of furniture that will last for many more years. Niklavs used old floorboards and wood from a bookcase, warped and split from rain, to construct a new seat for the frame. This innovative piece is also featured in Crafting Waste.

LL Bench Seat, Niklavs Rubenis, Found objects and materials. Photographer: Halie Rubenis.

It may come as a surprise, but waste is a growing issue right here in the capital. Our population is growing so we produce more waste. We love to have the latest and greatest and so discard items, including televisions and computers, without thinking of what this does to the environment, and we lead busy lives and so opt for wasteful purchasing, such as single-use containers. But is it the right way to go? Niklavs doesn’t believe it is.

Craft ACT’s new Chief Executive Officer, Rachael Coghlan, says Niklavs is part of a new wave of practitioners in Australia using craft to make strong statements on social issues. This is also reflected in another exhibition on now at Craft ACT. Aesthetics in the Time of Emergency, features new works by five Melbourne glass-based artists who share a common vision around environmental issues requiring our attention, such as climate change and nuclear disasters.

“Australia’s contemporary craft culture is transforming,” says Rachael, who brings more than 20 years’ experience working in national cultural institutions to her new role. “These artists have all created beautiful works, applying their skills and using materials to tell stories. It’s exciting, eye-opening and well worth exploring.”

Craft ACT, London Circuit

Both Crafting Waste and Aesthetics in the Time of Emergency run from 27 May to 9 July at Craft ACT: Craft and Design Centre. They’re free to the public. www.craftact.org.au

LFW MAGAZINE

never lost for words

Category Archives: LFW Your Canberra

Innovation and Technology meet at CRAFT ACT

FASHFEST’s Magnifik Music!

Understanding the Black Box

NATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE WINS TOP AWARDS!

Scouting for FASHFEST film makers!

Breakfast at Edgar’s

Canberra’s Sustainability Efforts Awarded!

Treasure Trove in the City!

Double good at Double Shot!

No Waste—No Worries