The launch of Curious - exploring visual culture and creative thinking
Curious is a new programme of talks and events in Queenstown instigated by Kelly Carmichael. Kelly is the director of Starkwhite in Earl Street and has built up a solid curatorial background working in the contemporary art world across Europe, the Middle East and the US before returning home to Aotearoa–New Zealand. She’s launching the first Curious event on 3 December at Starkwhite Queenstown.
We asked Kelly what to expect and where the Curious idea came from. “I wanted Curious to be a platform that lets us explore the stuff that shapes our world, the important and the everyday, the serious as well as the quirky” Kelly reflects. “I’m deeply curious and always wanting to scratch the surface of something to find out more or encounter a new idea. I’m also missing the range of interesting talks and events that larger cities offer. If we continue to receive funding to bring speakers and events to this region I hope Curious will take the Queenstown-Lakes community on an exciting exploration of visual culture and creative thinking.”
First up is curator Robert Leonard, one of New Zealand’s most experienced contemporary art commentators. Alongside many curatorial roles, Leonard has curated New Zealand’s representation at Brisbane’s Asia-Pacific Triennial in 1999, the Sao Paulo Biennale in 2002, and the Venice Biennale – the art world’s Olympics – in 2003 and 2015.
Robert will explore how revolutionary images and concepts enter the mainstream. Talking about his 2018 City Gallery Wellington show Iconography of Revolt, which tracked the absorption of edgy revolutionary imagery and strategies into the mainstream, he will reflecting on the implications for art and curating. The revolution is earnest, serious stuff. But what happens when revolution and style are scrambled—when art, fashion, and popular culture look to politics for an edge, and when the revolution needs a look to advertise itself?
Leonard’s talk will take in Bolshevik sportswear and Black Panther propaganda, hacktivists and hijackers, stone throwers and balaclava wearers, Pussy Riot and the Ayatollah, Maoists in a Paris flat and a flower-power orgy in Death Valley, terrorists on the catwalk and university-recruiting videos.
Curious Presents Robert Leonard on Art and the Revolution: 4pm on Saturday 3 December 2022 at Starkwhite Queenstown, 1–7 Earl Street. Thanks to Queenstown Lakes Creative Communities for their support.
Follow @curious_nz on Instagram to hear more about upcoming talks and events, or email kelly@starkwhite.co.nz to go on the mailing list.
