Cementa_13

Overview

Kandos, located one hour’s drive north of Lithgow, underwent an identity crisis last year when its cement works, responsible for producing much of the mortar that holds Sydney together, closed down. Early this February, however, forty artists will descend upon the tiny town, transforming its vacant post-industrial spaces into artistic extravaganza Cementa_13.

Empty shop fronts will host 3D installations, community venues will act as cinemas, an abandoned school will turn into an art gallery. You can expect sound and video art, live performance and poetry recitals. Daily walking and cycling tours will also provide an opportunity to become intimate with both the town and the artworks. The artists intend to depict, question and explore Kandos’s rich heritage and shifting identity in the context of its contemporary changes.

Accommodation options are varied, from bed and breakfasts, to hotels, to camping grounds; however, you might be wise to book in advance. Take care, too, if you’re planning to travel by public transport: the bus connecting with the Lithgow train travels only once or twice a day. Car shares there and back are being hooked up on Facebook.