Hidden Sydney: Sebastian Goldspink’s Top Five Secret Spots
A local curator reveals his real insider Sydney stuff: the hideaways that have always been just around your corner.
Sebastian Goldspink was born and raised in Kings Cross, Sydney. In 2011, he opened ALASKA Projects in an abandoned mechanic's office in the basement of a Kings Cross Car Park.
In its first year of operations ALASKA Projects has shown the work of over 100 artists, and is committed to showcasing emerging art in disused or under-utilised spaces. In December 2012, ALASKA Projects will tour its first exhibition internationally to artist run space Good Children in New Orleans, USA.
In 2011, Sebastian was asked to speak as part of Creative Sydney's lecture series of Australia's most influential image makers. He regularly contributes to panels as a speaker, most recently as part of the SAMAG panel ‘Thinking outside the white cube’. As an administrator, Sebastian has worked for various organisations including the Biennale of Sydney, MCA, MoNA, and now, in his current position, Art Month Sydney.
We asked him to tell us about his five favourite spots in Sydney that are a little off the beaten path: the hideaways that have always been just around your corner.
1. Garden Island
Board the Watson's Bay ferry from Circular Quay and casually tell one of the ferry guys that you wish to get off at Garden Island. The ferry will make a stop just for you and chances are you'll be the only person getting off. On Garden Island you'll find a cafe and some of the best views of Sydney Harbour, and there is also a strange little naval history museum. Great to take visitors to Sydney.
2. 21 Espresso Double Bay
Since 1958 this Double Bay Jewish soul food emporium has been serving up amazing Hungarian food to homesick Eastern Europeans and their children, grand children, great grand children… I like the gypsy platter for two, the lemon pancakes, the mish mash coffee, the sides of creamed spinach and, when I'm sick, the matzo ball soup dusted in paprika.
3. Domain Car Park Travelator
The longest moving walkway in the Southern Hemisphere is hidden underground between St Mary's Cathedral and the Domain Car Park. Super scary at night. You can pretend you're in Luc Besson's film Subway.
4. Woollahra Library, Double Bay/Bellevue Hill
Amazing library in Bellevue Hill with beautiful gardens and grounds right next to the glamourous Seven Shillings beach and Redleaf pool. Wander around the gardens which are filled with great hidden areas. Fantastic for kids. Take a swim at Seven Shillings beach or year round at Redleaf pool.
5. Alaska Projects
Hidden within the Kings Cross car park, Alaska Projects is a contemporary art space built in a disused mechanics workshop. The space has a busy program of exhibitions of Sydney's top emerging artists as well as interstate and international artists. Alaska also holds regular music nights and film screenings and is embarking on a theatrical program.
Upcoming at ALASKA:
Anything, Everything and One Other Thing (Parts 1-5)
Curated by Tom Polo
Featuring Dan Bell, George Egerton-Warburton, Leahlani Johnson, Kenny Pittock and Kate Smith.
Exhibition Opening: Wed 25th Jul 6-8PM. Continues from Wednesday 25th July to Sunday 5th August.
alaskaprojects.com
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