Five Things You're Allowed to Do at Underbelly Arts Festival This Year

Probably one of the most fun, interactive and accessible events on Sydney's cultural calendar, Underbelly Arts Festival will be kicking into gear on the first weekend of August (but they're letting you into The Lab from July 22). Dedicated to providing a platform for early career artists, this biennial showcase is all about amplifying the bold new voices of Australian art.

Featuring over 100 artists, the festival will be a colourful patchwork of thought-provoking installations spread across Sydney’s industrial playground, Cockatoo Island. “The island is filled with possibility,” says artistic director Eliza Sarlos. “And I think it will continue to do so because every artist brings their own unique skills and imagination to the spaces.”

From investigating artist studios to visiting a bar that serves air, to stuffing your face with Mary's and throwing shapes at an art party after a long day's exhibition exploring, there's plenty of indulgent adventures to be had this year at Underbelly — here's a sneak peek into what you're allowed to get yourself into.

STUFF YOUR FACE (AND MIND) SILLY

The Underbelly team is acutely aware of the relationship between artist and audience. And this year, they've cooked up an even bigger program to get your mind cogs moving.

In addition to art, music and performance, there will be plenty of delicious noms from your favourite food providers — think inner-west all-stars such as Mary's, Rising Sun and Young Henry's — curated by Sydney foodie, FBi Radio presenter and The Unbearable Lightness of Being Hungry founder Lee Tran Lam. You can also look forward to a kickass art party smack bang in the middle of the weekend.

SEE ART BEFORE IT'S READY

Prior to the festival on August 1 – 2, the exhibiting artists will finish creating their works in an intensive two-week-long residency or The Lab. “One thing that excites me about Underbelly is what happens before the festival,” says Sarlos. “We have all the artists from different disciplines in the same space together. It’s that exchange that happens when people are creating under the same roof, side by side.”

The Underbelly ethos is primarily forward thinking, showcasing art practices that dwell on the consequences of our current moment. “Art has this wonderful capacity to present versions of tomorrow and perspectives on what the future should hold,” says Sarlos. “I think Underbelly is in a great position to facilitate that. It's a precarious time for the arts, so it's important to have those opportunities to pause and reflect.”

The festival also provides a laboratory to conceptualise solutions to the big issues. This has spawned a number of socially and politically engaged works. For instance, Emily Parsons-Lord is developing a bar that serves air. Yes, you heard correct. You will literally be served samples of air. Her work, The Arrariam, is concerned with the history of air and the impact of human development.

MAKE A BUNCH OF NOISE

Alongside the visual art offerings, there is a stellar music and sound program planned. “It’s really exciting to be presenting music in an art context because I don’t think it happens enough,” says Sarlos. “It’s rare that you’re in an environment where you have access to art, music and performance. One thing I love about the festival experience is that there aren’t those arbitrary lines.”

From sonic sculptures through to serene acoustics, there will be a whole bunch of technologically innovative sound installations to experience. “We have the amazing Lucy Cliché (Lucy Phelan) recording a piece specifically for one of the bunkers on the island,” says Sarlos. “Getting to hear it in the space it was designed for will be quite special.”

Saturday evening will be packed with punchy beats and danceable tunes. The art party lineup will feature Cassius Select, GUERRE, Austin Buckett, Megan Alice Clune and Softwar, to name a few. The Goodgod Karaoke House Band will also make an appearance, inviting festivalgoers to warm up their vocal chords and soak up some good ol' nostalgia.

BRAG ABOUT NEW INTERNATIONAL ART YOU JUST LEARNED ABOUT

For the first time, this year’s program will include a cohort of international artists. And as the festival spreads its wings, Sarlos believes it’s never too soon to reach overseas. “We’re definitely here for early career artists and I think that’s true for international artists as well. What is interesting for me is building networks with people across the world. I think there’s no reason to wait until you have a blockbuster to create those connections and opportunities.”

UK sculptor James Capper is one of the foreign artists climbing aboard. He will be unleashing a number of earth-marking machines to crawl across the island and create their own compositions. “Even though it was developed in the UK, it’s funny how strongly this work resonates with industry driven and mining obsessed Australia,” says Sarlos.

ADDRESS THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

With recent government cuts, it's a bleak time for emerging artists attempting to carve out a career or simply pay bills. But simply by attending Underbelly Arts, you'll be supporting said artists and inevitably getting into heated debates over a cider at the end of the day about 'the state of things'. Thinking about this unsteady and uncertain future, Sarlos is a keen campaigner for visibility across every level of art-making.

“I certainly don’t advocate against the major art institutions — there’s an important role for them to play,” she says. “Art offers such a beautiful ecology of people creating at different stages — everyone benefits from what everyone else is doing. If you lose the support mechanisms or the access points for audiences to see work from the new generation you miss the opportunity to develop sustainable careers.”

Underbelly Arts Festival runs August 1-2 at Cockatoo Island, with The Lab running July 22-26. Check the website for more details or to lock down tickets.

Images: Underbelly Arts, Prudence Upton, Lucy Parakhina, Rafaela Pandolfini, James Capper.