Seven Unexpected Things You Can Do at Sydney Contemporary

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If you think Sydney Contemporary — a biennial international art fair held at Carriageworks — is only for art lovers with Chanel suits and investors with hedge funds, think again. Sure, 75 respected galleries from all over the world will be exhibiting (and selling) some of the best contemporary art money can buy, but you will also find an entire program of more affordable (and just as impressive) art on offer.

It's made even more accessible by the presence of Art Money, an art loans program for works priced between $750 and $20,000. And if you want to leave commerce out of it entirely, look to addendum program Sydney Art Week, which is scattering art happenings throughout Carriageworks and its surrounding suburbs. Here are seven things you can do at Sydney Contemporary as well as browse the artwork.

EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH LOCAL PALETTE

What do Young Henrys, Mary’s, Bloodwood, Food Rascal, 212 Blu and Gelato Messina all have in common? They are all delicious highlights from Sydney’s home-grown food and beverage scene? Well yes, but here’s another fun fact. These local favourites are all coming together to create Local Palette, a pop-up bar and restaurant in the Elston Room at Carriageworks for the duration of Sydney Contemporary.

And while you’re at it, why not try some art that you can actually eat? As part of the broader Sydney Art Week program, Art and Dine brings Sydney establishments like The Apollo, Longrain, Cho Cho San and Riley St Garage into the mix with special offers. Wash them down with an artist-designed cocktail — 2014 Archibald winning artist Fiona Lowry has paired with a mixologist to create Pink Frost, a sumptuous cocktail being served at Sydney Contemporary’s favourite bars and restaurants across the city.

LISTEN TO THE SOUND OF PLANTS GROWING

The grand cavernous spaces at Carriageworks inspire and demand so much more than art in its traditional two-dimensional form. That’s why Sydney Contemporary also includes 18 immersive, interactive and site-specific installation art works by Australian and international artists for you to discover as part of their Installation Contemporary program.

From the monumental to the elusive, Sydney Contemporary will basically be an art playground for adults. You won’t be able to miss towering large-scale works by Callum Morton and Gregor Kregar, but also be sure not to miss the almost invisible work by Mylyn Nguyen – a painstakingly rendered troop of insects that quietly inhabits a spot below the ground.

Conversation with Plants will get you interacting. Created collaboratively by ceramic artist Simon Reece, music producer Darren Seltmann and artist Vicky Browne, the work invites participants to stand under a huge suspended pod as ceramics and electronics surround you to capture and amplify sounds made by nature, giving you a sensory experience that transforms perceptions of self and space.

BAR CRAWL THROUGH REDFERN

The official Opening Night on Thursday, September 10, transforms the fair into an immersive, all-encompassing night of art, music and food. It's the place to catch Alaska Orchestra's 'cuckoo clock' performance, listen to the smooth sounds of Sarsha Simone and have Jake Meadows serenade you with his harp, while performance artists take you on an eye-opening journey through the fair. Tickets are $50, include a complimentary drink and can be booked in advance or bought at the door.

If you can’t make it to the Sydney Contemporary opening night celebration on Thursday, September 10, never fear. A whole program of events and parties will continue during Sydney Contemporary, spilling out into iconic Redfern locales The Dock, The Bearded Tit, Arcadia and 107 Projects after the official fair closes its doors each evening. This is your after-hours art party mecca. Don’t miss Trailblazers. Curated by Emma Price and Connie Anthes, it's a performance art trail that starts at Sydney Contemporary from 8.30pm on Thursday, September 10, and continues along a string of local sites, featuring artists Latai Taumoepeau, Alex Chapman and Penelope Benton, Erica Englert and Bhenji Ra.

And if you like your rooftop parties with a healthy dose of zzzzs, then don’t miss Sleep. In partnership with 107 Projects, artist, musician and general legend Megan Alice Clune has curated a selection of performances about sleeping. The night will feature Pendant (formerly Nakagin), video works by Eugene Choi, Adam Guzowski (Golden Blonde, Alaska Orchestra) performing an improvised piece around a binaural drone and DJ Megan Alice Clune.

GET CONTEMPLATIVE WITH ADRIANO ZUMBO

For the critically curious among you, get inspired with a series of free (with entry) talks. You can join actor and philanthropist Rachel Griffiths as she discusses whether or not gender matters in contemporary art alongside Artspace director Alexie Glass-Kantor, artist Liam Benson, artist and curator Emma Price and MONA curator Jarrod Rawlins.

Adriano Zumbo is also in the mix, talking about creative processes with architect Sam Marshall, broadcaster James Valentine, artist Michael Zavros and actor Claudia Karvan. If you’re interested in the intersections between fashion and art, then get along to The Fashion Forum, presented by Vogue deputy editor Sophie Tedmanson and featuring Romance Was Born designers Luke Sales and Anna Plunkett, as well as writer and curator Alison Kubler.

Even though the talks are free, bookings are essential given limited spaces.

TAKE IN SOME BITE-SIZED CINEMA

Contemporary art meets film with two exciting short film screenings included in the price of your entry ticket. Acclaimed Australian artist Tracey Moffatt will premiere her new short film and comedic montage, The Art, and created with experimental filmmaker and music video producer Gary Hillberg. Sydney Contemporary also presents The Nightingale and the Rose, Del Kathryn Barton's take on the Oscar Wilde short story. It will be followed by a conversation between the film's co-director Brendan Fletcher and composer Sarah Blasko.

TRAWL THE MARKET STALLS AT URBAN NIGHTS

On the first Friday of every month, Redfern comes (even more) to life with the Redfern Night Market at Redfern Community Centre. In collaboration with Sydney Contemporary and Sydney Art week, a special one-off edition of the markets called Urban Nights will take place on Friday, September 11. This is your chance to check out some local culture and craft in an evening of art, performance and food.

VOTE TO SEND YOUR FAVOURITE ARTIST TO POSSIBLY THE BEST RESIDENCY EVER

Here's your chance to help send one artist to a place that is sure to stoke their creative fires. Sydney Contemporary has launched an artists in residency competition in partnership with Glenfiddich whiskey. That’s right, one lucky artist will get to live and work for three months at the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown, Scotland. The even better news? You could also win a trip for two to the Glenfiddich distillery. And unlike the poor talented souls who have slaved away to make brilliant art, which will be assessed by a panel of formidable judges, all you have to do to go in the draw is head to the Glenfiddich pop-up bar at Carriageworks and vote on your favourite artwork.

Sydney Contemporary is on from September 10–13 at Carriageworks. For the full program and to book tickets, see the event website.