Breakfast Club

We’re interested in how the world and art collide. We think it’s most interesting when art is seen in context. In a time of intense political confusion, where it’s difficult to articulate the changes so many want to see, artistic practice – with its complex arsenal of the subconscious – is well placed to be a key player.

Our format is unique. We’re not interested in expert-led formats; we want big opinions, good discussion and personal stories. And coffee. That’s important.

Each event runs for two hours, and will be punctuated by a series of provocations from artists, key thinkers and our international curators-in-residence.

Arrive at any point. Pull up a chair and a croissant. And dive on in.

For more information, click on the links under ‘About the artist’.

About the Artist

Saturday 19 May, 10am-12pm

This isn’t a movement, it’s a moment.

The past two years have seen people take to the streets in more and more countries, seeking out change without knowing how to articulate it yet. As Spring warms up the city streets, a different and much harsher kind of authoritarian resistance has greeted New York’s occupiers. So what can we expect from public space in our cities? Where are the spaces that allow the fluid spontaneity and the cut and thrust of debate - city squares, football fields, theatres, libraries, media, the internet? When public space and politics collide, art that creates those cracks of light may be the best tool we have.

Sunday 20 May, 10am-12pm

Can art be both beautiful and effective?

“Artists are the people trying to make meaning in the world, and making meaning in the world is very difficult today because we live in an extremely coercive landscape... ” Nato Thompson, Chief Curator, Creative Time NYC.

Next Wave 2012 began with the provocation of generosity and urgency as key issues for contemporary arts practice. The result is a festival with strong political awareness, grounded firmly in discussion not didacticism. What impact does this have? What does it say about the role of artists in society?

Monday 21 May, 8am-10am

1.4 billion people in poverty. Now that everyone’s an artist, and everyone’s a journalist – who will tell their stories?

with The Oaktree Foundation

We all know something about poverty – its hardship, misery and human toll. In a world where we are saturated with images of the poor and starving, how can we start to see poverty in a way that is meaningful, comprehensive and sensitive to the subject? Does art have a role to play here? With a video camera in every pocket we are increasingly savvy to the way we communicate difficult social issues. So who will rise to the challenge?

Tuesday 22 May, 8am-10am

Climate Change: #firstworldproblems

with Tipping Point, Australia

Look after people, or look after planet? Is climate change something that only those who can afford it can think about? Perhaps this extreme context is something we must learn to live within, and can it be seen as fertile ground for artists and creatives to consider our personal, social and civic humanity?

Wednesday 23 May, 8am-10am

Revolution at the dinner table: fresh feminisms, open for discussion

with LEVEL Artist Run Initiative

The arts aren’t immune to their own kind of sexism. So let’s talk about it. What can current generations of feminists learn? What’s different and what sticks? How are our public and media figures affected by expectations of women’s role? And how can art contribute to political change?

Thursday 24 May, 8am-10am

Australia’s own Gross National Cool

with the Global Foundation

In the 1990s when their economy was having a truly excellent time of it, the exporting of Japan’s culture was known as the ‘Gross National Cool.’ It must be obvious to everyone now that Asia is where it’s at, and it’s going to remain that way for some time. Good news is that Australia is geographically and economically part of this movement. So when will our culture catch up? That is - when will Australia finally be cool?

Friday 25 May, 8am-10am

Is Docklands an eyesore? Can artists and developers be friends?

What role does creativity play in creating liveable environments? What kind of things can squash the creation of a good city? Can we save the post-Spencer St end of our city? Whose job is it to do that? What conditions are required for good times and beautiful spaces? No one wanted it to be this way...

Saturday 26 May, 10am-12pm

Religion and art: old friends, new discussions

Gay marriage, rituals and drawing inspiration from disaster: can we be secular and be spiritual? Is this a threat to the old guard? What will be destroyed if more people ask questions of religious leaders?

Sunday 27 May, 10am-12pm

I wanna be close to you: art, intimacy and our obsession with eating

Since Rirkrit Tiravanjiya cooked some curry for gallery-goers in the 1990s, contemporary artists have been increasingly interested to feed, share and exchange food obsessions with their audience. At the same time the restaurants scene and celebrity chef craze continues its upwards stratospheric orbit. Art and food have been friends for a long time. So what’s new? Why now? And is it delicious?