Art and About 2010

First published on 29 Mar 2010. Updated on 5 Apr 2011.

Discover creative surprises in the most unlikely of places as Art and About 2010 sprinkles innovative art works across our streets and public spaces. Sydney’s most dynamic public arts festival transforms unexpected nooks and crannies into quirky free gallery spaces for one month only.

Oh Alfred! is as good a place as any to start. Who thought construction sites could be beautiful? Well, this one is. A collaboration between artists and the local Surry Hills community has turned the fencing around the reconstruction site of the Prince Alfred Park Pool into a spectacular sustainable artwork that tells the story of the park's regeneration using found and salvaged materials.

Then, take to the tarmac as The Banner Gallery brightens the main streets of the CBD with giant photographic portraits of 100 Sydneysiders who reflect Sydney’s diverse and multicultural society.

Or, head for the grassy shade of Hyde Park where the centrepiece exhibition Sydney Life reveals the collossal photographic works of the 22 competition finalists, each still in the running for the $10,000 prize. Enjoy the unique images from these rising stars of photography among the trees, then vote for your favourite.

For three arty days, the park will also be transformed into ArtPark – an interactive art space inspiring both kids and adults to unleash their inner artist and get creative. The diverse program of art, film and music will also feature craft workshops by Object Gallery and a pop-up gallery space. Pop into Live Green House for a rummage before you leave – taking note of the innovative green and sustainable tips throughout the mobile interactive home. Fully achievable, the house is designed to nudge us all towards a sustainable Sydney and will be around for the duration of ArtPark.

While you're barefoot in the grass, you may stumble across a statue of Captain Cook or William Bede Dalley decked out in the flamboyant designs of the Sydney Statues Project – just two of the eight historic Sydney statues that get a 21st century makeover as artists and costume designers unleash their imaginations.

All parked out? Head back to the bricks and wander through Martin Place to wow at The Bike Bike - an incredible 12 metre high penny farthing bicycle created from the remains of pre-loved and recycled bicycles. The massive cycle also encourages us to think of a greener Sydney whilst celebrating the city’s growing cycling trend.

Finally, check out the oft-neglected Sydney laneways - a maze of history and urban appeal. Curated by Barbara Flynn, Are You Looking At Me? breathes new life into these dark alleyways as nine contemporary Sydney artists inject them with sound, light, imagery and projections.

Official Art and About 2010 events:

Art and About 2010 Launch, Thu 23 Sep, 6-9pm, Hyde Park North.
Sydney Life, Thu 23 Sep-Sun 24 Oct, Hyde Park.
Live Green House, Thu 23 Sep-Sun 26 Sep, Hyde Park.
Banner Gallery, Thu 23 Sep-Sun 24 Oct, Around Sydney.
Sydney Statues Project, Thu 23 Sep-Sun 24 Oct, Around Sydney.
The Bike Bike, Thu 23 Sep-Sun 24 Oct, Martin Place.
Oh Alfred! Thu 23 Sep-Sun 24 Oct, Prince Alfred Park.
Camp Stonewall, Thu 23 Sep-Tue 1 Mar, Taylor Square.
Laneway Art: Are You Looking at Me? Thu 23 Sep-Mon 31 Jan, Around Sydney.
ArtPark, Fri 24 Sep-Sun 26 Sep, Hyde Park.

Associated events:

Primavera 2010, Thu 19 Aug-Sun 21 Nov, Museum of Contemporary Art.
In the Balance: Art for a Changing World, Thu 19 Aug-Sun 31 Oct, Museum of Contemporary Art.
Blake Prize 2010, Fri 3 Sep-Sat 2 Oct, National Art School.
Dream Home, Fri 3 Sep-Sat 9 Oct, Australian Centre for Photography.
Escapade, Thu 23 Sep-Sun 24 Oct, Gaffa Gallery.
Romance, Thu 23 Sep-Sun 24 Oct, Forbes and Burton.
Pine Street's Annual Students Exhibition Fri 24-Sat 2 Oct, Pine St Creative Arts Centre.
The 45th Annual Portia Geach Memorial Award, Fri 24 Sep-Tue 9 Nov, SH Ervin Gallery.
The Big Draw, Fri 24 Sep-Sat 25 Sep, National Art School.
Sydney Children's Festival, Mon 27 Sep-Sat 9 oct, CarriageWorks.
Namatjira: The Next Generation, Tue 28 Sep-Sat 16 Oct, Birrung Gallery.
Open Weekend at the Art Gallery of NSW, Sat 2 Oct-Mon 4 Oct, Art Gallery of NSW.
Much Lead, Sat 2 Oct-Sun 10 Oct, Object Gallery.
We Craft This City, Sat 2 Oct-Mon 10 Oct, Object Gallery.
FBi's Still Life 2010, Fri 8 Oct, Art Gallery of NSW.
The Engine Room, Fri 8 Oct, Object Gallery.
Streetscape Animation, Fri 8 Oct-Mon 18 Oct, Firsdraft.
The Imagine Festival 2010, Fri 8 Oct-Sun 10 Oct, Cleveland St Theatre.
Sydney ARI Tour, Sat 9 Oct, meeting location TBA.
Afghanistan: The Perils of Freedom, Fri 15 Oct-Sat 20 Nov, Australian Centre for Photography.
Nikon-Walkley Photographic Exhibition, Fri 15 Oct-Sat 30 Oct, Australian Centre for Photography.
START Studio Art Fest, Sat 16 Oct-Sun 17 Oct, Around Sydney.
The Hole Thing, Tue 19 Oct-Sun 24 Oct, TAP Gallery.
In Light of a Moon, Thu 21 Oct-Sat 23 Oct, Hyde Park North.
Place Making: Better City - Great Waterfronts, Mon 25 Oct, Customs House.