At the end of World War II, Australia faced a housing crisis. In response, government, the media and architects became actively engaged in providing practical solutions. It was a period of experimentation and brave new ideas. Given the many issues surrounding the provision of affordable and sustainable housing today, are there lessons to be learnt from this period? more
While Modernism appears old, if not antique, why does it still command a powerful influence on 21st century culture, despite many efforts to herald its demise? Designers, architects and art historians will address this conundrum through first-hand narratives, films and research on inter-disciplinary projects. more
Modernism transformed life in Australia during the twentieth century. From jazz clubs to espresso bars and abstract art, modernism defined an exciting new cosmopolitan culture. Be inspired by the spirit of modernism at special night viewings of the Modern times exhibition, with live jazz, entertainment, speakers and refreshments. more
Does originality still exist?
This is a question often asked of Birgit Lohmann, CEO and editor-in-chief of the international online design publication designboom. In this talk Lohmann searches for an answer by drawing on her experiences working in a transcultural context and organising international design competitions. more
Buy directly from the cream of national and international design talent, over four days at the Powerhouse Museum. more
Free lunch-time talks every Wednesday and Sunday at the Powerhouse. Throughout August Talks After Noon focuses on some of the unique events, exhibitions and people featured in SD08. more
The times are modern, the music is jazz and the dance is swing. This evening presents the perfect opportunity to don your best vintage clothing and immerse yourself in all things 20th century modern. Be guided through a series of dance steps designed to get you up and moving and in the mood, and enjoy a special viewing of the Modern times exhibition. more
In 1967, Grant and Mary Featherston designed their now-famous ‘talking chair’ for Expo 67 Montreal, Canada. The Expo was considered to be one of Australia’s most successful overseas promotions, with over 20,000 million visitors during a six-month period. Forty years on, Ann Stephen, Principal Curator of the Modern times exhibition, talks to three award-winning Australian designers who are exposing Australian design internationally. more
To coincide with Sydney Design 08, the Powerhouse Museum, the British Council and Arts NSW are proud to present this inaugural travelling scholarship for a NSW designer to undertake a program of professional development overseas, valued at $18 000. more
Design Stories: inspiration and creativity in exploring and generating ideas
A unique opportunity for students to hear successful designers speak about their personal and professional philosophy and the inspiration that underpins and informs their design decisions. more
An extension of the student study day, this workshop will assist students with skills in visualisation, communication and presentation techniques. Participants get to create their own digital story, develop AV production skills, and identify a range of resources for creating digital stories. more
Open Day: DESIGN
Open Day highlights include two very special behind-the-scenes tours. Join celebrated Australian designer Jenny Kee and Powerhouse curator Christina Sumner for a tour of the Jenny Kee-designed Sydney 2000 Olympic Games opening ceremony costumes more
The Historic Houses Trust’s recent conservation and redecoration of the State drawing rooms of Government House has broken new ground in the conservation and presentation of Australian historic interiors. Contemporary artists and designers were commissioned to design new carpets, furniture and furnishing textiles for project. Hear about the challenges and the triumphs during two discussion forums. more
Explore the Historic Houses Trust’s Marion Hall Best collection with curators Joanna Nicholas and Michael Lech. One of Australia’s most influential interior designers from the 1930s to 70s, Marion Hall Best set up a studio and display area in Queen Street, Woollahra in 1938, and later added a retail business. more
Spend an afternoon with industry professionals from industrial, graphic, interior, multimedia and textile design and take the fear and question marks out of creating your own unique portfolio. View a range of professional portfolios and presentation styles, ask questions, receive feedback and focus on what you would like your work to say about you. Meet and connect with design professionals by booking in for a 15 minute session to discuss your own portfolio. more
A discussion about the exhibition Colour in Art – Revisting 1919, which shows the work of Australian painters Roland Wakelin (1887–1971) and Roy de Maistre (1894-1968) in the context of de Maistre’s ‘colour-music’ theory; a key tenet in the development of our understanding of modernism. more
This hands-on workshop opens up the world of electronic media and demonstrates how it can be used creatively in interaction design. Working with hardware including mobile phones, Wii controllers, and a large scale media display called SmartSlab, participants will learn about programming in a visual context to create a performance or interactive installation. more
Will pixels take precedence over paper? In this debate, students in the Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design (Digital Design) at The Design Centre Enmore go head to head with students in the Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design (Print, Packaging & Publishing) to argue the pros and cons of graphically designed communication in a digital age. The debate coincides with an exhibition of student typography that ‘visually argues’ the same topic. more
Share a unique experience with fellow Design & Technology teachers over a weekend at the Arthur and Yvonne Boyd Education Centre at Riversdale. Explore the potential of the Bundanon and Riversdale properties for built environment education and collaboratively develop new approaches for teaching secondary students. more
The artist and teacher Ludwig Hirschfeld-Mack (1893-1965) was a student then later a master at the Bauhaus, teaching the first Bauhaus seminar on colour. In 1936 Hirschfeld-Mack fled Nazi Germany for England, but was eventually deported to Australia in 1940, where he was interned as a German ‘alien’. more
The winner of the Design NSW: Travelling Scholarship has been announced.
The inaugural Design NSW: Travelling Scholarship is a new award presented by the Powerhouse Museum and British Council with Arts NSW. The first winner – Matthew Huynh - was announced on 7 August at the official launch of Sydney Design 08. Huynh picked up $18,000 in prize money, used to fund an overseas sabbatical and develop his professional career. more
The NSW branch of the Design Institute of Australia launched its Top 10 x10 Designer Talk series in 2007 to provide an opportunity for established and influential designers to share their knowledge and experience with an audience of practicing designers and those interested in the design industry. more
A multi-media work for architectural light, music and multi-channel sound by Mary-Anne Kyriakou, recipient of Peggy Glanville Hicks Composer Fellowship 2008-2009. more
