Art Smitten is SYN's weekly guide to arts, culture and entertainment in Australia and around the world. With a focus on youth and emerging arts, we're here to showcase culture ahead of the curve. From our base in Naarm/Melbourne, contributors interview, review, and cover the very best of what the world’s second-most liveable city has to offer. Whether it's film, fashion, photography or Fauvism you're into, Art Smitten is the place!
In this segment, Tom Parry chats with fellow radio producer and good friend Jack Missen, who is vision impaired, about their experiences in a blind-friendly Escape Room, known as The Owl Job . To find out more about this Escape Room, and book tickets, head to http://www.theowljob.com/ Segment produced by Tom Parry. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
As one of the many artists appearing at this year's Ballarat International Foto Biennale, photographer and Badtjala woman Dr Fiona Foley will be showcasing her exhibition "Who Are These Strangers And Where Are They Going?" at the Ballarat Mining Exchange. Dr Foley spoke with Art Smitten co-hosts Christian, Liam and Monisha about working with fellow curator Djon Mundine, her upcoming film project and her impressions of Ballarat. "Who Are These Strangers And Where Are They Going?" will be exhibiti...
Playwright and creator of Australian Realness , Zoey Dawson speaks with Hayden, Lachlan and Tom about the inspirations for her production, including her upbringing in regional Victoria and first impressions of city life. Australian Realness will be playing at the Malthouse Theatre, Southbank until September 8th. For more information, head to Zoey's official website or that of Malthouse . Segment originally aired Sunday, August 11th. Produced and Edited by Tom Parry. Image courtesy of Zoey Dawson...
The University of Melbourne's biennial arts event, MUDFEST , is happening very soon. To promote the 2019 event, co-Executive Directors Ellie Hamill and Lucy Holz came to the Art Smitten studios, where they were interviewed by our co-Executive Producer, Tom Parry. MUDFEST runs August 21st to 28th on both the Parkville and Southbank campuses of U.M. For more information, head to the UMSU or official MUDFEST website . You can also follow the Mudfest team on Facebook and Instagram . Segment original...
As the Special Projects Coordinator with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Karl Knapp is responsible for bringing many events to the stage, including the MSO's ongoing Films In Concert series. Karl spoke with Art Smitten co-hosts Monisha, Christian and Tom about his work and some of the upcoming Concert performances, including Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix , Skyfall , and the film soundtracks of Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. For more information about the MSO and its future events, hea...
Writer and author Rosemary Sorensen has headed the Bendigo Writers Festival for the past eight years. With the 2019 Festival just over a week away, we sent Art Smitten 's co-Executive Producer, and fellow Bendigonian, Tom Parry to his old hometown for a chat with Rosemary in the iconic Capital Theatre. In their wide-ranging discussion, Rosemary and Tom talk about the history of the festival, some of the more contentious authors appearing at this year's event, advice for aspiring writers, and a s...
Our producer Tom speaks with his Film 101 co-hosts, Arnie Duracak and Darcy Read, about the upcoming Melbourne International Film Festival, or MIFF. The three movie buffs talk about the history of the event, the highlights of this year's festival and the films they are most looking forward to, including The Farewell (pictured). MIFF's 2019 programme begins Thursday, August 1st. For more information, head to the official website . Segment produced by Tom Parry; edited by Arnie Duracak. See omnyst...
In the lead up to the Emerging Writers Festival, Viv and Digby interviewed Tegan Webb about zines, the State Library, and so much more. The Emerging Writers Festival is now over for 2019, but you can find out more information here: https://emergingwritersfestival.org.au/ Originally premiered on Sunday 16th June. Produced and edited by Marcie Di Bartolomeo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
FROM THE ARCHIVES! In this segment, Viv, Tom and Chirstian speak to Sophie Smyth and Ryan Smedley on their Melbourne International Comedy Festival show The Aspie Hour , which recently won a Green Room Award. Originally aired 2018 Sunday, March 4th, 2018. Segment produced by Christian Tsoutsouvas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
FROM THE ARCHIVES! Tom and Dana chat with Sim Luttin and Paul Hodges about their art exhibition We Can Be Heroes . Segment originally aired Wednesday, March 14th, 2018. Produced by Christian Tsoutsouvas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oz Comic-Con is a national event that takes place in Australia's five major cities every year. On June 8th, 2019, the Art Smitten team attended the event in Melbourne, and recorded the experience for our loyal listeners. Included in this very special podcast are interviews with a cosplayer, the Doctor Who Fan Club, and author Isobelle Carmody, as well as our observations of the day. Segments of this podcast originally aired June 23rd and 30th. Featuring the voices of Tom Denham, Viv Micic, Marci...
With Melbourne’s third Series Mania festival imminent, Tom Parry spoke with Kristy Matheson, from the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) about the history of the festival, the presence of Melissa Rosenberg ( Marvel’s Jessica Jones ) at this year’s event, the unprecedented growth of television, and the Australian content being premiered. Plus, Kristy provides an update on the renovations currently taking place at ACMI’s headquarters in Federation Square. Series Mania takes place on Jul...
With the 2019 Emerging Writers Festival fast-approaching, co-hosts Arnie and Sim caught-up with Artistic Director – and former SYN presenter – Izzy Roberts-Orr about her decade-long involvement with the Festival, its colourful promotional artwork, its international connections and which poet she’d most like to have a coffee with. The Emerging Writers Festival officially begins this Wednesday, June 19th. For more information, head to emergingwritersfestival.org.au , or search @emergingwriters on ...
Viv, Lily and Marcie discuss Oz Comic Con 2019, prior experience of Comic Con, what is done at Comic Con, celebrities that have come to Comic Con, costumes people wear at Comic Con events, all the lovely panels and more! This year's Oz Comic Con will be from Saturday June 8th to Sunday June 9th at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC). You can find out more information about it at https://ozcomiccon.com/melbourne/ Originally aired Sunday June 2nd. Produced and edited by Marcie Di...
Lily and Viv interview Aimee Sanderson and Hayley Lawson Smith for their show Pretence, a satirical look at theatre, acting schools and competition, where two actors have come for an audition but have been given different information about the play and audition, and are left alone in a theatre. Written by Hayley, directed by Daniel Kershaw, and produced by Dramatic Pause Theatre Company, the show premieres at Butterfly Club 3rd of June, and plays until the 8th of June. More information can be fo...
Created and developed by students at RMIT University, the inaugural Melbourne International Youth Film Festival, or MIYFF, aims to showcase short films from artists aged 25 and under. Co-hosts Charlie, Aurora and Tom spoke with two of the festival’s organisers, Alice Fairweather and Sean Roberts, to glean some insight on how films were selected for the event, and their advice for other budding film-makers. MIYFF is happening this weekend from Friday, May 31st! For more information and tickets, h...
More of Sylvia Plath's delightful poetry. Marcie reads with Tom, "Two Lovers and a Beachcomber by the Real Sea", "The Munich Mannequins" and "Ennui". Originally aired May 19th. Produced and edited by Marcie Di Bartolomeo. Image courtesy of the Poetry Foundation. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Marcie and Tom regale in the poetry prowess of Sylvia Plath. Marcie reads out several of these poems, "Mad Girl’s Love Song" and "Tulips". Originally aired Sunday May 19th. Produced and edited by Marcie Di Bartolomeo. Image courtesy of the Poetry Foundation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this sequel to Raddish and Quill's wholesome adventures, Marcie reads out Jessica Zhou's "A Lively Market Visit" with Tom. The Remarkable Quests of Raddish and Quill is a column in The University of Melbourne's publication Farrago, written by members of the Creative Literature and Writing Society's (CLAWS) committee (of which Marcie is founding president). "A Lively Market Visit" is Jessica Zhou's column entry. CLAWS has a facebook page. You can check out the column entry on the Farrago websi...
Catherine Holder and Pearce Hessling of production company Little Dirt Path speak to co-hosts Aurora and Tom about their interactive play Blood is Thicker Than Hummus . Catherine and Pearce's show is running at Siteworks from May 24th until June 9th. For more information, head to littledirtpath.com.au or visit their official Facebook page . Segment originally aired Wednesday, May 15th. Produced by Sim Monga; edited by Tom Parry. Image courtesy of Little Dirt Path. See omnystudio.com/listener for...
In this segment, the Immigration Museum’s Lauren Ellis speaks to co-hosts Aurora and Tom about the winter exhibition Tattoo and Identity: Our Bodies, Our Voices, Our Marks . The exhibition will be running from June 24th until October 6th. For more information, head to museumsvictoria.com.au/immigrationmuseum/whats-on/our-bodies-our-voices-our-marks Segment originally aired Wednesday, May 15th. Produced by Sim Monga; edited by Tom Parry. Image courtesy of the Immigration Museum. See omnystudio.co...
Marcie and Tom talk to Sharmini Kumar about her play The Sisters; or, Galileo's Penance. Sharmini talks about the play's connection to science and religion, and its significance as a play based on the true story of Galileo's illegitimate daughters. Originally broadcasted on Sunday May 19th. Produced and edited by Marcie Di Bartolomeo. Image courtesy of Butterfly Club See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The late Jim Keays is best known for leading the Aussie rock band Masters Apprentices, but he was also a talented painter. Jim’s wife, Karin Keays, is responsible for managing and curating his artworks, and came by the Art Smitten studios to chat with co-hosts Aurora and Tom about the latest exhibition of his work, The Boy From The Stars . Jim’s artwork can be viewed in-person at the FAD Gallery in Coors Lane, Melbourne until June 8th. You can also see examples of his style on Karin’s official w...
In preparation for her “heartfelt and hilarious” show It’s Not Me, It’s Definitely You – covering the music of Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse – singer Lisa Woodbrook joined co-hosts Sim, Charlie and Tom for a fun, lively chat about what inspired her to create the show, and the influence of her family. It’s Not Me, It’s Definitely You will be playing at The Butterfly Club from Monday, May 20th. For more information, head to the official website . Segment originally aired Wednesday, May 1st; produce...
Marcie and Lily discuss the Remarkable Quests of Raddish and Quill, a column in The University of Melbourne's publication Farrago, written by members of the Creative Literature and Writing Society's (CLAWS) committee (of which Marcie is founding president). Features Marcie doing a reading of their column entry, 'The Delightfully Wholesome Genie'. CLAWS has a facebook page. You can check out the column entry on the Farrago website here http://farragomagazine.com/2019/03/05/the-remarkable-quests-o...
Marcie and Lily interview Verity Norbury for her play 'Mocha Is Not Coffee!' as part of Law Week 2019. Verity discusses the play's themes on the mental health of law students, as well as her thesis, which explores the way in which performance can be used to open up discussions about mental health and wellbeing amongst law students. Playing at Gasworks Studio Theatre 15th-18th May. For more information and tickets, check out http://www.gasworks.org.au/event/mocha-is-not-coffee/ Originally aired o...
Marcie and Lily interview Diane Toulson and Leah Shelton for Bitch on Heat, where absurdist lip-synch meets high-camp performance art. Leah and Diane talk about the pop-fuelled critique of sexual politics in the age of implied consent that Bitch on Heat provides, and the Pandora’s box of ancient myths and pop-culture within the show. Performing at Theatre Works May 8th-19th. For more information and tickets, check out http://www.theatreworks.org.au/program/bitch-on-heat/?mc_cid=f622c33e82&mc...
To promote the new poster curation Climate + Art = Change , Amy Spiers – who is one of several artists participating in the project – joined co-hosts Tom, Sim and Charlie to discuss the purpose of the curation, and the inspiration for her artwork. All of the artworks can be viewed at Testing Grounds, Southbank until May 18th. For more information, head to artclimatechange.org/2019/event/climarte-poster-project-ii You can also read more about Amy on her official website: www.amyspiers.com.au Segm...
Marcie, Digby and guest-host Connor talk about everything Dungeons and Dragons; characters, campaigns, and all the hijinks and crazy adventures they would get into. Featuring discussion of another Tabletop Role-Playing Game; Stars Without Number, and all its crazy hijinks. Aired originally on Sunday April 28th. Segment produced and edited by Marcie Di Bartolomeo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
From Hellblade to Cuphead to Mario Party, Marcie, Digby and guest-host Connor talk about a whole series of video games, the Nintendo Switch, and more. Disclaimer; the first minute of the discussion has been cut off due to technical difficulties, but the game Conner is talking about at the start of the discussion is Hellblade - Senua's Sacrifice. Aired originally on Sunday April 28th. Segment produced and edited by Marcie Di Bartolomeo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
