Arts
Rub thoroughly before hanging: Getting to the mushy bottom of the banana at the NGV
We ask artist Maurizio Cattelan about the practicalities of his controversial work: why a banana? How is it prepared? And how does he feel about people eating his art?
- by Elizabeth Flux
Latest
Government blasted over ‘mean and nasty’ cuts to youth orchestras
For some young people, it’s “life-saving”. Victoria has funded Melbourne Youth Orchestras since it was established in 1967. That could end this year.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
The year ahead in art: The best exhibitions coming to Victoria in 2024
Pharaohs at the NGV, Melbourne Art Fair and The Ballad of Sexual Dependency are among our top picks.
- by Tiarney Miekus
The award-winning play that tells a nation’s story through a family tale is coming to Melbourne
Inspired by his great-grandfather’s letters, S. Shakthidharan’s play Counting and Cracking is a Sri Lankan story but could be that of many other nations.
- by Elizabeth Flux
Simply the best: The must-see shows in Melbourne this year
The tennis is over, Taylor’s tickets have been snapped up and you’ve already visited the Triennial. Here’s what you should see next.
- by cameron woodhead, Bridget Davies, Sonia Nair and Andrew Fuhrmann
★★★★★
Live Music
Taylor Swift’s extraordinary victory lap filled Melbourne with joy and brought us to tears
Over nearly two decades, Swift has built both an enduring body of work and an unparalleled connection with her fans. All of that was on show on Friday night.
- by Liam Pieper
Examining Australia’s dark history through little silver teaspoons
The phenomenon of the tea break and a chance discovery at his mother’s house led artist Simon Normand down an unexpected path.
- by Stephen Brook
A very important date: Australian Ballet’s biggest ever production is back
Prepare yourself for more than 350 costumes and 27 set changes, optical illusions, digital projections and puppetry.
- by Hannah Story
War artist Ben Quilty on painting children, ‘the victims of our collective adult insanity’
The acclaimed Australian artist found himself creating one work for every child killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict. It quickly became an impossible task.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
Humbled and thrilled: Local theatre company takes out prestigious global award
The groundbreaking Geelong-based group Back to Back Theatre are the 2024 recipients of the Venice Biennale Golden Lion Award for lifetime achievement in theatre.
- by Kerrie O'Brien
Step inside the otherworldly mind of Picnic at Hanging Rock’s author
A new installation at Mulberry Hill, the former residence of Joan Lindsay, offers a peek into the author’s life – and her love of St Valentine’s Day.
- by Nadia Bailey