Artists, performers, DJs, writers and creatives bring new experiences every night to NGV Triennial.
The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) is set to turn up the cultural heat this summer with the announcement of Triennial EXTRA, a vibrant after-hours festival lighting up Melbourne nights from 19th to 28th January 2024.
The 10-night event promises an immersive blend of gallery activations, performances, pop-up artist talks, DJ sets, and much more, all set against the backdrop of the city’s premier art space.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
In the heart of NGV’s Federation Court, two monumental sculptures by British artist Thomas J Price will provide inspiration for nightly performances from 6 pm to 9 pm. These live acts, curated by Candy Bowers, celebrate the talents of the African diaspora in Australia through a captivating mix of live music, spoken word poetry, and dance.
Visitors to the Great Hall can engage with the interactive Melbourne Tennis Ball Exchange, a unique artwork by British artist David Shrigley. By swapping their pre-loved tennis balls for one of over 8,000 new balls lining the walls, participants contribute to an ever-changing installation, prompting reflection on the joy derived from the exchange of everyday goods.
View this post on Instagram
In NGV’s medieval galleries, Melbourne artist Richard Lewer invites participants to share their dreams, hopes, and reflections in the participatory series Richard Lewer’s Confessions. Each night, the artist responds to these interactions by painting artworks presented alongside his Triennial exhibition works, titled Adam and Eve.
Swiss artist Franziska Furter’s almost nine-metre-wide carpet, adorned with hurricane satellite images, becomes the stage for nightly performances by Melbourne choral group Alchemy Consort during Triennial EXTRA. The conversation series titled “Let’s talk about the weather,” hosted by art historian Dr Olivia Meehan, explores the persistent presence of weather in our everyday lives.
Throughout the Triennial exhibition spaces, Chinese-Australian composer Mindy Meng Wang delivers a multisensory experience, merging her compositions with visuals of the artworks. As the sun sets, Federation Court transforms into a dancefloor with nightly DJ sets featuring performances by Sui Zhen, RONA, C.FRIM, IN2STELLAR, and more from 9 pm to 11 pm.
Audiences can get closer to the creative minds behind the art through artist talks with contributors such as Nadiah Bamadhaj, Yee I-Lann, Hoda Afshar, Prudence Flint, Ezz Monem, and Richard Lewer.
In addition to the cultural feast, visitors can enjoy refreshments in the Great Hall, including Moët Imperial champagne and Moët Rosé Impérial from the Moët & Chandon Bar. The Gallery Kitchen hosts the Four Pillars Gin Bar, offering signature G&Ts and bespoke cocktails. The Yering Station Wine Bar on the Garden Restaurant Terrace provides a space to indulge in oysters and charcuterie platters with fine wines from the Yarra Valley.
Triennial EXTRA takes place from 19th to 28th January 2024, open from 6.00 pm until 11.00 pm. For more information on the program, visit the NGV website here.
The NGV Triennial is on display from 3 December 2023 to 7 April 2024 at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Entry is FREE.
