2024 PUBLIC PROGRAMS

HOSSEI
’ESSSENSSSE’

ACCESSIBLE MOVEMENT WORKSHOP 
22 February, 4:30-5:30pm
Verge Gallery

Developed and led by independent access curator Imogen Yang, and co-facilitated by movement artists who centre lived experience of blindness and neurodiversity, this workshop involved diverse sensory, tactile and alternative communication approaches to encountering ESSSENSSSE performers wearing costumes featured within the show. The performers revealed methods of movement developed in collaboration with HOSSEI for the ESSSENSSSE live performances on the 15th and 22nd February.

Workshop participants were invited to touch and engage with the costumes and movements of the performers, and to enter an equitable realm in which to develop their own individual or collective approaches to movement. Live audio description of the costumes and movements were provided.

Imogen and co-facilitators endeavour to create a safe and intersectionally informed environment in which to engage comfortably in inclusive embodied practice, enabling engagement with the artist’s work and ideas. Attendees were welcome to be as involved as they would like, in terms of observation, participation and rest levels. No prior movement or dance experience required.

We welcome you to reach out prior to the workshop to inform us of your access and cultural requirements, or suggest adjustments to the workshop structure to make the workshop more accessible to you.

Followed by an ESSSENSSSE performance at 6:30pm. 

ESSSENSSSE Movement Workshop was presented in collaboration with the University of Sydney Student Life.

MASTERCLASS WITH HOSSEI
5 March, 12-1pm
Verge Gallery

Are you an emerging artist with questions about how to build a career after art school? Are you interested in the process behind developing an exhibition? Are you keen to explore the arts scene on campus? Join us for a masterclass with ESSSENSSSE artist HOSSEI in which HOSSEI will talk about life as a practicing artist, covering areas related to his artistic practice and career trajectory, the process behind creating ESSSENSSSE, accessible exhibition design, and more!

Towards the end of the masterclass, there will be a Q&A where the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions.

ACCESSIBLE ARTS WRITING FOR EXHIBITIONS
22 March, 1-2:30PM
Verge Gallery

Verge is hosting a participatory workshop with accessibility consultant Sarah Empey. Sarah will be taking participants through how she uses her unique perspective to describe art and to make gallery and museum spaces more accessible for the blind and low-vision community. The workshop will be held within the gallery alongside HOSSEI’s exhibition ESSSENSSSE which has been co-designed with Sarah, including audio descriptions, QR codes with braille overlays, and tactile markings, to increase its accessibility.

ESSSENSSSE TWILIGHT
11 April, 6-8PM
Verge Gallery

ESSSENSSSE Twilight is an immersive night of sound performances by percussionist Niki Johnson, in association with current exhibition ESSSENSSSE by HOSSEI. 

Experience the enchanting exhibition soundtrack as it is brought to life by Niki, prior to its online release on Friday 12 April.

The creation of these melodies was a unique collaboration between HOSSEI and Niki. For the first time, HOSSEI embarked on a creative journey, crafting the songs solely through verbal descriptions, which Niki then transformed into captivating melodies. For the exhibition's soundtrack, HOSSEI added depth and texture by remixing these tunes with ambient sounds, including the purring of his cat, Taro, and the echoes of a 3000-year-old shell. This fusion of ancient and personal elements has resulted in a truly mesmerizing auditory experience.

Sophie Penkethman-Young
’Robot//Dog’

DIGITAL LAUNCH 
21 March, 6-9pm
Verge Gallery

Preview screening with snacks and drinks.

Robot//Dog is a kaleidoscopic video essay on humans, dogs, AI and the multitudes they all contain.

Vicky Browne
’Into the interconnectedness that spans the vastness of space and the infinitesimal scale of microcosms’

IN CONVERSATION WITH VICKY BROWNE
24 May, 11am-12:30pm
Verge Gallery

In Vicky Browne’s exhibition Into the interconnectedness that spans the vastness of space and the infinitesimal scale of microcosms, Vicky looks at the ‘interconnected ecologies’ which weave the fabric of our world, as well as what Vicky terms ‘the thingy-ness of things.’

Taking place amongst her works, Vicky chats to Sydney College of the Arts student and emerging artist Will Naufahu about the process behind creating Into the interconnectedness…

KINETIC VIBRATIONS
30 May, 5:30-8pm
Verge Gallery

Enter a cosmic world of levitating laundry lint, screaming rocks and DIY electronics this May with Vicky Browne.

This dynamic sound activation night features performances by Vicky Browne with Blake Bridgewater and Jennifer Leahy, as well as artists and musicians Chris Dolman, Peter Blamey, Christopher James Ross, and Maëlyse Leculier. 

Connor Chen, Emily Greenwood, Raymond Huynh, IAI, Lukas Kalos, Maëlyse Xinh Leculier, Jingru Mai (Moira), Kate McGuinness & Zoë Marni Robertson
’Opting Out’

EXHIBITION LAUNCH & VERGE’S 15TH BIRTHDAY PARTY
1 August, 5:30-8pm
Verge Gallery

Help us celebrate our birthday in style as we enjoy a dynamic series of artist performances, accompanied by food, drink and birthday cake, in celebration of the launch of Opting Out and Verge’s 15th Anniversary!

Featuring performances by pianist Hunter Bailey-Watts, as part of Kirsova 4, 2024 by artist Lukas Kalos, as well as artist duo, bigwig.

Functioning as a timestamp of student life in 2024, Opting Out takes a satirical, playful, and critical stance on labour and leisure, work and play. 

About the performers:

Hunter Bailey-Watts (he/him) is a pianist living and working on Gadigal land. Hunter is currently in his fourth year at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and will soon complete a Bachelor of Music (performance) degree under the guidance of Stephanie McCallum. Having begun studies at the age of 6 on the NSW Far South Coast, Hunter has become a versatile and proficient musician.

Hunter has been involved with the Four Winds Music Festival as a performer and composer on numerous occasions and has worked with celebrated ensembles such as the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Inventi Ensemble and Pinchgut Opera.

Now with a keen interest in the performance and collaborative composition of contemporary works, Hunter intends to develop his musicianship and facilitate the proliferation of new and relevant stories.

THE WAGE DEBATE
8 August, 5:30-7:30pm
Verge Gallery

The Wage Debate will see two teams of University of Sydney students and alumni go head-to-head, grappling spiritedly with the prompt: ‘Act Your Wage. Agree or Disagree.’ Inspired by a question circulating most Gen Z group chats, ‘are we working to live or living to work?,’ acting your wage refers to doing what you’re paid to do and not a minute more. 

Running alongside Verge’s 15th Anniversary exhibition, Opting Out, which centres student voices and concerns, from cozzie livs to the grindset, The Wage Debate features Opting Out artists, PULP editors, and key campus personalities, with the winning team being decided upon by the audience.

Have you been wondering whether to take that extra 10 minutes on your lunch break? Our eight debaters might just have an answer for you. Join us at The Wage Debate for an upbeat yet critical discussion tackling whether one should go above and beyond at work. 

Kylie Banyard
’soft landing’

SLOW LOOKING WORKSHOP
5 October, 1-2pm
Verge Gallery

Feeling overwhelmed and in need of a breather? Is doom-scrolling taking its toll? Remedy your attention fatigue and learn to see differently at our slow looking workshop, facilitated by artist Kylie Banyard and accessibility consultant Sarah Empey. 

Expanding upon the art historical technique of closely examining the visual fundamentals of an artwork, this workshop will involve a series of guided slow looking activities which respond to works in Banyard’s upcoming exhibition soft landing. Acting as an exercise in mindfulness rather than a tool for analysis, slow looking is a means of learning about the world in a way that is free from judgement, and which brings us into the present moment.

In a society that is increasingly fast-moving, this workshop is an opportunity to stop and smell the roses or, in this case, observe the brushstrokes.

’2024 USU CREATIVE AWARDS’

BLOCK PARTY: DARK ART
5 October, 1-2pm
Verge Gallery

Something sinister is brewing at JFR Plaza this Halloween, as your favourite arts & culture groups on campus join forces to bring you the BLOCK PARTY: Dark Art.

Join us at the witching hour for a night of live music, performances, art after hours and more, as the sun goes down on Jane Foss Russell Plaza.

With Verge Gallery open late, you can also experience the 2024 USU Creative Awards, Verge’s annual student exhibition featuring the very best of student art, music, word, and short film.

Featuring bespoke prizes for Best Dressed, donated by SURG and SCASS.

Guest DJs and performance line up to be announced very soon.
FREE snacks and limited bar tab so be sure to come early.

Presented in collaboration with PULP, SCASS, Honi Soit, SURG fm, and USYD Student Life.

FILM SCREENINGS
17 October, 6-8:30pm
Verge Gallery

Immerse yourself in a series of short films created by Sydney’s emerging filmmakers! Sit back, grab some popcorn, and transport yourself into the filmic worlds created by the finalists on the ‘big screen.’

SPOKEN WORD
24 October, 6-8pm
Verge Gallery

Hear students shortlisted for the Word category of the Creative Awards read out excerpts of their pieces of writing at Verge. From narrative non-fiction to lyrical poetry, Spoken Word Night is an opportunity to engage with material written and performed by Sydney’s next generation of writers.

LIVE MUSIC
25 October, 6-8pm
Verge Gallery

End your week on an uplifting note at Live Music Night! From electronic to rap, R&B to pop, this event will feature live performances by students shortlisted for the Music category of the Creative Awards. 

LIVE MUSIC
26 October, 11am-2pm
Verge Gallery

Bring along friends and family for a Saturday afternoon of art and refreshments! Finalists of the Art category of the Creative Awards will speak about the concepts and processes which have informed their practices and led them to create the works featured within this year’s USU Creative Awards exhibition at Verge.