MPavilion

For this discussion, our panellists delved into the idea of galleries as ‘testing spaces’ for risk, experiment, play and speculation. Following an introduction from RMIT Design Hub curator Fleur Watson, artist and landscape architect Charles Anderson and arts academic Jondi Keane exchanged ideas about their new RMIT Design Hub exhibition slash laboratory space: Technics & Touch: Body-Matter-Machine. The experimental project explores methods of producing feedback systems through perception and action cycles—and by working alongside a robot. Using their temporary lab as a springboard, Charles and Jondi will explore how gallery spaces can present exciting opportunities for autonomous intelligence systems to interact with performers and the public—meaning further interactions between arts organisations and new technology. Will this change the function of gallery spaces as we know them? And how will the artist’s role change with these developments?

“How could we create the feeling, the experience, the sensation of a tree canopy, but in a completely abstract way, with man-made materials?” In an interview for Architectural Review, Amanda Levete talked about some of the thinking and collaboration that went into AL_A’s MPavilion design. The third and final installment of MTalks in a trilogy of lunchtime conversations about this year’s MPavilion construction, and the unique puzzles faced along the way.

Key players from the brief-to-build team—included MPavilion’s Robert Buckingham, Jessie French and Sam Redston, Arup’s Brendon McNiven, Kane Constructions’ Tony Isaacson and landscape designer Paul Bangay (who lent his green thumbs to MPavilion’s flower beds and perennial borders)— talked us through their material, technological and botanical decisions, offering us a behind-the-scenes look at everything that goes into designing, building and wiring up a high-tech, weather-responsive and modular temporary structure.

Why did Paul choose to plant salvia around AL_A’s structure? How did engineers from Arup tackle the design challenge of seamlessly incorporating sound and light? And how do Sam and the MPavilion production team make sure our nightly Sunset Ritual plays at the exact moment of sundown each evening? Pull up a pew under the (thirteen big and thirty small) petals on the first three Tuesdays in December, and discover the ins and outs of AL_A’s enchanting and boundary-pushing digital forest canopy.

Being human is not always easy. For centuries the mind sciences have attempted to unlock the mysteries of why some people live a life of quiet despair while others flourish. Dr Jo Mitchell explored how the wisdom of key thinkers from the mind sciences might help us to live well in everyday life. How have these experts’ ideas shaped our understanding of the human mind and behaviour?

MMeets—Reading about homes with Tai Snaith • 8 Nov 2015 by MPavilion

MTalks—Robin Boyd Foundation pres. Designing a family home • 12 Nov 2015 by MPavilion

How is intelligent design redefining the workplace? Businesses are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of investing in workplace design; sustainable designs that promote workplace wellness and respond to the needs of the contemporary office are shaping reputations of businesses and making them more attractive to job seekers. Listen to Dan Cox—Carr Design Group’s director of commercial interiors—and David Hall, Victorian chair of the Australian Physiotherapy Association’s Occupational Health Physiotherapy group, as they discuss how workplaces can best respond to the challenges facing businesses in a highly mobile, hyper-connected global market.

MTalks—Student Organised Network for Architecture summer workshop • 9 Nov 2015 by MPavilion

Launch time! In 2015, MPavilion teamed up with Art Monthly Australia and the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) to create a new annual award supporting critical writing. Australian essayists were invited to submit a proposal for a piece exploring the relationship between art and design today. The inaugural recipient was Dr Julia Jones, who received $3,000 to develop her proposed essay for publication in Art Monthly Australia.

Listen back to join judge—and editor Michael Fitzgerald—for a triple-barrel event:

- The 2015 award presentation

- A reading by Dr Jones

- The launch of Art Monthly Australia’s November issue.

Happy listening #MPavilion

Become an urban beekeeper and help out the humble honey bee! Hear Swarm Trap teammates Honey Fingers and Many Many in this MMeets workshop—presented by Hotel Hotel’s new series of workshops and talks, Fix and Make—and make a swarm trap (a safe house for honey bees). You’ll learn about swarming and how swarm traps work, as well as the best time and locations to install them, before making one to take home in the hope of bee-friending your own colony. By setting up safe bee houses in our cities, our suburbs and the bush, we can prevent the destruction of bee colonies. Long live the bee.

*The workshop did not include live bees.

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Swarm Trap is a collaboration between Honey Fingers and Many Many. The project consists of a series of programs and events designed to raise awareness of Australian bees, beekeeping and bee culture.

Melbourne artist and author Tai Snaith joined us under AL_A’s canopy reading from her all-time favourite picture books about homes. Done over three readings in November and one in January, Tai looked at the different ways people live—and reads from her own book 'Sticks and Stones, Animal Homes'. Perfect listen for the young ones in your life.