Australia Square gets one-week-only art experiences

Sydney’s iconic Australia Square office tower is hosting a pair of week-long art installations this week, as part of a new CBD revitalisation event.

Indoor and outdoor installations featuring a range of artists are now in place, and free to view until Saturday October 15, as part of the Flow and Glow event.
 
Proudly funded by the NSW Government through its CBDs Revitalisation Program, Flow and Glow is a sustainability-focused program of arts, experiences and talks in the Wynyard neighbourhood.

Australia Square’s lobby is hosting an exhibition by Sydney-based photographer and filmmaker Bartolomeo Celestino, a journey through his experience revisiting a particular spot on Sydney’s coast, day in, day out, for years.

In partnership with Art Aid – a Sydney-based, artist-driven platform committed to creating positive change – the George Street forecourt is hosting the immersive, outdoor STORYBOX walking experience.

Works from some of Australia’s most forward-thinking artists, including Chris Yee, Sarah McCloskey and Ben Brown, feature.

For every artwork from the exhibition that is sold, Art Aid will make a donation to the cause the buyer nominates at checkout.

The Harry Seidler-designed Australia Square on George Street became the nation’s first skyscraper when it opened in 1967, and art has long been part of its DNA.

American sculptor Alexander Calder’s ‘Crossed Blades’ has adorned the front of the site since 1968, while New York artist Sol LeWitt’s lobby mural has been in place for nearly two decades.

Flow and Glow, being held on October 13-14, was developed by real estate services leader CBRE in partnership with creative agencies Villa + Villa and Motti & Smith, and first held in May 2022.

“Art creates vibrancy, connects people, sparks conversations and contributes to Sydney’s unique character,” Project Director, Ash Nicholson from CBRE, said.

“I am thrilled with the art pillar in this instalment of Flow and Glow, and CBRE is proud to be able to drive charitable impact by partnering with Art Aid.”

Australia Square is joined by The Fullerton Hotel Sydney and Brookfield Place as event locations, with the latter hosting the panel discussion ‘Art in Place’ from 4pm on October 13.

Artbank’s Oliver Watts will moderate the discussion about how integrating art in placemaking can increase innovation, cultural diversity and deeper engagement.

Mr Watts will be joined by artists Noni Cragg and Tracey Deep, Sarah Hetherington from Sydney Contemporary and Owen Craven from Urban Art Projects for the hour-long session. 

Attendees can secure free Flow and Glow tickets via Eventbrite, and learn more about the event by downloading the Flow and Glow app from the Apple and Google app stores. 

The full list of artists in the Australia Square outdoor gallery is as follows: Alex Lehours, Alex Saba, Ben Brown, Ben Brown, Brett Piva, Bruno Mota, Chris Yee, Claire Foxton, David Cragg, George Goodnow, Jordache Gage, Made By Tsuki, Nico Nicoson and Sahil Roy.