Documentary Australia Foundation

Sculpture by the Sea : 10th Anniversary

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Synopsis

SCULPTURE BY THE SEA (SXS) is a unique sculpture exhibition along the Bondi Beach to Tamarama coastal walk, Sydney Australia. The annual exhibiton had it's 10th anniversary in November 2006 featuring 108 works by artists from 15 different countries of the globe. It was conceived by David Handley in 1997, as a temporary one day exhibition that would marry sculptural works with Australia's sublime coastal landscape. Ten years on the exhibition has evolved into a bi –coastal series of annual exhibitions in Bondi and in Cottesloe, Western Australia, that captures the imagination of the Nation.

Using archival footage and interviews, the film follows the journey of David Handley Axel Arnott and their team at Sculpture by the Sea to show how and why this event has become a unique Arts success story. As well the film looks at what the future might hold for Arts patronage and Government assistance.

Impact

The Sculpture by the Sea documentary was created to celebrate these inspiring and exciting exhibitions, and to provoke discussion about Arts funding in general.
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Sculpture by the Sea has not just survived, but thrived but what is most remarkable, is the exhibition has been created and sustained without any Government assistance. Instead of an Arts event that is foisted upon a community, Sculpture by the Sea has been embraced by both the residents, visitors and artists, both locally and internationally, and it has become known as "The People's Show". Whilst there are many reasons for this, one of the main reasons is that the exhibition can be all things to all people and allows the public to interact with the works of art, the artists, and each other, quite unlike any gallery or performance work event. Even the photographic competition entices the public to be creative themselves. It offers a unique opportunity to Sydney school children to interact with the works on display and learn from a rich variety of artists in the set workshops. As well they take home their own masterpieces!

Whilst Sydney City is indeed one the most beautiful Cities on earth, it is not known for its public Art. Sculpture by the Sea is beginning to educate the public and the corporate world about the pluses of living in and around Art. The new permanent sculpture Park at Middle Head in Sydney will be somewhat different to the Bondi and Cottesloe exhibitions, in that there will always be sculptural works on site, although the number and actual works will change depending on loans, purchases and grant.,br>
Philanthropy is much prized overseas, but philanthropic education in Australia is vital for our private donors, corporations, councils and government if Australian Art is to sponsored with pride and at a realistic level. Sculpture by the Sea is one the few internationally recognised Australian Arts events, and is a wonderful example of how one person's idea to combine Art of man and Art of Nature, created a new Art-form in itself.

The number of visitors to the exhibition has been climbing each year. Approximately 500,000 people visited the 2006 Bondi Exhibition. Each year over 600 entries compete for a place. The total number of entries accepted is around 108.

The 2007 Cottesloe exhibition had approximately 100,000 visitors.

The film is available for purchase on DVD through www.rebelstudio.com.au. For educational markets it will be available through the Australian Teachers of Media at www.theeducationshop.com.au and through Contemporary Arts Media at www.contemporaryartsmedia.com.au. Outside Australia it is available for digital download through Total Video www.totalvid.com (which can also be accessed through www.rebelstudio.com.au)

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