Is Art Relevant Today? Debate at Monster Bar

The panel will explore art within contemporary society and its cultural and social relevance. Leading social and academic figures will discuss and debate what art means to us. Is art the provenance of the elite, or is it something more fundamental to who we are? Join this diverse and informed body for what promises to be an engaging debate. The debate is part of the Art, Not Apart festival. For more information on visit http://artnotapart.com/ The Panel Professor Chris McAuliffe (Chair) has recently been appointed as the Head of Research at the School of Art. A graduate of the University of Melbourne and of Harvard University, Dr McAuliffe has a long involvement in Australian contemporary art as a curator, historian and commentator. Anne Brennan is an artist and writer. She is Senior Lecturer in Art History and Theory as well as the School of Art Undergraduate Convenor. Anne’s research interests focus on history, memory and commemoration; she is especially interested in the way in which these are configured in public artifacts and institutions, such as the museum and the memorial Dr Christopher Chapman is Senior Curator at the National Portrait Gallery where he has produced major exhibitions exploring diverse experiences of selfhood and identity. Christopher has held curatorial roles at the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of South Australia. He has lectured in visual arts and culture for the Australian National University. Associate Professor Denise Ferris is Head of the School of Art and an active artist in the area of photography. Ferris’ photographs are held in public collections in Australia and overseas, including the Australian War Memorial, the National Gallery of Australia and the National Library of Australia. Dr Rohan Nicol is a craftsman, designer, academic and curator. His practice and research spans jewellery, silversmithing and design. He is currently head of Gold and Silversmithing and Design Arts coordinator at the ANU School of Art. He has been the recipient of numerous awards including the prestigious Bombay Sapphire Design Award as well as funding to conduct research from the Australia Council and Australian Universities. His work is held in public and private collections including the Powerhouse Museum and the National Gallery of Australia. Professor Tim Senden is the Deputy Director of Technology Development at the Research School of Physics and Engineering, Australian National University. Trained as a experimental surface chemist his research ranges from the fundamental, such as using the Atomic Force Microscope to stretch single molecules, the clinical use of nanoparticles, to the very applied including a spin-out company which uses 3D X-ray scanning to improve oil recovery. He is passionate about building collaborative links between the arts and the sciences. Chris Wallace is a cultural and political commentator and writer, currently completing her doctorate at the National Centre of Biography ANU. She is a longstanding member of the Canberra Press Gallery and has worked extensively across all media. She is the author of biographical works on Germaine Greer and Don Bradman, and of "Megalomania: 33 Years of posters at Megalo Print Studio 1980-213". She writes a weekly culture column for the Canberra Times.