Interactive Frida Kahlo Exhibition Headlines Sydney Festival

live

An interactive exhibition exploring the life and work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo has opened as a feature of Sydney Festival 2023.

The exhibition, which will be held inside the Barangaroo Cutaway, is the largest event held at the annual summer arts festival and is expected to draw thousands of visitors to the city.

Arts Minister Ben Franklin said he was thrilled to open an exhibition that would inject $3 million into the state’s economy.

“I’ve had the chance to experience it, but I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said Wednesday.

“Holograms, technology, creative spaces, ‘immersion’ and especially virtual reality.”

Tweet from @sydney_festival

One of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Frida Kahlo has had a lasting impact on popular culture and visual design.

Throughout the exhibition, Kahlo’s distinctive motifs are used to tell the story of her life. Among them, a tragic accident that happened when she was 18 left her permanently disabled and informed her experience as an artist.

Featuring nine ‘transformation spaces’ and 360-degree projections, it takes attendees to defining moments in the esteemed painter’s life and career.

Tweet from @sydney_festival

Olivia Ansel, Sydney Festival’s artistic director, said one of the great benefits of the festival is that public spaces like cutaways can be used to make art accessible to everyone.

“The festival’s catchphrase is that nowhere else can you experience an exhilarating summer of arts like Sydney,” she said.

Frida Kahlo: Life of Icon will be released daily through March 7th.

Alternatively, Kahlo fans can experience her work first-hand at the exhibition Frida & Diego: Love & Revolution, running from 24 June to 17 September at the South Australian Art Gallery.

The Sydney Festival kicks off on Thursday with 748 performances across 54 venues featuring award-winning operas, dance performances and surreal theatrical productions by author James Thierry.

The festival runs until January 29th.

-AAP