Criticism Now

A passionate panel of international and local arts critics debate the nature – and future – of arts criticism, right now. While we find new ways to respond to the art around us, what’s happening to formal criticism? As the digital world sees traditional publications dwindle, and self-published opinions proliferate, arts criticism finds itself in a precarious position. The new landscape might be more democratic, but what does it mean for criticism as a profession? Has the critic become an endangered species? Moderator Katrina Sedgwick leads the discussion with guests Alice Rawsthorn (UK), Yun-Cheol Kim (Korea), Deborah Jones, Jane Howard and Dylan Rainforth.

This morning, we’ll be talking about three amazing visual art exhibitions: Making Models: The Collaborative Art of Wendy Ewald, by the award-winning American photographer, The Somali Peace Band, a remarkable chronicle of a musical collaboration that reaches across the Indian Ocean, presented by Australian artist Royce Ng, and Disarm, Pedro Reyes’ uplifting vision of a world free from weapons and full of music. Read our writers' reviews and join the discussion around these amazing exhibitions on this website.

This morning, we’ll be talking about The Shadow King, an explosive Indigenous reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy, King Lear. A powerful melding of Shakespearian pathos with Aboriginal language, music and dance, The Shadow King recasts King Lear as a sprawling, blood-soaked tale of two Indigenous families in Australia’s north. Read our writers' reviews and join the discussion around The Shadow King on this website.

Sometimes, the best part of seeing a show is the conversation it sparks. Our series of ‘morning after’ breakfast events invites you to join a selection of writers, critics and arts lovers to dissect selected Melbourne Festival shows, sharing views on what worked, what didn’t – and why. Each Morning After session will pair one or more of our creative writers with established critics to talk about what they’ve seen. Come and debrief in a relaxed, informal atmosphere – the perfect way to share ideas and inspiration about art. This morning, we’ll be talking about the Quartets at Sunset concert series. Reviving Melbourne Festival’s tradition of sunset chamber music, this series sees acclaimed local and international quartets performing in the acoustically delightful surrounds of the Collins Street Baptist Church. Read our writers' reviews and join the discussion around Quartets at Sunset on this website.

This morning, we’ll be talking about PUSH, a breathtaking, multi-award-winning collaboration between two of contemporary dance’s brightest stars – Sylvie Guillem and Russell Maliphant. PUSH presents four dance works by acclaimed UK choreographer, Russell Maliphant, across three solos and one duet. Read our writers' reviews and join the discussion around PUSH on this website.

In this session, we talk about Minsk, 2011: A Reply to Kathy Acker, an urgent broadside on life in Belarus’s capital: a place where sexuality is twisted by oppression, and strip clubs, underground raves and gay pride parades pulse beneath the city’s surface. Minsk, 2011 is undaunted protest turned heart-wrenching confessional, produced by a theatre company in exile, banned from performing in its heartland. Read our writers' reviews and join the discussion around Minsk, 2011 on this website.