Performance artists, freak puppets: The strange battle to revive our nights out
Not since Melbourne's boy from Sunshine, the late Leigh Bowery, stormed London's '80s club scene in a floral gimp mask, matching ball gown and jaunty, spiked Pickelhelm, has a night out been quite so eye-popping. A new generation of 'Club Kids' is defying the demise of Australian nightlife. Millennials, Gen Zs and a couple of Xers are flocking to avant-garde-themed club nights, from the risqué Heaps Gay parties in Sydney to the mayhem of Melbourne's subversive, grotesque Golden Scissor Puppets.
Sydney filmmaker and club promoter Dan Neeson, who started out as a tea boy on a Kylie Minogue video, is the son (and spitting image) of Aussie rock legend Doc Neeson of The Angels. Neeson and his partner, fashion designer Alvi Chung, are behind the club-night Wings, which combines performance art (including naked acrobats), music and fashion. Last month, they held a counter-offensive to 'corporatised' Australian Fashion Week at millionaire-publican Diane Maloney's lavishly refurbished, art-deco Plaza Hotel in the heart of Sydney. It was a hit.
Models for Ella Jackson's label, Catholic Guilt – a favourite of US starlet Julia Fox – wore chainmail couture, which inspired seasoned socialite and Real Housewives of Sydney alumni, Terry Biviano, to rush backstage to get one. She wore the 15-kilogram gown to the swanky Silver Party fundraiser at Justin Hemmes' Hermitage estate a few days later. Afterwards, Minichiello used pliers to get her out of the creation, which took 700 hours to make.
'Rave, runway, ritual: we're the antithesis of the big, corporate-owned, soulless beer barns that have taken over our cities,' says Neeson, who credits his late father for inspiring him 'to think big' and calls Maloney his 'fairy godmother' for her generosity with the venue. Neeson and Chung are planning a Melbourne Wings launch, but they'll meet competition from the likes of locals Will and Garrett Huxley's high-camp duo act, The Huxleys, as well as newcomer Opal Crafter, founder of Golden Scissor Puppets and creator of the life-size puppet, Igor.
Crafter's troupe of 50 'freak' puppets create chaos as the giant, not-so-cuddly creatures glide across stages, interrupting performances and taking over dance floors. Crafter says it's all intended to 'make people smile'. 'We're from a generation of AI perfection,' Crafter says, citing Leigh Bowery as a creative inspiration. 'We create a space for the imperfect, for the hand-made, and celebrate everything that's human in all its wonderful, weird variations.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Courier-Mail
8 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
YouTube gave this autistic teen a voice. The government is about to mute it
Don't miss out on the headlines from Parenting. Followed categories will be added to My News. Bec Ridley's son spent years searching for where he fit in. He finally found it online. But for kids like him, that digital world is about to be unplugged for good. Under sweeping new laws coming into effect this December, YouTube will be added to the Australian government's ban on social media platforms for under-16s. But for Hudson, 15, it doesn't take into account his reality. 'On a piece of paper from a psychiatrist, he had been diagnosed as being severely impaired socially,' Bec told Kidspot 'But online he came alive.' Hudson with his mum and siblings. Image: Supplied Want to join the family? Sign up to our Kidspot newsletter for more stories like this. "He's almost at 100,000 subscribers" Hudson has been diagnosed with autism. For much of his early life, socialising in person felt impossible. The world moved too slowly for his brain, too confusingly for his heart. But behind a screen he found something that had always eluded him: connection. 'You've got a child who, in a room, doesn't want to be seen and online, he wants all the attention,' the mum of six said. At just 14 years old, Hudson logged on for the first time. What began as a quiet creative outlet quickly turned into something bigger. He shared gaming content, built a community, and connected in a powerful way. Within two years, he was climbing global rankings, earning income, and even helping other kids learn to play. 'He's almost at 100,000 subscribers,' Bec said. 'He's earning money, he's strategic about how he grows the channel, and he even did a school presentation about his analytics. He's thriving.' How to talk to your kids about the YouTube ban Start conversations early, before the December ban comes into effect. Find a 'power-down' strategy that suits your family Use this as a teachable moment to build healthy, lifelong digital habits Have regular, open conversations about online content and usage Replace screen time with family activities or hobbies Create a safe, judgment-free space so kids feel comfortable sharing concerns Keep routines consistent to reduce resistance and tech tantrums For more info and support, visit Source: Carol Markie-Dadds, Triple P International Country Director RELATED: Why banning YouTube will hurt curious kids like mine "Critical for different learning styles" It's a far cry from the parent Bec once imagined she'd be. 'I didn't even have a telly for 10 years,' she joked. 'I was a hippie-dippy homeschooling mum.' Screens weren't part of the plan. But when Hudson expressed his desire to be on YouTube, Bec made the decision to let him try. The skills he's gained from YouTube are now showing up in the real world, too. 'It's built his confidence. It's grown him as an individual,' she said. But as the government moves to tighten control over young people's access to social media, Bec worries kids like Hudson will be left behind. 'It would be really critical for different learning styles,' she said. 'I do believe everyone's brains are built so differently.' Trending in Parenting Stop criticising grandparents giving you free childcare I'm scared the YouTube ban will crush my son's curiosity RELATED: My daughter wants a YouTube channel – I'm really not sure For Hudson, YouTube has been a tool for expression, education, and connection. While many kids might use the platform to pass time, for neurodivergent children it can offer something far more profound: belonging. And cutting the cord, Bec warns, could come at a cost. Especially to the next generation of content creators, critical thinkers, and kids still trying to find where they fit. 'I think it would be very detrimental for my son to lose this tool. And though he would still be great, YouTube helps him excel to this next version of himself,' she explained. Hudson, who once struggled to speak up in real-life settings, is now mentoring others, tracking data, and exploring future job opportunities, all through a platform that may soon be off-limits to kids like him, and the kids who come after. 'Not everyone fits the same cookie cutter at all,' Bec pointed out. Originally published as YouTube gave this autistic teen a voice. The government is about to mute it
Sydney Morning Herald
8 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Like seeing society unravel': Kirsha Kaechele's unlikely return to the Gold Coast is a genius fit
The first time Kirsha Kaechele visited the Gold Coast, on one of her early trips to Australia about 15 years ago, she was mortified. 'I was depressed. I felt suicidal. I thought, 'this is the fall of Western Civilisation',' the American-born artist and curator says. Whether earnest or exaggerated (with Kaechele, the line is often imperceptible), her frank impression cuts to a familiar feeling. For all its beauty, gaudiness remains a hallmark of Queensland's storied Glitter Strip. 'I walked the mall and must have passed a McDonald's or some kind of fast food chain,' Kaechele says. 'I felt like I was seeing society unravel … I vowed never to come back.' Kaechele, now an Australian resident after marrying Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) founder David Walsh in 2014, has evidently faltered on her pledge, returning to the Gold Coast for the interstate debut of Ladies Lounge, one of her most celebrated works. The living installation, part of Mona's program since 2020 and the source of much controversy, including two court cases, will enjoy a 10-day residence at the Home of the Arts (HOTA) as part of this year's Bleach* festival. 'I got a call from [Brisbane artist and Bleach* artistic director] Michael Zavros, whom I respect and adore as an artist, and he asked if I would participate in this exhibition,' Kaechele explains. 'He had been forced by his daughters to invite me. [They] really run the show.' Loading In contrast to her views on Cavill Avenue, Kaechele speaks highly of HOTA – 'this museum is excellent,' she says – and the city's suitability to host her work. 'I've always been attracted to a challenging or unlikely context for my work,' she says. 'As a cultural destination, I had no interest whatsoever in visiting the Gold Coast. But as a context for artwork, I found it fascinating and far more interesting than other invitations I received from Sydney or Melbourne.' Kaechele was taken by the city's reputation for 'toxic masculinity' and flagrant displays of shirtless machismo, but first she wanted Gold Coast City Mayor Tom Tate's blessing. 'We met for drinks – he slammed cognacs, I slammed margaritas,' Kaechele says, though the mayor's team did not verify this anecdote. 'I expressed that I was really concerned about the possibility of the Gold Coast being sued. This is a public institution, it's not Mona, so there's a responsibility in taking on an artwork like this.' Last year, NSW man Jason Lau complained to Equal Opportunity Tasmania after being denied entry to the Ladies Lounge – an art-filled space that only admits women – during a visit to Mona in April 2023. The matter was referred to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and Mona was ordered to either close, remove, reform or allow men to enter the lounge. Kaechele opted to close the space and appeal to the Supreme Court of Tasmania. In September, Acting Justice Shane Marshall ruled the lounge was not in breach of anti-discrimination law and permitted the installation to re-open and continue refusing entry to men. According to Kaechele, Tate was not dissuaded by the legal saga, even volunteering to be a butler, a role that sees men permitted to the lounge to dote on female guests, pouring champagne and offering massages. Kaechele is adamant Tate will make a cameo as a butler, alongside American contemporary artist Jeff Koons, who also features on the Bleach* lineup. Tate, meanwhile, tells this masthead: 'I did apply for the butler job at the Ladies Lounge, but I was rejected!' As for what visitors can expect, Kaechele says the Gold Coast installation maintains its original vision, 'to create a special, intimate and deeply bonding experience for women' and 'an experience of rejection for men'. It's an important part of the work, she says, though she adds her exclusionary stance has somewhat softened as a result of court proceedings. 'I heard men when they said they were upset that they couldn't come in, so I've adjusted the artwork slightly to include a butler training area outside of the Ladies Lounge, where men may apply for a position.' This will see men practice their massage and ironing skills, the latter while holding a 'baby' in the form of a smooth solid bronze sculpture. 'The ones who are really good at all of the tasks, and look good in a tuxedo and have wonderful manners … can come in as butlers,' Kaechele says. Loading The Ladies Lounge will be accompanied by The Complaints Department, a new installation from Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist and long-time collaborator Tora López. Described as Severance meets customer service centre, the performance piece is an invitation for anyone to air their frustrations, so long as they have direct experience and knowledge of the issue they are complaining about. López said the project was born out of an 'intense' legal housing situation in New York. 'I had to complain so much through city agencies and through a lawyer,' she explains. 'So I got interested in complaining and learning how to complain, and what makes a good complaint.' Kaechele is no stranger to complaints, and has welcomed criticism of her work, including during her legal dispute with Lau. 'He's the Ladies Lounge's Prince Charming. He kissed the work and brought it to life,' she says. 'If it wasn't for Jason Lau, the work would have had a much smaller life.' And if she's worried about how a feminist work might land in a once-detested destination teeming with hypermasculity, she certainly doesn't show it. 'It's the most uncomfortable piece I've ever done, [and] for the questioning visitor, there are many problematic layers,' Kaechele says. 'But a key part of the work, and maybe my favourite part, is that I really enjoy myself. I'm a hedonist, so I love going in, getting my feet massaged, looking at these handsome men, watching them strip down and having them serve me … it's truly beautiful and transformative.'
The Age
8 hours ago
- The Age
‘Like seeing society unravel': Kirsha Kaechele's unlikely return to the Gold Coast is a genius fit
The first time Kirsha Kaechele visited the Gold Coast, on one of her early trips to Australia about 15 years ago, she was mortified. 'I was depressed. I felt suicidal. I thought, 'this is the fall of Western Civilisation',' the American-born artist and curator says. Whether earnest or exaggerated (with Kaechele, the line is often imperceptible), her frank impression cuts to a familiar feeling. For all its beauty, gaudiness remains a hallmark of Queensland's storied Glitter Strip. 'I walked the mall and must have passed a McDonald's or some kind of fast food chain,' Kaechele says. 'I felt like I was seeing society unravel … I vowed never to come back.' Kaechele, now an Australian resident after marrying Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) founder David Walsh in 2014, has evidently faltered on her pledge, returning to the Gold Coast for the interstate debut of Ladies Lounge, one of her most celebrated works. The living installation, part of Mona's program since 2020 and the source of much controversy, including two court cases, will enjoy a 10-day residence at the Home of the Arts (HOTA) as part of this year's Bleach* festival. 'I got a call from [Brisbane artist and Bleach* artistic director] Michael Zavros, whom I respect and adore as an artist, and he asked if I would participate in this exhibition,' Kaechele explains. 'He had been forced by his daughters to invite me. [They] really run the show.' Loading In contrast to her views on Cavill Avenue, Kaechele speaks highly of HOTA – 'this museum is excellent,' she says – and the city's suitability to host her work. 'I've always been attracted to a challenging or unlikely context for my work,' she says. 'As a cultural destination, I had no interest whatsoever in visiting the Gold Coast. But as a context for artwork, I found it fascinating and far more interesting than other invitations I received from Sydney or Melbourne.' Kaechele was taken by the city's reputation for 'toxic masculinity' and flagrant displays of shirtless machismo, but first she wanted Gold Coast City Mayor Tom Tate's blessing. 'We met for drinks – he slammed cognacs, I slammed margaritas,' Kaechele says, though the mayor's team did not verify this anecdote. 'I expressed that I was really concerned about the possibility of the Gold Coast being sued. This is a public institution, it's not Mona, so there's a responsibility in taking on an artwork like this.' Last year, NSW man Jason Lau complained to Equal Opportunity Tasmania after being denied entry to the Ladies Lounge – an art-filled space that only admits women – during a visit to Mona in April 2023. The matter was referred to the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and Mona was ordered to either close, remove, reform or allow men to enter the lounge. Kaechele opted to close the space and appeal to the Supreme Court of Tasmania. In September, Acting Justice Shane Marshall ruled the lounge was not in breach of anti-discrimination law and permitted the installation to re-open and continue refusing entry to men. According to Kaechele, Tate was not dissuaded by the legal saga, even volunteering to be a butler, a role that sees men permitted to the lounge to dote on female guests, pouring champagne and offering massages. Kaechele is adamant Tate will make a cameo as a butler, alongside American contemporary artist Jeff Koons, who also features on the Bleach* lineup. Tate, meanwhile, tells this masthead: 'I did apply for the butler job at the Ladies Lounge, but I was rejected!' As for what visitors can expect, Kaechele says the Gold Coast installation maintains its original vision, 'to create a special, intimate and deeply bonding experience for women' and 'an experience of rejection for men'. It's an important part of the work, she says, though she adds her exclusionary stance has somewhat softened as a result of court proceedings. 'I heard men when they said they were upset that they couldn't come in, so I've adjusted the artwork slightly to include a butler training area outside of the Ladies Lounge, where men may apply for a position.' This will see men practice their massage and ironing skills, the latter while holding a 'baby' in the form of a smooth solid bronze sculpture. 'The ones who are really good at all of the tasks, and look good in a tuxedo and have wonderful manners … can come in as butlers,' Kaechele says. Loading The Ladies Lounge will be accompanied by The Complaints Department, a new installation from Brooklyn-based multidisciplinary artist and long-time collaborator Tora López. Described as Severance meets customer service centre, the performance piece is an invitation for anyone to air their frustrations, so long as they have direct experience and knowledge of the issue they are complaining about. López said the project was born out of an 'intense' legal housing situation in New York. 'I had to complain so much through city agencies and through a lawyer,' she explains. 'So I got interested in complaining and learning how to complain, and what makes a good complaint.' Kaechele is no stranger to complaints, and has welcomed criticism of her work, including during her legal dispute with Lau. 'He's the Ladies Lounge's Prince Charming. He kissed the work and brought it to life,' she says. 'If it wasn't for Jason Lau, the work would have had a much smaller life.' And if she's worried about how a feminist work might land in a once-detested destination teeming with hypermasculity, she certainly doesn't show it. 'It's the most uncomfortable piece I've ever done, [and] for the questioning visitor, there are many problematic layers,' Kaechele says. 'But a key part of the work, and maybe my favourite part, is that I really enjoy myself. I'm a hedonist, so I love going in, getting my feet massaged, looking at these handsome men, watching them strip down and having them serve me … it's truly beautiful and transformative.'
