The Thousands

It’s hard to explain to the well-meaning enquirer at a family barbeque how exactly you gauge ‘success’ in the art world. The art world is baffling to navigate. Which are the right exhibitions, the right curators, the right galleries? How do you know you are one of the right artists? Biennales, triennales, art fairs and survey shows – that’s how.

The New New is a project of gargantuan scale. It’s spread over twelve venues and includes fourty-four local artists. Designed to promote the worth of Adelaide’s oft-maligned cultural life, The New New will also inevitably be a source of excellent gossip. ‘Why was x included in the show and not y?’ ‘Surely y is not ‘new’?’ ‘I wonder if they’ll have special hor d’œurves?’

Regardless of the politics and complimentary refreshments, The New New is something really exciting. From the logistical point of view alone it’s thrilling – twelve sponsors, seven public art pieces and god knows how much wrangling. But really, it’s a chance to see what contemporary artists in Adelaide – often the best of whom show primarily interstate – are really doing.