It happens every two years - the 18th Biennale of Sydney

Every so often we get to enjoy the perks of our job. 

Currently the joy of my day revolves around a certain espresso machine which doesn't argue when I go back for a double shot. Yesterday my never ending latte was superseded by a amazing sneak peak tour of the 18th Biennale of Sydney.

Yesterday saw me tagging along with the guys from Chatterbox on Aurora Community Channel. The day started at the newly refurbed MCA at Circular Quay

Co-Artistic Director Catherine De Zegher with Chatterbox's Andy Minh Trieu.

Lee Mingwei - The Mending Project

Exploring new ideas from unexpected voices around the world, the 18th Biennale of Sydney showcases more than 220 works by over 100 artists hailing from Australia, New Zealand, the Asia Pacific, the Americas, Europe, South Africa and the Middle East. Nearly half the artists have created works specifically for this exhibition, including many substantial collaborative installations.

Entering the Fog

Complete sensory deprevation

From the MCA we boarded the ferry and headed off for Cockatoo Island. The biennale encompasses a number of sites across the city of Sydney, including the Art Gallery of New South Wales; the newly redeveloped Museum of Contemporary Art Australia; World Heritage-listed former shipyard and prison, Cockatoo Island; and Pier 2/3 in Walsh Bay. For the first time, Redfern-based arts institution Carriageworks is a presenting partner.

Ornate metal work carved from a ex-shipping container

Cockatoo Island is always a intriguing place to visit, and ironically perfect choice for a exhibition. Luca Belgiorno-Nettis chair of the Biennale and son of the founder Franco Belgiorno-Nettis put it perfectly when referencing the sites industrious past - 'a juxtaposition of the overtly useful with the overtly useless..'

Launch refreshments

Co-curators Catherine de Zegher and Gerald McMaster

What you've seen here is just a tip of the ice berg. I can't recommend strongly enough how worthwhile it is to do the tour and see everything in the 18th Biennale of Sydney. The exhibition starts today 27th July 2012 and runs to 16th September 2012 www.bos18.com