MPavilion’s exciting February events calendar

By Jemma van Zaanen

MPavilion continues its ninth season at Queen Victoria Gardens in 2023 with a schedule of free thought-provoking events during February.

Located within the Southbank Arts Precinct, MPavilion is an ongoing architectural initiative of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation, designed by Bangkok-based architecture and design practice all(zone).

Throughout this month, the structure will be transformed into an experimental “Material Lab”, with more than 150 creatives involved in various events centred around a multitude of materials.

The events, which include talks, workshops, performances, and installations, will invite audiences to challenge their relationship to materials and explore ideas of a circular economy.

A panel discussing how Australia can use bio-design to help transition towards a regenerative economy, will also take place on February 14 from 6.30pm to 7.30pm, with all welcome to come and be a part of the conversation.

Included within the “Material Lab” program theme, and coming back for its fourth year, is MPavilion’s mentorship program M_Curators, which involves mentoring 10 young emerging creators interested in design, architecture and art.

As well as being shown the ins and outs of arts programming, the young creators have worked in pairs to research and interpret sustainable materials to inspire event ideas for MPavilion, led by creative director Jen Zielinska and program producer Molly Braddon.

“M_Curators was such a valuable experience in event curation and programming,” previous program participant Lily Di Sciascio said.

Collaborating with the other M_Curators, the MPavilion programming team, and my event participants has been a privilege.

MPavilion and Sustainability Victoria have also partnered together for events in late February, to explore how recycled plastics could shape the future, a topic that coincides with the state-wide ban on single use plastics from February 1.

For music lovers, the MPavilion is hosting the MMusic program throughout February with free gigs spanning several different exciting genres.

One of the events includes a DJ showcase, which will see DJs perform high energy 30-minute sets. The Daily Commute presented by the Merge will take place on February 10 from 5.30pm to 10.30pm. •

mpavilion.org