Join us for a closing party of sorts, celebrating a piece of architecture that was – Nic Brunsdon's (This is) Air – and Mess Books' book of the same name.

(This is) Air is Brunsdon's 2023 NGV Architecture Commission, and until recently stood in that institution's garden as a provocation to visitors to consider the universal matter that binds us all. Harnessing air as a building material to take form as a large sphere that inflates (inhales) and deflates (exhales) on a natural, looping rhythm, the work made the invisible seen, felt and heard, drawing attention to air as agent, air as force, air as collective (and increasingly threatened) resource. It also offered moments of joy and lightness in its at times unpredictable poetics.

Featuring project working materials and documentation, as well as contributions from the likes of Jessica Kwok (Storefront for Art and Architecture, NYC), Mark Jacques (RMIT, Openwork) and Dr Timothy Moore (NGV, Sibling Architecture), the book is an expanded archive of (This is) Air. At its core, it is a book that calls upon us to reconsider the way we think about one of the defining features of life on earth – breathing air – and the relationship of our architecture to it.

(This is) Air the book was released in April and Brunsdon's work – a summer commission – has now taken its final exhale. We want to celebrate!

Join us for a special double header event in collaboration with our friends at Spacemarket. First, join Nic Brunsdon and book editor Emma Pegrum for a short conversation hosted by community advocate, artist and shop owner Kate Hulett, then celebrate with Spacemarket as they launch their new brand and vision for the future of their work transforming underutilised spaces into centres of creativity, culture and community. Afterwards, stay for drinks and chats on the balcony overlooking High Street, courtesy Shelter Brewing.

[EVENT TIMES]

4:30pm: Doors open
4:45pm: (This is) Air Talk
5:30pm: Q&A
5:45 – 6:30pm: Spacemarket Event
6:30pm: Balcony Drinks
8:00pm: Event finishes