Engage in the issues that defined the first decade of the 21st Century during this entertaining series of free evening discussions at GoMA as part of the '21st Century: Art in the First Decade' exhibition. 3 March 2011 | GoMA TALKS Places | What makes up a 21st Century city and are there any boundaries? Hosted by Alan Saunders, By Design The 21st century has seen the rise of the city in unprecedented ways. In 2008, the world's population reached an extraordinary milestone, with more people across the world living in cities and towns than ever before. The 21st century has given rise to rapid expansion, 'urban sprawl', and the architectural innovations of cities such as Dubai, while others have confronted the task of rebuilding after major trauma. How is our notion of place affected by these and other issues growing out of the city in the 21st century? Guest panellists offer insight into smart, sustainable and mobile cities, the ongoing appeal of fantasy cities such as Disneyland and the hyperrealism of Las Vegas, the social implications of how our cities are designed and new ways of engaging with the places we visit. • Alan Saunders (HOST) Alan Saunders was born and educated in London. He studied philosophy at the University of Leicester, as well as Logic and Scientific Method at the London School of Economics. He came to Australia in 1981 to pursue research at the Australian National University and was subsequently awarded a PhD. Alan joined ABC Radio National in 1987 when he founded The Food Program. From 1997 to 2004, he was the presenter of The Comfort Zone, a weekly review of architecture and design, landscape and food, and in 2005 he was co-presenter of Saturday Breakfast. He continues to produce and present The Philosopher's Zone, as well as the well-renowned By Design program. • Lawrence English Lawrence English is a composer, media artist and curator. For over a decade he has been an active force in Australian sound art and experimental music. English's work includes live performance and installation to subtly transform space. He produces the annual Room40 Open Frame festival in Australia and London, and co-produces a number of others including Sound Polaroids and Liquid Architecture. English is the author of Site Listening: Brisbane 2010, a book/field guide and CD, focusing on the ideas of place, space, sound and listening. • Michael Keniger Trained in London, Professor Michael Keniger is the Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Queensland. He formerly led the University's Department of Architecture, focusing on urban change, digital techniques and architectural responses to sub-tropical climates. Keniger held the advisory position of Queensland Government Architect from 1999-2006 and was Queensland Architect of the Year in 1998. He was appointed by the Brisbane City Council as Chair of the Urban Futures Board, which gives independent advice on the city's planning decisions. • Meg Mundell New Zealand-born and Melbourne-based, Meg Mundell is an author, journalist and researcher. Her first novel, Black Glass (Scribe), is out in early March 2011, and she is currently undertaking a PhD on the intersection of place, experiential research and creative writing. Mundell contributes regularly to The Age, and her journalism and short fiction have also appeared in The Monthly, Sydney Morning Herald and Financial Review. Meg has been a Lonely Planet author, and spent five years as deputy editor of The Big Issue. She has lectured in journalism, place studies communications. • Angela Ndalianis Angela Ndalianis is Associate Professor in Cinema and Cultural Studies at the University of Melbourne. She specializes in Hollywood cinema, digital media and the convergence of popular forms such as films, computer games and comic books. Her research also explores approaches to entertainment and their history. Ndalianis is currently focusing on the history, influence and cultural significance of theme parks, which she is compiling into a book titled Sectopolis: Theme Park Culture | EXHIBITION WEBSITE | http://qag.qld.gov.au/exhibitions/current/21st_Century | EXHIBITION PHOTOSTREAM | http://www.flickr.com/photos/queenslandartgallery

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