Style is often derided as superficial fluff, mere decorative nonsense that distracts us from what’s important. Yet, some of the greatest minds in history...

HOW STYLE CAN SAVE THE WORLD

Location:

Level 6 Terrace Entrance (Circular Quay West Side)
2000 NSW
Australia

Style

Featuring

Royce Akers

Royce Akers

Creative Director, VICE Australia and New Zealand

As Creative Director for Australia/new Zealand, Akers works across Asia Pacific, spearheading an award-winning breadth of creative work, from content to experiential activations and beyond.

Emily Parsons-Lord

Emily Parsons-Lord

Artist

Emily Parsons-Lord makes ephemeral installations and performances that are informed by research and critical dialogue with climate sciences, natural history, and politics.

Miss Blanks

Miss Blanks

Musician

Not only recognised as a musician but as a prominent industry voice, activist and writer, Miss Blanks has established herself as one of the most important voices among the Australian music landscape.

Ben Thompson

Ben Thomson

Designer & Photographer

A multidisciplinary designer and photographer, influenced heavily by mental health and access.

Scott Marsh

Scott Marsh

Artist

As a leading figure in the rise of graffiti-based art, Marsh’s subject matter is a juxtaposition of classic ‘high-art’ themes (still life, and the female nude) with contemporary motifs derived from his years as a graffiti writer.

Access and Inclusion

  • Wheelchair Accessible - Access to the venue is suitable for wheelchairs (toilets, ramps/lifts etc.) and designated wheelchair spaces are available.

Event Details

Style is often derided as superficial fluff, mere decorative nonsense that distracts us from what’s important. Yet, some of the greatest minds in history cause us to think otherwise. Not only does style make life more pleasant and products more palatable, it's fundamental to human happiness.

In his book The Architecture of Happiness, Alain de Botton explores the connection between design and happiness. Are the two inextricably linked? Absolutely, he says. “Beauty has a huge role to play in altering our mood,” he says. “When we call a chair or a house beautiful, really what we're saying is that we like the way of life it's suggesting to us. It has an attitude we're attracted to.”

But can style do something beyond making life prettier and more enjoyable? Can it save the world? 

We argue that it already has, many times over.

  • Through the style of his syntax, Kendrick Lamar has mobilised millions of young people on the topic of racial politics.
  • 1940s fashion was at the forefront of the Women's Liberation movement.
  • Steve Jobs invented fonts because he understood what programmers didn't. Style motivates us to be creative and productive.
  • Punk, through its anti-style approach to creation, has powered activism and driven change.

Virtue brings together tastemakers of high and low style to unpack the potential of style to do real good in the world. Explore how — if we're ever going to stave off impending doom — style is our starting point. Find out why style doesn't just matter, it’s essential. 

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Access and Inclusion

  • Wheelchair Accessible - Access to the venue is suitable for wheelchairs (toilets, ramps/lifts etc.) and designated wheelchair spaces are available.