English and the Journey

This term we feature new articles on several texts including: Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Emma.
See item descriptions 2511-2516.

Drama

We take a look at Irish drama with reviews of Brian Friel's Dancing at Lughnasa (Item 2492) and Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Item 2493)
Stephen Rea's controversial revision of Sean O'Casey's The plough and the Stars is discussed in 2490. Eugene O'neill's classic Desire under the Elms is reviewed in 2491.

Dance

We have included three new articles on dance including works on choreographers Merce Cunningham and Nacho Duato. (Items 2497-2499)

Modern History

Articles 2500 and 2501 look at the role of young people in Hitler's Germany, from the Hitler Youth to the Swing Youth who resisted Nazi control over their leisure pursuits. The little known Nazi project of "Hashude" which aimed to rehabilitate "asocials" is uncovered in item 2502.

Ancient History

Childhood and childrearing in the Roman Empire are the focus of item 2504. At the other end of the scale, item 2505 looks at old age in Ancient Rome and how it relates to our attitudes towards aging today. The role and treatment of slaves in Pompeii is discussed in depth in item 2506.

Biology

A recent study into antibiotics is discussed in item 2508. Item 2509 looks at new research on interbreeding in human evolution. A new programme in the US monitoring diseases in animals as a potential warning system for outbreaks of diseases such as bird flu in humans is described in item 2510.

Studies of Religion

Items 2526 to 2528 look at Islam and Hinduism from very different perspectives. The first is an interview with a New Zealand Army officer who converted to Islam.

Human rights and the teachings of the Hindu and Muslim scriptures are discussed in item 2527. Item 2528 looks at the phenomenon of the Fulla doll, Barbie's latest rival in the Middle East who wears the Muslim hijab and comes with her own prayer mat.

News From the State Library of NSW

Exhibitions

Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2006

The Doug Moran National Portrait Prize is a biennial competition featuring a diverse and vibrant collection of 30 Australian portraits selected for the exhibition. The winner receives $100 000, making this the richest portrait prize in the world.
Open 11 March to 30 April 2006

Nelson Meers Foundation Heritage Collection

New items on display from the Library's treasures include 17th century maps of the Australian coastline; original sketches for The Magic Pudding; 19th century photographs of Parramatta people; and architectural sketches of early Australian buildings.
www.sl.nsw.gov.au/heritage

First sight: the Dutch mapping of Australia 1606-1697

To celebrate the 400th anniversary of the first European discovery of Australia, by Willem Jansz in March 1606, the Library will display some of its rarest and most valuable treasures relating to the Dutch charting of our coasts in the 17th century. These include Tasman's manuscript journal of 1642-43; the unique Bonaparte map recording Tasman's voyage of 1644; and Hessel Gerritsz's very rare chart of c. 1628.
Open 6 March to 4 June

Upcoming events at the State Library of NSW

Bookings are recommended for all events. Phone (02) 9273 1770 or email bookings@sl.nsw.gov.au (Full time students are eligible for the concession price, but must show ID on entry).

Fashion, film & Moore

David Moore: 100 photographs

Enjoy this after-hours look at David Moore's personal top 100 photographs. Over a 50-year period, the legendary Moore produced many iconic images through his unique vision of Australia. There is a talk at 6 pm each night by Alan Davies, State Library Curator of Photographs.
Thursday 16 & Thursday 23 February 5pm - 9pm
Free.

Rock photo show

Rock photographer Sophie Howarth is the official tour photographer for the Big Day Out festival and she is well known and respected in the music industry. Sophie will share her photographs of the festival. Followed by a screening of the classic spoof rock doco This is Spinal Tap.
Thursday 16 February, 6.30pm - 7.30pm
$16.50, $11
Film screening: 7.45 pm to 9 pm
Free

Fashion photo show

Leading Australian fashion photographers will take you down the runway from recent fashion and hair shows here and overseas, and into the studios of Vogue and Harpers Bazaar for a fascinating insight into this dynamic industry. Followed by a screening of the hilarious fashion industry send-up Zoolander
Thursday 23 February, 6.30 pm - 7.30 pm
Film screening: 7.45pm-9pm
Free.

Art Gallery of NSW

Artexpress

A dynamic and popular exhibition featuring outstanding student works for HSC Visual Arts, 2005. The exhibition is accompanied by the new InsideARTEXPRESS interactive website.
4 February - 9 April

Self Portrait: Renaissance to contemporary

This major exhibition brings together painted self-portraits by some of the world's greatest artists from the mid 16th Century to the beginning of the 21st Century. Major works by artists renowned for their self-portraits such as Velásquez, van Gogh and Kahlo feature alongside works by less well-known artists, whose self-portraits are of exceptional quality and interest. The international range of artists represented also includes Carracci, Cézanne, Close, Freud, Hogarth, Reynolds, Rubens, Warhol, Whistler, Valadon and Hopper.
17 February - 4 May

Contacting Infocus:

Please note that Infocus has two phone numbers:

For inquiries related to orders and invoices please call (02) 9273 1769

For topic suggestions or general Infocus inquiries please call (02) 9273 1519

Or you can email us: infocus@sl.nsw.gov.au

Mailing Address

Infocus: linking people and information
State Library of New South Wales
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Fax: 02 9273 1248