Andrew McConnell Transforms NGV Garden Restaurant

Supernormal Natsu

Triennial EXTRA | 19 – 28 JANUARY 2018 (6PM – 12AM) | NGV International | FREE

NGV has announced that award-winning Melbourne chef Andrew McConnell will take over NGV's Garden Restaurant, transforming it into Supernormal Natsu from 19 to 28 January 2018. The collaboration will form part of Triennial EXTRA – a one-off, 10-day festival, featuring dance, performance, guest DJs, pop-up bars and conversations to celebrate the inaugural NGV Triennial.

Open from 12pm to 10pm daily during Triennial EXTRA, Supernormal Natsu presents a new and exclusive summer menu for NGV diners, inspired by popular Melbourne pan-Asian eatery Supernormal. Guests will be treated to an evocative culinary experience, celebrating the smells, tastes and sounds of Natsu (Japanese for -summer').

With a Japanese hibachi grill located on the terrace of the restaurant, diners can expect a delicious menu of grilled meat and seafood complemented by the finest summer ingredients. Specialty vegetable dishes are also on offer with an array of summer-inspired shaved ice desserts to finish.

Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV said of the collaboration -Andrew McConnell is one of Australia's most renowned chefs and an innovator of the culinary arts. His pioneering approach to food and dining makes him the perfect fit for the Triennial EXTRA festival and our first Triennial exhibition.'

Chef Andrew McConnell said, -The Garden Restaurant at the NGV is one of the most beautiful dining rooms in Melbourne. I am thrilled with the opportunity to work with the NGV, bringing Supernormal Natsu to St Kilda Road, exclusively for Triennial EXTRA.'

During Triennial EXTRA, the NGV will come alive with participatory and experiential events taking place throughout the exhibition and NGV Garden. The free program of art, performance, fashion, music, design and ideas will include Shakespearean excerpts performed by actors from Bell Shakespeare within the new large-scale sculptural work Mass by Ron Mueck.

Presented in collaboration with acclaimed dance company Chunky Move, EXTRA will feature a dance takeover of the NGV Triennial exhibition spaces. Curated by Chunky Move Artistic Director Anouk van Dijk the program introduces five new performance works created by Anouk van Dijk, Antony Hamilton, Prue Lang and Thomas E.S Kelly that will take audiences on a unique experience of the Triennial through dance.

Audiences can also take tours by leading scientists and technologists, writers and campaigners, including award-winning science journalist Tanya Ha and African artist collective Still Nomads who will explore themes and contexts central to the NGV Triennial including identity, technology, race and the environment.

Some of Australia's favourite musicians will take up residence as DJs during Triennial EXTRA, bringing to life Melbourne's best backyard, the NGV Garden. Highlights will include members of indie-rock group Jungle Giants, alternative band Saskwatch, singer-songwriter Dan Sultan, indie artists Cloud Control, rocker Tex Perkins, husband and wife duo Dave Graney and Clare Moore and electropop act Miami Horror.

Triennial EXTRA is open from 6pm – midnight and will run from 19 – 28 January 2018 at NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Entry to all programs and events is free.

Occurring every three years, the NGV Triennial presents an unprecedented and large-scale exhibition of international art, design and architecture opening at NGV International, 180 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, from 15 December 2017 – 15 April 2018. Entry is free.

For more information or to make a booking at Supernormal Natsu visit www.supernormalnatsu.com