Social Diary's Polite Society - November

Is an artwork created by AI really… art? Can machine learning ever be truly creative? If you’re in the mood for some serious existential contemplation – or just enjoy mind-bending multimedia – take a trip to the MCA’s 2025–26 Sydney International Art Series, Data Dreams: Art and AI. Ten artists from all over the world have created installations, AI-generated films and sculpture that explore the potential of AI to enhance our understand of art and humanity. Our pick? Polish artist Agnieszka Kurant’s liquid crystal painting that changes in response to emotional data collected from millions of social media accounts… MCA, November 21-April 26, 2026

With over 200 exhibitors, Finders Keepers Market at Carriageworks is the perfect place to shop unique Christmas presents, from cute cards to Coral Covey jewellery (and yes, now is the time to start your shopping). In Melbourne, the Alliance Français Christmas Market returns to the suitably atmospheric Abbotsford Convent with a très jolie selection of wares, including crepes, cute little tees and delicious crusty baguettes to nibble while browsing the stalls. November 14-16, Sydney; November 22-23, Melbourne

Just two years after its acclaimed season at the Neilson Nutshell, Bell Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet returns to the Opera House. We can hardly imagine the challenge of creating a ‘new’ version of this tale of star-crossed lovers, but director Peter Evan certainly rose to the task with a striking, raw staging that critics loved. It’ll be interesting to see how Madeline Li, as Juliet, and Ryan Hodson as Romeo, interpret Evans’ interpretation in a less intimate setting. Playhouse, November 19-December 7

In the folk table Stone Soup, a traveller persuades villagers to share their everyday vegetables and herbs to make a delicious meal – which makes this a delicious name for Hany Armanious’ new exhibition. One of Australia’s leading artists, Armanious takes everyday objects – a shoelace, a candle, a lump of Blu-Tack – and casts them to create near-perfect doubles, unsettling what we see and what we know. Stare at anything in isolation and it starts to look peculiar; this is heightened in Armanious’ simply complex practice. More than 80 works are on show here, including some making their debut. Stone Soup, Buxton Contemporary, Melbourne, November 21-April 11, 2026

Actor Colin Friels has been “building to this part for years”, says artistic director Eamon Flack, and this month he’s stepping decisively into King Lear in this new Belvoir Street production. One of theatre’s most demanding roles, Lear – or as this production calls it “The True History of the Life and Death of King Lear & His Three Daughters” – depicts what happens when a vain, proud leader succumbs to flattery as he plans to divide his kingdom, dividing his family in the process. We’ve been listening to the Rest Is Politics’ podcast on Murdoch and the parallels are all too obvious, although there are plenty more real-life comparisons, too. November 15-January 4, 2026

You know you’re old when the dance classics of your youth are being performed by an orchestra – but that’s no reason to resist the Ministry of Sound Classical series, which kicks off this month. Expect over two hours of iconic tracks from Calvin Harris, Fatboy Slim, Moby, Roger Sanchez and more, alongside DJs like John Course and Kid Kenobi. There’s a waitlist for Melbourne’s concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, but tickets still available for other cities. From November 29, capital cities.

Apart from Lee Miller, many of us struggle to name a female photographer, which does not feel very feminist. That’s why we’ll be hotfooting it to the NGV’s Women Photographers 1900–1975: A Legacy of Light. Celebrating the wide-ranging photographic practices of more than eighty women artists working between 1900 and 1975, the exhibition includes everything from reportage and realism to fun surrealist photos of tea cups. Try the gift shop for a beautiful accompanying book, too. Melbourne, November 25-May 3, 2026