CHLOE Mandryk, at 26, is one of the youngest and brightest curators on the block.

The spectacular one-day festival was initially based in the NewActon precinct, but will spread out this year as far as Westside where those shipping containers are taking new shape, to Acton Beach, the Nishi and to West Basin. And with 200 events scheduled, the numbers are expected to go through the roof.

Armed with the French philosopher Jean-Luc Nancy’s idea that art can show “connections we need for a connected society”, the organisers – Mandryk, producer Dave Caffery and the curatorial team of Jess Ausserlechner, Natalija Nikolic, Chenoeh Miller, Anna Wallace and Jai Tongbor are determined to prove that art does not stand apart from everything else in life.

“As a kind of pop-up festival we are site-responsive, so it’s good that we’re coming from different areas, because we can cover diverse practices… also, the mediums themselves criss-cross,” Mandryk tells “CityNews.”

In one such criss-crossing they’ll have contemporary vocalist Liam Budge performing while artists create an installation on the spot. Then in a “distortion of reality” experience, Dax Liniere will give people mirror-like spectacles to wear while they walk through the NewActon garden maze.

It’s only a day-long festival, but Mandryk assures “CityNews” that it’s just the tip of the iceberg – “people picture ideas, we meet people, we expand the concepts and find the place, then there is the actual day with an audience”.

With plans for music, debate, installations, stalls, markets and debate, she’s sure there’s going to be plenty to keep the public interest going.

A collaboration with ANU School of Music should become “bigger and bigger” and there’ll be art talks using staff from the ANU School of Art.

Mandryk doesn’t want to choose favourites, but one exhibition in Penthouse 1601, on Kendall Lane, will link art and theories of mental health and psychology and is “a really nice fit”.

Then Melbourne artist George Rose is presenting an “inflatable installation”, while Canberra’s Blaide Lallemand, inspired by Andy Warhol’s 1966 “Inflatable Silver Clouds”, will have large silver, inflated, alphabet letters floating freely in the Nishi foyer.

“Say something with your art, say what your message is,” is the message Mandryk aspires to, “it’s not a scary being, it’s an inspiring thing.”

“Art, Not Apart”, Saturday March 14, full program at artnotapart.com