On the third of of my art exursion to Melbourne, I braved the final week and school holiday crowds to check out the Triennial at the National Gallery of Victoria (it closes tomorrow 15 April). There was a LOT to take in and I soon suffered from sensory overload. Here are some glimpses.
Flower Obsession: Yagoi Kusama
This interactive installation was commissioned for the Triennial. Kusama remarks on a childhood memory:
“One day, after gazing at a pattern of red flowers on the tablecloth, I looked up to see that the ceiling, the windows, and the columns seemed to be plastered with the same red floral pattern. I saw the entire room, my entire body, and the entire universe covered with red flowers, and in that instant my soul was obliterated โฆ This was not an illusion but reality itself.”
The installation recreates a domestic space. As you enter the gallery, you are presented with a red flower with an adhesive dot and invited to apply it anywhere on the floor, ceiling or walls. Since this was the final week, the gallery was awash with red flowers. I think it would have been more fun if I had been with a friend to talk about where we would put our flowers…
Manga Chairs: Nendo
After the intensity of the red rooms, it was a relief to proceed to the next gallery space featuring Manga Chairs by Nendo.ย There were lots of interesting shapes and angles rendered in reflective stainless steel. I wish my fellow Twelve Deborah Boschert could have been there with me. Remember our Twelve by Twelve Chair challenge?!
We Make Carpets: For Kids
Next up was the “kids” exhibit that really impressed me. Dutch art collective We Make Carpets (Marcia Nolte, Stijn van der Vleuten and Bob Waardenburg) share how they are inspired by the creative possibilities found in everyday objects including sponges, shuttlecocks and pegs. Take a look at their website for videos and interviews.
There were several interactive exhibits where children (and adults) were encouraged to create patterns out of pool noodles, coloured paper and other materials. There was lots of engagement and laughter.
The Triennial features the the work of over 100 artists and designers from 32 countries indispersed with the NGV’s general collection. There was no way, I could take it all in.
A Modern Life: Tablewares 1930s-1980s
After the noise of the Triennial exhibits and the live music emanating from the Moroccan-inspired cafe, I found sanctuary in the A Modern Life: Tablewares exhibit that continues until January 2019. What a nostalgic treat!
If I drank tea or coffee, I would love a chartreuse set like this:
Read the associated essay by Amanda Dunsmore and Matthew Martin which includes some other fun photos.
Heading Home
This completes my report of my 3 day art excursion to Melbourne. On my flight back home, I made sure to select a different seat from my flight down. This is “window seat” 9A on Virgin’s Boeing 737-800. Now I know, and so do you!
Candy Walker says
Great use of 3 days – wish I had been in those pictures ๐