Today’s post is courtesy of Jaime Pih of The Bride Gene. Jaime posted up lots of pictures of Melbourne Now on her Facebook page and I was really inspired by the amazing work that was done by the artists. It’s an event that’s happening in Australia from 22 November 2013 to 23 March 2014 that celebrates the latest art, architecture, design, performance and cultural practice to reflect the complex cultural landscape of creative Melbourne. I wasn’t able to head there, so I did the next best thing – I asked if she would be willing to share the pictures (and words alongside them) on Pikaland so that others may be able to experience it as well. And she said yes, hurrah! Enjoy! ~ Amy
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*** NOTE: All text are taken from the exhibition, which includes the artist’s statement and/or an introduction to each artist’s work.
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You, Me and the Flock – Juan Ford, 2013
“The huge sky above us holds many secrets. I enjoy trying to understand how the natural world constantly changes and how we are a part of that process. I have often watched birds in flight, flocking and flying apart. It has made me think about how we do a similar thing but in a very different way.
Join in my experiment and add some birds to the flock. As you place each bird, think about the changing shape of the flock and the feeling of movement. Also think about what it might mean as the flock becomes populated with more and more birds over time.”
You Ask Me About That Country – Sangeeta Sandrasegar, 2012-13
Born to Malaysian and Australian parents, Sangeeta Sandrasegar lived in both countries before settling in Melbourne at the age of ten. Her work explores perceptions of homeland and diaspora, belonging and identity. These works form part of a series “You Ask Me About That Country” which takes its title from a poem by Faiz Ahmed Faiz about the effect of time on memories. Created following her return to Malaysia after twenty-five years, each suite of exquisitely detailed filigree paper-cuts comprises a self-portrait confronted by three other portraits representing different Malaysian cultural groups.
The beautiful patterns of flowers, leaves and butterflies that form her hair are inspired by traditional batik designs from Malaysia. Batik is an ancient art of making patterns using wax and coloured dyes on fabric that is found in many countries across Asia.
The shadows cast on the walls by the paper cut-outs are like an echo of the artist’s memories and suggest there are different ways we can think about who we are.
dontworry – Mark Hilton, 2013
Extending across nine intricately detailed wall-mounted panels, each corresponding to a formative event in Mark Hilton’s life, dontworry is a personal memoir exploring the complicated transition from childhood to adulthood. However this dark representation of events witnessed while growing up in suburban Melbourne, including violence committed by mobs of people and unnerving depictions of adolescent bad behaviour, also poses broader questions around “normal” codes of behaviour.
Co Workers, Hanging Sculpture – Meredith Turnbull
When I am making sculpture and jewellery, I enjoy experimenting with different shapes, sizes, colour and texture. My work ranges from large scale sculptural installations to much smaller jewellery pieces. I often compare sculpture and jewellery and I wonder about the similarities and differences between them. When I make necklaces and bracelets I sometimes think of them as small wearable sculptures.
For Melbourne Now I have selected a range of wooden components, tube and laminated card for you to work with. You can also draw on these with coloured pencils. Think about the different ways you can arrange the colours, textures and shapes to create your own wearable sculpture.
For you – Darren Sylvester, 2013
Darren Sylvester’s multidisciplinary practice reflects upon the tropes and convention of consumer culture, advertising, pop music and cinema, appropriating international products as “readymades” as a way of considering how we are shaped and affected by branding. “For you” is an illuminated dance floor that appropriates current make-up palettes offered by Yves Saint Laurent, colours “proven” by market research to appear flattering on the widest cross-section of people. Shy-dancers should not fear – everyone looks good on this dance floor.
The Gallery of Air
Best experienced than captured on camera, this amazing gallery exhibited just about anything and everything that involved air – a remote control to an air-con unit, a book (Up In The Air by Walter Kirn), a vintage vinyl (Wind on the Water by Crosby and Nash), a Rhett Butler doll (Gone with the Wind), airplanes, a resuscitation doll, a shoe (Nike Air), Chinese foldable paper fans, and a print of a vintage hot air balloon, just to name a few. Ever wondered how so much of what we do, use and enjoy involves air?
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Melbourne Now is happening from 22 November 2013 – 23 March 2014 at the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria). If you’ve taken some pictures or have written about the event (or know of anyone who does), do drop your links below so that we can see more of the action happening over at Melbourne!
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About Jaime
My name is Jaime Pih and I’m a Malaysian born multimedia design graduate living in the creative hub that is Melbourne, Australia. I love capturing moments and discovering the old and new of all things beautiful (cliche as it may sound) whether it be a delicious work of art on a plate, the story that went into every stitch of a vintage dress, the beauty and genius in the sculptures around us, learning something new, or creating a sanctuary in the space we call home. If it looks good, tastes good, feels good, and is for good, well…”that’s amore!”
Instagram: @thebridegene | Pinterest: pinterest.com/thebridegene | Blog: thebridegene.com
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If you would like to share some of the recent events in your area – whether it’s an exhibition, an art event or a fun gallery, feel free to get in touch with me (Amy) and I’d love to put it up here on the blog to share with our readers!
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