Anything can be art

A wander through the MoMA exhibition currently at the National Gallery of Victoria gives an indication how anything can be viewed as art.

If only I had the wit to think of something like that.

Water feature

The water feature facade at Melbourne's National Gallery of Victoria is a constant fascination for adults and children alike.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

The view from the Museum down Benjamin Franklin Parkway towards the Philadelphia CBD

Images from the Syrian War

Another exhibit from Triennial at the National Gallery of Victoria was a collection of moving images from the Syrian War displayed on three adjacent curved screens (Cinerama style) by Richard Mosse using new long range thermal cameras with the ability to record subjects up to 50 kilometres away in total darkness. Mr Mosse has produced some stunning images.

Triennial Marilyn trivia

I quite enjoyed my quick dip into the current Triennial art and design exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria.

One exhibit by Iraqi born Adel Abidin recreates the famous images of Marilyn Monroe in 'The Seven Year Itch' where she stood over a New York subway grate and her skirt billowed from the updraft. In Abidin's recreation it is a man wearing Arab clothing who is pictured.

 

Escalators as art

Sydney's Wynyard Railway Station is undergoing a major refurbishment even as a new skyscraper is being constructed above it. The station has long been noted amongst locals for its long, slow moving wooden escalators initially installed in 1932.

You can read about them here.

Wynyard Station escalators

Wynyard Station escalators

The wooden escalators have been replaced with modern metal versions. For once, though, Government hasn't simply obliterated past glories. Sections of the now replaced wooden steps have been retained as an art installation hanging above their replacements. A nice job, I think.

Escalators to heaven

Oh, what Fred Astaire might have done with these!

Dutch glory

Some snaps from the Art Gallery of New South Wales where the current main exhibition is Rembrandt and the Dutch Golden Age.

A used condom?

Artwork decorating the Galeries Victoria centre in Sydney's CBD

Archie got it wrong.....again

It is that time of year. The Art Gallery of New South Wales is displaying the Archibald Prize; the annual prize for portraiture painting. Most years the Prize raises a degree of controversy which is probably just as well for maintaining interest.

As usual I wasn't all that fussed by most of the finalists on display. Even more usual, this year (yet again) I favoured the pick of the Packers - the men and women who unpack the arriving works for display - over the official winner - chosen by the Trustees of the Gallery.

A few snaps to share the atmosphere, or lack of, at this year's display.

This portrait of media personality Lisa Wilkinson by Peter Smeeth won the Packers' Prize.

(Art Gallery of NSW)

And for the record, this portrait of Agatha Gothe-Snape by Mitch Cairns won the Archibald Prize.

(Art Gallery of NSW)

As the saying goes; I don't know much about art but I know what I like.

A touch of Versailles

The second exhibition we visited whist in Canberra was Versailles: Treasures from the Palace at the National Gallery of Australia. The marketing of the exhibition states it is the first time the treasures have been displayed outside of France. If so, it is an honour for the Gallery and Australia.

It is a spectacular display, highly recommended for those who can make the trip to view it.

Some photos I took;

The King instructs La Perouse on his forthcoming journey to the great south land, Australia

Madame du Pompadour

Marie-Antoinette

Menu from 21 June 1751

100 objects

I've had my first visit to Canberra in quite a few years. Not sure how many years, perhaps 5 but probably more. A bit surprising given that the nation's capital city is only a 3 hours drive away. The lure was two rare exhibitions and a long overdue catch up with friends resident there.

The first exhibition visited this afternoon was A History of the World in 100 Objects from the British Museum at the National Museum of Australia.

A small sample of the 100 objects displayed;

Well worth a visit.