WE ARE HERE: An exploration of contemporary portraiture as a response to hatred and hope

Today is the last day of this really wonderful exhibition which if you have time I encourage you to go see. I found this show very poignant and moving. Running from 6th to the 29th May 2016 at the Glen Eira City Council Gallery which is on the corner of Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads in Caulfield (Monday to Friday 10am–5pm, Weekends 1pm–5pm).

"Presented by The Contemporary Collective, this exhibition features photography; painting; sculpture; jewellery; video; mixed media; and installations by renowned artists  Benjamin Armstrong, Irene Barberis, Godwin Bradbeer, Bindi Cole-Chocka, Carmella Grynberg, Linde Ivimey, Shoshanna Jordan, Jane Korman, Lillianne Milgrom, Victor Majzner, Hedy Ritterman, Avital Sheffer, Lousje Skala, Linda Wachtel and Guan Wei.

Curated by Dr Helen Light AM, this exhibition includes works by these artists who have responded to personal and collective histories and viewpoints regarding the trauma of war, and The Holocaust in particular. The artists' interpretation of contemporary portraiture further encourages a critical engagement with ideas around memorialization and representation. This exhibition honours post-war refugees who journeyed across the globe in order to establish new lives and families. Their stories are pertinent to current debates concerning refugees and asylum seekers." -Glen Eira City Council Gallery

Enjoy the following photos from the show.

000Linda Wachtel,We are here, 2015, Pigment print on archival cotton rag, 100 x 1400cm

001'WE ARE HERE: An exploration of contemporary portraiture as a response to hatred and hope' gallery view. (Linda Wachtel & Godwin Bradbeer)

002

'WE ARE HERE: An exploration of contemporary portraiture as a response to hatred and hope' gallery view. (Godwin Bradbeer, Lillianna Milgrom, Linde Ivimey & Lousje Skala)

003

'WE ARE HERE: An exploration of contemporary portraiture as a response to hatred and hope' gallery view. (Shoshanna Jordan, Irene Barberis & Carmella Grynberg)

004

Shoshanna Jordan, Mir Zehnen Do, 2016, pigment print on acid free cotton paper 100 x100cm each

005

Guan Wei, up in the clouds, No.5, 2012, bronze sculpture, 52 x 32 x 24cm

006Linde Ivimey, Heirloom, 2012, antique and vintage crystal, glass, silver, brass, water, electricity, 28 x 33 x 33cm

007

Jane Korman, Whistle While You Work, 2014, Video, 05:05min (Still Video)

009'WE ARE HERE: An exploration of contemporary portraiture as a response to hatred and hope' gallery view. (Hedy Ritterman, Avital Sheffer & Linde Ivimey)

010

'WE ARE HERE: An exploration of contemporary portraiture as a response to hatred and hope' gallery view. (Lousje Skala, Shoshanna Jordan & Hedy Ritterman)

‘James Turrell: A Retrospective’ NGA Canberra

Happy New Year 2015! I have a few exciting posts​ coming up for 2015 and can't wait to share them with you. Expect more regular posting.

I was very lucky to have been able to go ​to ​ Canberra ​recently ​to visit family and see some amazing exhibitions. Today I want to talk about James Turrell's show "James Turrell: A Retrospective" 13 December 2014 – 8 June 2015 at the National Gallery of Australia (NGA), Canberra. This is a paid exhibition costing $20.39- $45.88. The more expensive premium tickets are for experiencing 'Perceptual cell', which I unfortunately didn't get to do because it was booked out when I was there. Also note that 'Within without' is part of the permanent collection and can be viewed for free, this work ​is ​best viewe​d​ at dawn or dusk to fully appreciate the lighting effects.

So what did I think? I really loved seeing & experiencing both his earlier works through to his more recent im​m​ersive​ works​. I also loved ​seeing​ other visitors have a sense of curiosity and wonder about the work. I loved the show so much I plan on seeing it again when I go back up to work on a commission and I hope to be able to get ​a ​ticket to the 'Perceptual cell'. ​P​remium tickets are selling out fast so ​if you​ plan on going to Canberra try and book the tickets now otherwise you might miss out.

As photos w​ere​ not allowed in the exhibition​,​ here are some images and a video provide​d​ by NGA.

James Turrell 9

James Turrell 
Within without 2010
Skyspace: lighting installation, concrete and basalt stupa, water, earth, landscaping
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra
© James Turrell
photograph: John Gollings
James Turrell 6

James Turrell
Shanta II (blue) 1970
Cross-corner construction: fluorescent light, built space
Dimensions variable: 106.6cm (max height of aperture)
Image: National Gallery of Australia
James Turrell 1

James Turrell
Afrum (white) 1966
Cross-corner projection: projected light
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
© James Turrell
photograph © Florian Holzherr
James Turrell 4James Turrell 8 James Turrell 3James Turrell 2

James Turrell
Virtuality squared 2014
Ganzfeld: built space, LED lights
800 x 1400 x 1940.5 cm (overall)
Collection James Turrell
Image: National Gallery of Australia
James Turrell 7

James Turrell
Bindu shards 2010
Perceptual cell: fiberglass and metal. Light program
420.8 x 653.1 x 607.1 cm (sphere)
National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, purchased 2014
Image: National Gallery of Australia

William Kentridge: Five Themes Review

William Kentridge: Five themes exhibition is an award-winning show. It is most toured contemporary exhibition ever; and Melbourne is its ninth and final stop.

Artist and film maker William Kentridge is best known for his charcoal animations which depict the political unrest in South Africa. Enter the magical dream like world of Kentridge’s genius mind by seeing the exhibition and experience the best of what he is famous for.

Whether you’re a fan of animation, film, theatre or art, this amazing exhibition will entertain you for hours. The exhibition is separated into 5 different themes: Ubu and the Procession, Soho and Felix, Artist in the Studio, The Magic Flute and The Nose. As it is a varied collection of films, drawing, prints and sculptures, you will be entranced by the playful nature of some of his work and then be moved to tears by his more emotionally poignant films.

The exhibition really deserves multiple visits as one visit is simply not enough, however if you are forced only to see three things in the whole show, you must experience the immersive and humorous projection room of the Artist in Studio inspired by Georges Méliès. It is simply a magical theatre model, with the mechanical puppets and projections as part of The Magic Flute. Last but certainly not least, the intriguing anamorphic film, What Will Come (Has Already Come).

This is the must see show of the year.

                     
William Kentridge: Five Themes
Curated by Mark Rosenthal

ACMI
Flinders St, Melbourne, VIC
Gallery 1

Thursday 8 March – Sunday 27 May 2012
Exhibition open daily 10am – 6pm

Photos by PANORAMIC+

*I don't normally cross post but I thought you guys would like this post too… I hope you all enjoyed it

Kinetic sculptor in Fed Square

So ever since I saw Theo Jansen's Ted talk video in 2007 about his awesome Kinetic sculptors I wanted to see one up close and personal.  I will be going to the Occupy Art event in Melbourne city square so while I'm there I will stop off at Fed Square to see his amazing sculptors. I can't wait. I will post a review of what I think later this week but in the meanwhile check out these videos.

Kinetic sculptor at Federation Square

A recent ted talk…

via Federation Square