Ever since Melbourne Now was first advertised, I have been looking forward to my imminent trip to check this art exhibition out. Sadly, it opened one week before I left for my Japan trip and so I decided to visit in 2014. Long story short, I procrastinated until one week before the exhibition ends (this week, 23 March).
Last Sunday, I finally did a planned impromptu trip with another friend to visit Melbourne Now at Ian Potter. Expect this as you arrive on Level 3:
For those who are not familiar, here’s a brief description of it from the official website:
Melbourne Now celebrates the latest art, architecture, design, performance and cultural practice to reflect the complex cultural landscape of creative Melbourne. Melbourne Now is designed to promote engagement with contemporary art in new and dynamic ways by harnessing the creative energies of Melbourne’s wider community.
Before we got to the third floor, we started on the ground floor and was greeted with a beautiful mess; a home dining setting with plenty of chaos and dirty plates. Cool, I thought. But what’s cooler is that the artist(s), Hotham Street Ladies, created many of the intricacies of this “room” with cake icing. The wallpaper. The rug underneath. And the many embellishments on the table. Amazing.
Apart from the dining area, they also furnished a living room with pretty icing.
We then moved up to the third floor to start our amazing art journey into the heart of Melbourne artists… Most need little explanations, so please enjoy:
We reached a room where many everyday well-designed items were lined up and arranged on the wall in a very colourful display. Seriously a photogenic room!
We continued walking. This was my first time visiting The Ian Potter Centre at Federation Square. There were so many sections and gallery areas that you could almost get lost, but seriously, I didn’t mind getting lost and discovering new things along the way…
We then reached a graffiti-ed space with spray paints around the area, posters stuck on every corner and pieces of paper on the ground. It was as if someone took a chunk of Hosier Lane and dumped them in this gallery. I didn’t mind at all though, I’ve always been a huge admirer of graffiti art.
After spending quite a bit of time reading the quirky subculture messages on the graffiti wall, we moved on to the next section of more art and more beauty…
After a bit of a walk around Level 3, we stopped by at a corner with plenty of kids sitting around a table. Being big kids ourselves, we took our seats and quickly learned that we could make our own paper shoes and decorate them. Fun! What a great way to bring more involvement into the exhibition!
So of course, that’s exactly what we did. Check my fake Converse out yo!
Next to the experimental collaborative area (or whatever you call them) were four very whimsical real life pop-up fairy tale books. Sticking with the shoes theme, each focused on a different fairy tale. Dorothy from Wizard of Oz. Puss in Boots, Cinderella and some elven shoes from a fairy tale I wasn’t familiar with. Gorgeous! I really wanted those elf shoes…
We regained our energy from sitting down and making shoes, so we picked up our pace and walked further. More prettiness at every corner.
Until we reached this draped area with a totally different feel as you walked in… Many forest creatures were displayed on silver plates and adorned with jewels. A little bit disturbing and yet so captivating. It was a weird feeling, to be honest. They looked so real, as if asleep, and yet they were lifeless.
I’d be interested to know what your thoughts are on this particular enchanting exhibition.
It was close to 5pm, so we knew that we had to leave soon (yes, sadly, it’s not open 24/7). So we walked down towards Level 2…
On Level 2, we found this furry rocking horse furniture that I wanted to take home with me, pronto! Seriously would like one of these in my house. I mean, why wouldn’t you… right?!
I probably couldn’t afford it, so decided on a selfie next to the giant hand mirror instead (with the rocking horse in sight, obviously).
I do wish we had more time to wander around Level 2, but I’ve been overwhelmingly pleased with everything that I’ve just seen, heard and experienced.
Melbourne Now is definitely a must-visit for art and design lovers, or for anyone who loves what Melbourne has to offer. There are only a few days left before the exhibition closes its doors, so go and check it out! And remember, there is also the main NGV venue for more amazing Melbourne Now artworks and live performances.
Have you been to Melbourne Now? What are some of your favourite artworks (in this exhibition or just any other artwork ever created)?