In the NGVs richest and most diverse summer program yet, six major exhibitions and installations from some of the world’s leading contemporary international artists will be launched. This dedicated contemporary summer season will feature Jean Paul Gaultier, British humourist David Shrigley, LA based-artist Alex Prager, Japanese young gun Takahiro Iwasaki, Belgium’s Carlsten Höller and starting with the master of scent Chandler Burr, alongside the work of Australia’s foremost artists and designers.
As part of the summer launch a number of key initiatives and collaborations have been announced. Reinforcing the NGVs focus on design, John Wardle architects have been commissioned to create the NGV Tent, an ephemeral architecture commission as part of this summer’s garden activation. A new NGV Design store will be opened, and as part of our investment into the reinvigoration of design across all platforms we are pleased to announce, courtesy of the Hugh Williamson Fund, two new senior curatorial positions dedicated to design.
Our programs and events across a range of creative fields will continue to be developed. To build on our expanding musical program the NGV is pleased to announce a new collaboration with the Mushroom Group, called Summer Sundays featuring DJs, food stalls and acoustic music sets by emerging and well known musicians during February in the NGV Garden. This will be complemented by an enhanced Friday Night series and the return of Unplugged in 2015.
Tony Ellwood, Director, NGV, said, ‘We have been inspired to build on the success and momentum created during Melbourne Now to present this rich contemporary summer program. We our thrilled to be bringing some of the most outstanding contemporary artists and designers to the NGV, and to continue our exploration of ideas are accessible and relevant. We hope above all that these collaborations with some of our finest leading creative practitioners from at home and around the world will inspire in our visitors a sense of wonder, joy and discovery as they experience the diversity of stories and offerings created.’
To launch the spring season, curator of the Department of Scent Art in New York and author of The Emperor of Scent, Chandler Burr will offer the sensory Hyper-Natural: Scent from Design to Art, an exhibition of scent art. This follows with the summer highlight with the fashion world’s ‘enfant terrible’ Jean Paul Gaultier opening his highly anticipated exhibition The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk.
British contemporary artist David Shrigley will bring his deadpan wit and unique vision in the largest survey of his work in Australia to date. In the same month LA-based artist Alex Prager opens her first Australia solo exhibition of lush and cinematic film and photography. A recently acquired, large-scale and intricately detailed Istukushima Reflection Model by one of Japan’s new generation of younger artists, Takahiro Iwasaki will be on display in the Asian contemporary gallery. Belgian artist Carsten Höller’s spectacular life-size Golden Mirror Carousel will transform Federation Court in the continuing activation of this communal space.
During summer a dedicated space on Level 3 at NGV International will showcase 35 recent major contemporary acquisitions by 25 international and local artists, which will include works by Ernesto Neto, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Joaquin Segura, Sophie Calle and Tracey Emin, whose work explores themes around participation, surveillance, protest and urban transformation.
NGV’s contemporary summer season will also showcase Australia’s own creative talent, with an otherworldly interactive installation from the Sydney duo Romance Was Born; a survey exhibition of Emily Floyd featuring newly commissioned work; and in NGV Studio a 30-year retrospective look at Mambo, one of Australia’s most irreverent brands. There will also be a major retrospective of leading Australian artist the late Robert Jacks, which opens in October.
As part of NGV’s ongoing commitment to program for all audiences and age groups the NGV will see the return of the Children’s Festival , a free event over nine days from 17 – 26 January 2015 where art and design will be celebrated across both NGV International and NGV Australia. Kids programs have been developed across the major exhibitions for the summer including Drop-by Drawing: Inspired by Jean Paul Gaultier,Express Yourself: Romance Was Born for Kids and Emily Floyd: The Dawn for Kids.
Continuing our exploration of all facets of design, and in a first for an Australian art institution, in March the NGV will also present Shifting Gear an exhibition looking at some of our most iconic vehicles as objects of art and design. To coincide with the 100th anniversary of the landing at Gallipoli, the NGV will present Follow the Flag, reflecting on Australians at war during the first and second world wars. A new series of monumentally scaled works on paper by John Wolseley will also premiere in Heartlands and Headwaters from April 2 to August 16.
As part of the NGVs commitment to showcasing the rich holdings of the collection, a number of exhibitions will be feature these including our world-renowned works from the Pre Raphaelite Brotherhood in Fortune’s Wheel: The Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Exquisite Threads: English Embroidery presents over three hundred years of some of the finestembroidery and needlework from the period; and Scandinavianmodernist design with featured in Nordic Cool.
For the full program of exhibitions, installations and announcements please refer to ngv.vic.gov.au.
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