NGV Triennial

Every week Andy and I have two “days off” - days that Ella is in daycare and we are free to do whatever we want for the day. Now, I love my daughter very much, and I (mostly) enjoy spending time with her (tantrums aside). But these two days are heaven. It’s like a small glimpse into what our school holidays were like when we didn’t have a child. If only I’d appreciated the freedom we had then! 

Last week, on one of our days off we went to the National Gallery of Victoria to check out the latest exhibition, the NGV Triennial. The exhibition is a free event, and spread across the three floors of the NGV. It’s huge, so huge that we didn’t end up seeing all of it, so a second visit will be in order. It is open until 15th April, so plenty of time to go back. From the 19-28th January the gallery is open late, from 6pm-midnight, with the addition of DJs, bars, food and dancing so that could be a fun option. 

The Triennial features the work of 100 artists and designers from 32 different countries and is an eclectic mix of sculpture, design, architecture, fashion, tapestry, performance, painting, drawing and film. There were a lot of interactive pieces which I really enjoyed. I am by no means knowledgeable about art and design, but I do like a good wander around a gallery and stopping by the pieces that catch my interest. Here were some of the highlights for me - some I got pictures of, but some you’ll just have to check out for yourself!

Xu Chen, China - Eternity-Buddha in Nirvana (2016-17)

This is the enormous sculpture that greets you upon entering the NGV. A reclining Buddha covered in replicas of Greco-Roman Renaissance and Neoclassical sculptures. From the artist: “I have always been curious about the differences between cultures and the alienation between them. And yet, misconceptions can be the beginning of awareness and understanding”.

Pae White, USA - Untitled (2017)

Colourful graphics and mirrors combined with installations of acrylic yarn give the illusion of space. Lots of fun to walk through.

Nendo, Japan - Manga Chairs (2015)

This was probably my favourite work. A series of metal chairs all with a slightly different design features, inspired by Manga comics. There is also an animation where you can see the transformation of the chair from one design to the other. Very cool! I was so engrossed in this one that I forgot to take a picture.

TeamLab, Japan - Moving Creates Vortices and Vortices Create Movement (2017)

An interactive digital work in a large, dark space surrounded by mirrors. On the floor is are large, vortex-like swirls that respond to movement in a way that mimics water. Only a limited amount of people are allowed in the room at a time. A pretty trippy experience!



Richard Giblett, Hong Kong - Sump System (2015-16)
An set of three industrial landscapes of chimneys, funnels and pipes set within inky black oil, depicting the consumption of resources in cities today. If you look closely you can see some big brands within such as McDonald's, IKEA and Louis Vuitton. The pictures look digitally produced, but if you look closely you can see that they are actually paintings.

Ron Mueck, Australia - Mass (2016-17)

This work starts with one large skull sculpture, in the middle of one of the rooms with a permanent collection of Renaissance paintings. The difference between the two is quite stark! Continuing on, you are lead to a room full of 100 large skulls. Breathtaking, in a kind of horrible way. “Mass” is an interpretation of the catacombs in Paris and of more recent human atrocities in places such as Rwanda, Cambodia and Iraq. It also serves as a reminder of our own mortality.

Yayoi Kusama, Japan - Flower Obsession (2016-17)

Another interactive work, this is a reconstruction of a normal looking apartment, visitors are given a flower sticker to stick anywhere you want. The theme is “obliteration”. Day by day the apartment will become obliterated with flowers.

This doesn't even scratch the surface of the variety of works to see at the NGV Triennial. If you’re in Melbourne between now and April, I highly recommend checking this exhibition out!