The remarkable Inge King - and more!

Recently I joined a small after-hours-tour to see an exhibition of our 'national living treasure' - the 98 year old Melbourne sculptor Inge King at the National Gallery of Victoria (Australia) at Federation Square. What an opportune time to visit as it was the night before the Winter Solstice - 22 June. The main foyer of the NGVA features her newest works - Cellestial - which were created in 2011. This remarkable woman - who was born in Berlin and migrated to Australia in 1951 has changed the way we see public spaces not only in Melbourne but world-wide.

Beautifully spaced throughout the ground floor - spinning on their axes

Heavenly

The polished finish makes you want to stroke them (allowed!)

We spent a special hour with the curator of the exhibition who had been taught by Inge's husband Grahame who is also featured in the joint exhibition. He was an artist and master printmaker in his own right.

Grahame King - Solstice 1973

I loved one of the stories of Inge's beginnings with welding. Grahame apparantly swapped one of his paintings with their neighbour who had a welder for sale ensuring Inge could begin another stage of her sculpting. And what a stage that became. It was the start of her welding herself into our lives with some amazing and familiar icons in this city.

She works from marquets - rather than drawing - and you can see why.

The Black Sun marquets - from little things (right) big things grow - and that's before the final sculpture

Her early welded sculptures were rougher around the edges that her later works (I thought this looked like suitcases!)

Simple and strong

One of my favourites - and perhaps most recognisable - is 'Forward Surge' a massive sculpture on the lawn between the Arts Centre and the Concert Hall. She loves that it is climbed upon - although she recognises that the powers-that-be hate having to repaint it continuously! It was chosen by the architect of the Arts Centre - Roy Grounds and Eric Westbrook the Director of the National Gallery of Victoria. They chose well.

Forward Surge - so well known - between the Arts Centre and the Concert Hall - but just look at those hideous apartments

 Many years ago I travelled on a tour of Italy and France where our tour guide was Judith Trimble who was a lecturer in architecture at Deakin University. She wrote a wonderful book about Inge King and it is now in the Cottage 'library' for you to peruse. If I recall it was the 'expansion' of a thesis she had done. I've lost touch with Judy but I recommend a quiet few moments to come to grips with the output of this amazing artist.

Amulet bracelet - 1960

The exhibition is free and ends on 31 August - I encourage you to stop by. It begins on the ground floor as the Celestial sculptures are so heavy they couldn't go upstairs. As it was they needed to be spaced carefully to ensure the floor didn't collapse. You will find her work on 3 floors of the gallery - so work your way up!

Afterwards I wandered into Fed Square where their winter programme The Light in Winter was still in full swing (sadly the instillations have now been removed) There were some lovely instillations and this is my favourite.

On a cold and clear winter's night - Radiant Lines by Asif Khan lights up the night

Keep an eye out next year for Federation Square's annual winter programme The Light in Winter. It is directed by a former Melbourne Festival of Arts Director - the renowned Robyn Archer.

The Keith Haring Mural

Sometimes I think I travel around this wonderful city with my eyes closed! I know many of you wouldn't agree but let me explain. I first saw the work of the late New York street artist Keith Haring (1958-1990) at an exhibition at the now Australian Centre of Contemporary Art (ACCA) way back in 1984 - probably before some of you readers were born!

The 'rusty' ACCA building, with the Malthouse Theatre on the right and the Yellow Peril in the background

Whilst in Melbourne he painted a mural on a wall of the old Collingwood Technical School. Over the years much has been written about it falling into decay and sadly being 'tagged' by 'graffiti' artists (who obviously have no respect - or perhaps - knowledge of this street artist icon). I kept promising myself that I would find it and just never got around to it! Until today! And it's not far away!

Look at the size of the television (top left!) The Haring signature 'people'

Finally the State Government and our local council agreed that it should be restored - a mere 30 years after it was completed. Although the mural has lost much of its colour it still retains the spontenaety  that is so well known with all Haring's work. 

You will find The Keith Haring Mural (see background story and Keith painting it here) at 35 Johnston Street, Collingwood (between Wellington and Smith Streets - west of Punt Road. Now I must have passed it 100's of times and although driving must have had my eyes dangerously closed! It now graces the wall of the new home of Circus Oz. It seems the perfect welcome as each of the figures could be doing circus tricks!

The Haring 'people' showing Circus Oz how it is done!

So if you happen to be passing then do stop and enjoy the fact that the mural - although faded - is a rare beast - it's one of only 31 known Haring Murals still in existence. 

Oh and incidentally - if you're wandering along St Kilda Road near Princes Bridge in the Arts Precinct look out for the Wirth's Circus Mosaic. The mosaic was completed in 1998  to celebrate 150 years of circus performances in this city. Perhaps it was one of the inspirations for Circus Oz whose big tent is currently errected at Birrarung Marr near Federation Square. 

The Wirths Circus Mosaic - have you seen it??!!

As the Huffington Post stated "There are few things in this world more smile-inducing than a Keith Haring mural". I've left a book of his work in the Cottage 'library'. Don't miss it - as I have for years!

Smile - you're a Haring

Bowen Cottage client comment: Outstanding property to stay at - very homey feel and great location

let's go climbing

Did you know there's a Bouldering Wall in Burnley? Burnley (and Cremorne) are part of the Richmond municipality. Now I could think of nothing I would like to do less than test my strength (!?) climbing up a vertical wall hanging on by my fingernails (it's hard enough to get them to grow as it is) as I launched myself up! It was hard enough on a recent trip to the Kimberley where we needed to climb up cliff faces to swim in rockpools away from the crocodiles - but there was incentive in doing that! But it seems that climbing up walls is a pretty hot thing to do. There is even an inside climbing wall at Clip 'N Climb at 144 Murphy Street, Richmond

This Clip 'N Climb - looks fun - even I think I could do it!

The great thing about the Burnley Bouldering Wall (don't you love the name) is that it's right beside the River Yarra overlooking the marvellous Herring Island (see earlier post here) and underneath the South East (Monash) Freeway with the bike path alongside.

Keep away from the shark! (I think Dad has the best idea!)

The BBW can be accessed from the Yarra walking and cycling Trail - at the river end of either Coppin or Mary Streets. You might even see the rowers passing by.

This looks easier than climbing but...

Right under the freeway - 2nd right is doing the splits, 3rd left is all crossed over!

And as they say on the Hide & Seek website here  "Just remember to tighten your grip when the semi-trailers pass overhead"!!

It has to be good for something - your abs me thinks! (hide & seek)

Are you are wall climber or just someone who 'climbs the wall' when confined to a small space!

Bowen Cottage client comment: Very pleased to be back again

When is a gate not a gate....

Writing about Richmond gates in an earlier post (see here) I regretted not photographing some rather wonderful black geese gates which had been around as long as I have been in Richmond. One minute they were there and the next they were gone - as the building was demolished for ... yet another apartment block.

The grey goose gates - I'm rather keen about the one that has broken free!

So imagine my delight when I found them again! They have reincarnated into an 'instillation'. Painted a rather boring - but it seems very fashionable - grey you will find them on the corner of Bridge Road and Bosisto Street (between Lennox and Church Streets). I'm thrilled that they have been saved but feel sad that they are now grey and not black. They just don't have the same impact.

Take a gander (!) at the geese close up - you can see the wriggly line down the middle where the gates used to open

In their previous life they graced a rather charming courtyard and were enhanced because you could see through them. They were also a 'feature' of Bridge Road. Still one can't complain. I had feared they had gone to the scrap dealers - so well done to the 'preservers'. 

Bowen Cottage - It seems grey is the new in-colour!

Now talking about a rather boring grey colour I am pleased to say that I have now had the cottage painted grey (!!) with black shutters. The aging green carpet has also been updated to - grey! So who am I to complain about the black geese - whoops - grey geese gates! Not this goose!

The 'grey' (fashionable colour!) module apartments

If you do happen to pop along to see them - then look at the building next to them in Bosisto Street - this mega-apartment block went up in record time. They craned in entire pre-made module floors - exraordinary. Oh and if you are a lego fan then the apartments abut Leggo Place (sorry about the additional g!)

Bowen Cottage client comment: The cottage is looking lovely

ye olde corner store

There used to be a corner shop on - well nearly every corner (!) - in Richmond in days gone by. These were the corner (!) stone of the suburb (along with the corner pubs and drinking houses). And then along came the mighty supermarkets and slowly, slowly their numbers dwindled to a handful. The fabric of the suburb changed - and I'm not sure for the better. 

On virtually every corner there was once a shop - I rather like this simple conversion (corner Coppin & Abinger Streets) - now it's a home

Still although many have closed there are still some hanging in and making a difference to our suburb. In fact some are thriving - just as any well run business will I guess. But they have had to move with the times. 

Let's take Lennox Street (Bowen Street runs into it!). Right opposite the T of Bowen and Lennox it is farewell to the corner store that once served the community in the vicinity. And the owners lived behind the shop.  Now it is in the throes of becoming - yes - more townhouses! 

The old corner store just near the Cottage - look what it is probably going to be turned into!

But if we move further along Lennox between Bridge Road and Swan Street we come to 259 Lennox (which housed the original Jacques Reymond restaurant - see earlier post here) is - well not a corner store - but the cleanest 'corner' store I have seen. It's where you can always get bread, milk, papers and more and the owner is always behind the till. 

Mrs Spick and Span (my name for her) where the old Jacques Reymond restaurant began

And then we turn into Rowena Parade. Now this corner store at number 44 is 'hot' and not just with the locals! Of course they have the 'usual' corner store supplies but in order to make it work they also provide a great breakfast and lunch. As the owner says "I can buy Coke cheaper at the supermarket than from Coke" (doesn't that smack of I don't know what. I often see small business owners stocking up at our local Coles with milk, soft drinks and other supplies - and then on-selling back at their business) So to succeed the corner stores have to be creative. And that includes food and enhancement of the neighbourhood and our feeling of belonging. 

Whoops - taken through the window at night - sorry! It's quirky

Rowena Parade store - looking towards the MCG

Another favourite of mine is opposite the old Channel 9 studios in Bendigo Street. The studios are worth a look now that they have been converted to - guess what - apartments and townhouses. They are rather well done. But the corner store (not on the corner!) has done well - both when Channel 9 was there and since - particularly during the conversion with all the tradies - of which there were many. Now that the apartments are completed the locals love it (it's a long way to any of the Richmond supermarkets) so for the milk, eggs, papers and snacks and of course the ubiquitous coffee - it's right on their doorstep.

The Channel Nine studios - now converted to apartments - both in the old building and new constructions

The Bendigo Street 'corner' store right opposite the old Channel Nine studios

So as the Rowena Parade owner said - corner stores can succeed and prosper as long as they are creative. How lucky that there are still some around! And the last word from him "Estate agents tell me it ups the price of nearby houses by about as much as a park: around $50,000. But residents tell me it's invaluable". What a pity the one on the corner of Lennox and Bowen has gone - just think what it would have done to the sale price of Bowen Cottage!!    

A volcano - right here in Melbourne

The Royal Botanic Gardens has its own volcano! Guilfoyle's Volcano was built in 1873 and used for water storage. Then somehow we forgot about saving water until the long years of drought reminded us of the importance we needed to place on this precious commodity. It lay dormant for 60 years and now after its quite recent restoration in 2010 it can be seen in all its 'explosive' glory.

One of the entrances to Guilfoyle's Volcano

Climb to the top through some wonderful dry climate plantings

The Volcano is part of an initiative at the Gardens - the Working Wetlands. It really is a unique and rather wondrous place. The water coming into the Volcano reservoir comes from the beautiful ornamental lake and the lake water can be very high in nutrients. The floating islands help reduce this by planting water loving plants which grow prolifically and their roots hang like a curtain below the surface. The bacteria they produce removes the excess nutrients and makes the water cleaner (old nature is pretty clever - if we would only listen and learn from her). The floating islands also reduce evaporation. It's lovely to stand and watch as they slowly move around the top of the Volcano.

A 'sea' of floating islands and a wonderful view of the city in the distance

Mr Tommy Tortoise climbing onto the island amongst the reeds

William Guilfoyle - after whom the Volcano was named - was the second Director of the Gardens.  He succeeded Ferdinand von Mueller who was appointed in 1857.  Guilfoyle succeeded him in 1873. He is often described as 'the master of landscaping' and it was his vision that shaped the Gardens as they are seen today. 

 

Thankyou Mr Mueller and Mr Guilfoyle

You'll find Guilfoyle’s Volcano in the south-east corner of the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne. (the closest corner to Richmond!) It easily accessible via C Gate (enter via Anderson Street) and D Gate (enter via Birdwood Avenue). If you are passing then do pop in to see a remarkable creation. And a useful one.

The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne

Rain, hail or shine if you have some time then please head to the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne - (great website) part of the Royal Botanic Gardens - just a short 45 minute drive south of the city en route to the Mornington Peninsula (the new freeway makes it a breeze). It's well worth the trip. Every time I've been there I've been overwhelmed not only by the space, but also the incredible design and plantings. The Cranbourne Australian Gardens have been under the umbrella of Melbourne's Botanic Gardens since 1970 and yet it is really only in the last few years - since a quite remarkable design and planting makeover around 10 years ago that they have come into our consciousness. It took years for me to 'get around' to visiting and once I did I have been back again - and again. The enormity of the space, the magnificent designs - oh and even the plantings which in some ways seem secondary - have just 'blown me away'. 

The Red Centre - just a little of what welcomes and rather overwhelms with its size - and simplicity

Now I was brought up on 'ye olde English gardens' (lot's of water use) and then in the 60's (if my memory serves me correctly!) along came Australian gardens and their plantings. Back then in my opinion they were hideous. Tan bark everywhere, scraggly bushes and a limited array of (non-English type) flowers. The thought of seeing that en masse - even with the wonderful reports and reviews I had received on the Cranbourne Gardens ensured that they weren't on the top of my visitng list. Well they are now! We've come a long way with design and choice planting since those days of the 60's. Thank goodness! So come for a walk with me - you won't regret it even if you're not a 'gardener'.

So familiar - the Australian bush

Simple wandering design (even the tan bark doesn't offend)

Great signage

In the shelter learn the history of our land and its plants

Who says Australian plants aren't colourful?

Tiptoe across the lake 

Mass plantings and structure - wonderful

The fascination of netting your own tiddlies, worms and other weird and wonderful creatures

So if you've been promising yourself you'll make a visit - just do it! Of course if you've been before I hope this will prompt you to visit again. Take a picnic (well maybe not in the winter but...) or enjoy a coffee and perhaps a light lunch in the cafe. Take your time - explore and learn about our own native flora (and fauna - the odd wonderfully named bandicoot can often be seen). As I was wandering these huge gardens I recalled my favourite English war-bride-aunt saying it took her 20 years to love a gum tree. She would have loved these gardens. What a way to spend a day. 

Rust, water features, paddling, exploring - what fun

This ain't no ordinary 60's native garden! (aasarchitecture.com)

Have you been? Do you agree that it's one of (outer) Melbourne's hidden gems? It's open 9-5 every day and the entrance is - free!