In 2013, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) launched their “largest and most ambitious project”. This exhibition, Melbourne Now, celebrated the latest in art, architecture, design, fashion and dance. And now, ten years later, it’s back.
The second edition of Melbourne Now has taken over all levels of The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia. It highlights the work of over 200 Victorian-based artists, designers, studios and films. Discover over 70 world-premiere works commissioned by NGV – with many of the artists presenting at the NGV for the very first time. This free exhibition is on display from March 24 to August 20, 2023.
Melbourne Now
This exhibition highlights a range of contemporary disciplines across fashion, jewellery, painting, sculpture, architecture, ceramics, video, virtual reality, performance, photography, printmaking, product design and publishing.
The exhibiting artists are all shaping the cultural landscape of Melbourne and Victoria. They include Christian Thompson, Ester Stewart, Atong Atem, Mia Boe, Kait James, Pitcha Makin Fellas, Layla Vardo, Nicholas Mangan, Fiona Abicare, Meagan Streader, Sean Hogan, Amos Gebhardt and Lisa Reid.
What can you look forward to?
Highlights include:
- A room-sized, neon-lit ‘temple’ made from thousands of computer fans by emerging artist Rel Pham, drawing on his Vietnamese heritage and interest in gaming culture.
- Inflatable walking frames tumbling into the foyer of the third floor, presented alongside dinosaur-shaped children’s chairs in Lou Hubbard’s Walking with Dinosaurs.
- The gallery illuminated with hand-painted paper lanterns in the shape of dilly bags by Larrakia/Wardaman/Karajarri artist Jenna Lee.
- A 10-metre-long installation from Lee Darroch, made from driftwood collected on Country in Duta Ganha Woka (Save Mother Earth).
- Swarming, a piece that is part playground and part photobooth by James Lemon. This invites people of all ages to learn about the importance of bee life through play.
- An immersive installation of Julia Ciccarone’s detailed paintings within the Impressionism galleries.
The exhibition will also include displays that provide an in-depth look into particular themes, media and technical innovations. The Design Wall will return with a large-scale installation, celebrating consumer products that were designed in Melbourne over the last decade. Representing 25 Melbourne design studios, products will include guitars, ladders, pillows and more.
Fashion Now will highlight the work of 18 local designers, ranging from couture to streetwear. This display will highlight how fashion reflects and is embedded in a city’s identity.
Slippery Images uses the work of 12 artists to reveal the loose and slippery aspects of photography. See an array of photographic works that are cut, collaged, painted, pierced and displayed in unconventional ways.
Community Hall
Community Hall is a free public program series inspired by the rich history of Australian community halls. The program features over 350 free talks, film screenings, live performances, events, workshops, drop-in activities and more. NGV has collaborated with a range of cultural and community organisations, including Multicultural Arts Victoria, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Queer Archives to develop this program.
One highlight is the Performance Program, which presents works by Melbourne-based performance artists, choreographers and dancers.
There will also be an Artists in Residence series, which invites different artists or designers to curate a range of programs inspired by their practices, including talks, workshops and more.
The Community Hall will also feature daily film screenings, created by 21 Melbourne-based filmmakers.
With over 200 ambitious projects on display, there’s so much more to discover. Find it at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, from now until August 20.