Wrong Way Time:

Last week we headed off to the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) to see an exhibition (free) which had tickled himself's fancy.  As an aside, we really need to go to the Gallery more often.  Much more often.

To my shame I knew less than nothing about the featured artist, Fiona Hall.  She is one of our own contemporary artists and her repetoire includes photography, sculpture, metal work, textiles and more.  And I also learned that she designed the fern garden which features at the Gallery.

The exhibition 'Wrong Way Time' was brought to Canberra after being showedcased at at the 56th International Art Exhibition, Venice Biennale.  About which I also knew nothing. 

I loved this quote by the artist:

''The world is such an amazing place, yet sadly we are living in troubled times and that sense is reflected in a lot of the works. It was an honour to present the show in Venice and now to bring it to Canberra, especially as I have a longstanding relationship with the NGA'


I found the exhibition beautiful, confronting, sad and at times it was beyond my comprehension.  There were also pieces which made me laugh out loud.  We may go back so I can muse over pieces again.  

Less talk.  More images.  Lots of images.  The gallery has finally allowed visitors to take photos.  No flash though, which is a partial excuse for some of the images to follow.  And to my pleasure selfie-sticks are also banned.

  

These were constructed from shredded camouflage uniforms.

The leaves are laid over banknotes from the country they originated in.

This was part of 'Crust'.  Carved from loaves of bread, resting on world atlases open to sites of political, cultural and environmental crisis.   Some heart-breaking creations here.

More heartbreak.  Canned whale.

 
There were lots of clocks.  Which ticked and bonged and chimed.  And reminded us that time is ticking away...

Even by my standards this is getting photo heavy.  I think I will spread it out, and if you are interested put up more from this exhibiton next week.

Mapping our World

Another outing, another exhibition, another treat.

We are on a bit of a roll at the moment.  Last week we went to our National Library to see 'Mapping Our World:   Terra Incognita to Australia.'

I find old maps romantic.  Here be dragones...  And they are frequently beautiful.  And I am amazed at their accuracy - and sometimes at their inaccuracy.

Photography was banned at this exhibition too.  And they were very serious about it.  Mobile phones turned off (and a guard or two in each room).  Large handbags/shoulder bags to be checked in before entering.  So again I have bought postcards - which I am happy to share.  Let me know in the comments if you would like one.

I took a few photos (on my phone) before we went in.

And then to the exhibition.
Starting with a fridge magnet (of course).

Amazingly, this exhibition was free.  And the crowd control was very well done.  Relatively small numbers of people were allowed into the exhibition at a time, which meant that looking at the exhibits, reading about them, absorbing them was not only possible, but enjoyable.

The earliest map featured was from c.1050 and was itself a copy of a map originally created in 425 AD by the Roman philosopher Macrobius.  It shows the way that Europe viewed the world, dividing it into zones or climates.  Pretty amazing for the time.  Macrobius imagined the Antipodes to the south as a large, frozen and undiscovered land.  And was surprisingly accurate when Antarctica is factored in.

The most recent map in the exhibition was published in 1814 after Mathew Flinders had completed the first circumnavigation of Australia.  And the detail and the accuracy was phenomenal.

The exhibition includes maps, atlases, globes and instruments - including a long case clock which travelled with Captain Cook (unsurprisingly it apparently was in need of repair by the time he reached Australia).

I was, and am in awe at the courage, initiative and sheer skill of the early explorers - and the cartographers.  Many of the maps are works of art.

I could rabbit on indefinitely, but won't.  A selection of the post cards follows instead.  Clicking will embiggen them so you can see some of the details.

And, as I said, I am happy to share them and will post a card to anyone who wants one - until I run out.