MOVING GALLERIES’ ‘TRANSFORMATION’ EXHIBITION LAUNCHED [17.06.2009]
Moving Galleries, an initiative of the Committee for Melbourne, today launched its latest exhibition of travelling art and poetry that touched on the theme of transformation, at Melbourne’s iconic Flinders Street Station.
Parliamentary Secretary for Public Transport and the Arts, Mr Rob Hudson officially launched the exhibition together with Connex’s Deputy Chairman Mr Bruce Hughes, Committee for Melbourne’s Chairman, Mr George Pappas, and artists and poets of the exhibition.
“What differentiates one city from another is the way in which culture moves within its structure, working to shape a city, ultimately giving it its own personality,” Mr Pappas said.
Moving Galleries’ latest exhibition, Transformation, shows art projects that ‘transformed’ everyday spaces in and around Melbourne and poetry that explores the theme of ‘transformation’, by observations on the seasons, the natural world, work and human relations.
The exhibition documents art projects that enlivened spaces such as laneways, city buildings, and iconic landmarks, such as Federation Square and St. Pauls Cathedral, altering their everyday appearance.
Amongst the exhibition is Mr Robbie Rowland’s The Upholsterer, an interior manipulation, and Martin Corompt and Philip Brophy’s No Answer, a series of unreachable payphones ringing and illuminating Lush Lane.
“Three hundred and fifty thousand people every day have the opportunity to enjoy these works… with more than 200 million customer trips each year – that really is bringing art to the people,” Mr Hughes said.
The Moving Galleries initiative reflects its creative use of public spaces, making art and literature accessible to everyone, reinforcing Melbourne as the nation’s cultural and creative capital.
Supported by the Department of Transport and Connex, Moving Galleries has been moving art and poetry around the metropolitan region since 2006, as part of the Committee for Melbourne’s incentive to build on Melbourne’s renowned cultural identity.
Moving Galleries’ 2009 Transformations exhibition will be appearing on 40 Connex trains and will continue for approximately six months.