29.1.09

HEATBUSTING SHOWS OF THE WEEK

get thee to the ngv
OK so here's cool tip number three... get into the NGV people! Often overlooked during the heatwave it's an excellent locale for more calmly keeping yourself from melting. All of the space of the local shopping mall but instead of screaming children, overwrought desperate parents and crappy discount stores full of things you don't need you get air-conditioned comfort and top drawer culture all in one well designed package... and that just has to be better doesn't it?

The NGV international has a great show on at the moment by one the today's leading photographers, Andreas Gursky. He also happens to be Beck's favourite photographer. Gursky utilises the visual elements of scale, pin sharp detail, brilliant colour and the systematic repetition of the built environment to create illuminating commentaries on contemporary consumer society. Beautifully crafted images, especially inspirational for any textile designers out there and well worth the price of admission.

Also on offer is Remaking Fashion, which delves into the archives to reveal the NGV’s rare and extensive collection of Pierre Cardin toiles from the 1950's (Mad Men fans you won't want to miss these) as well as showcasing more contemporary 'in progress' pieces by designers including Rei Kawakubo, Martin Margiela, Helmut Lang, Yohji Yamamoto, Alber Elbaz for Lanvin, Nicholas Ghesquiére and John Galliano. We love this excavating of fashion's bones and it will be excellent to get a sneak peak into the crafting of some major couture from the cardboard up. If that's not enough to wet your whistle there are the smaller showcases as well as the permanent collection to gape at... of course last but by no means least there's always the water-wall.
happy gawking people.

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