Tutankhamun/Vienna Art & Design Melbourne

the neon signs are colourful, especially at night

eastern gateway

Chinatown

on of the festival activities in the Arts Centre impromptu ink drawing

 An expedition to Melbourne mid week was great with good food, accommodation at Mecure inner city Chinatown and 2 exhibitions that were well worth the trip. After being ejected from my booked window seat by a young mum and her obstropulous 12 month old, I thought demon babies were banned fron Melbourne. The highlight of the Festival of Melbourne were the exhibits of giant demonic baby figures appearing at various prominent sites around the city arts precinct. The theme was Angels and Demons, and think I will leave any discussion on their significance at that along withthe significance of Meatloaf, who also made an appearance.

Vienna Art and Design at the National Gallery of Victoria featured furniture , architecture, ornaments and artworks from the 1900's with artists Schiele, Klimt, Kokoschtka, Mahler, and others.There were not many paintings but the murals from Klimt were spectacular, presented on plaster blocks resembling sandstone and presented up high on the walls. Replica architectural models of theatres, museums and arthouses decorated with gold that were typical of the enclosed city of Vienna were on display. The designs showed an easy preview of what was to come in the 20's and 30's when Art Deco began to emerge. White and gold featured in all art and design and a distinct elongation of figures and architectural models added a style of elegance and refinement to the era        http://www.expo-klimt.com             Gustav-Klimt-The-Three-Ages-of-Woman-51150.jpg











klimt.love.jpg    klimt_228x245.jpg    1211555828203.jpg


http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/vienna/painting/egon-schiele

Tutankhamun exhibit at the Melbourne Museum was my next stop.               

Despite the high volume of visitors and children present, the exhibition was monitored and flowed smoothly so that all the beautiful artifacts could be easily accessible for viewing. The wonderful soundtrack and some narration provided an awesome atmosphere and amazingly the apparent silence and appreciation of sacredness of the ancient exhibits was experienced by all patrons. The highlight of the show was the golden sarcophagus which encased 4 other golden caskets holding the remains of the young king Tutankhamen. I had a digitally enhanced photograph taken with the golden casket in the foreground.        http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show
http://www.akhet.co.uk/tutankh.htm    

The fascination with the discovery of ancient ruins is still incredibly prevalent amongst all ages and theeducational side of this is why the exhibition is so popular. I spent a couple of hours here but could easily return for an encore visit, it was so intriguing



Just before leaving Melbourne, I arranged to be picked up from the Carlton Hotel in the city and what a find that was. I went upstairs to get a drink and to my surprise, I found a jungle wonderland with stuffed wild animals hiding amongst palms, foliage, urns, lamps and maroon velvet booths, wallpaper and carpet. What an eclectic wine bar reminiscent of the 60's SoI sat with my animalia friends had a couple of drinks and said goodbye to Melbourne ,probably for the last time

Max and the Where the willd things are on the way down and Rumble in the Jungle at the Carlton on the way back up...oh , and I forgot the Demon Babies.....I'll be having nightmares for months...

The roof

peacocks

that's a green spotted Rhino

ostrich with pearl neck

velvet and velour

maroon,yellow,blue