Escher x nendo at National Gallery of Victoria

Last week I finally started my 2019 Adventure Days. 

What are my Adventure Days? 

Each week I spend one day exploring somewhere or some thing in my home town Melbourne. 

So last week I took myself off to the National Gallery of Victoria to view the Escher x nendo exhibition. We have had some really hot and humid days in Melbourne lately, but wouldn't you know it as soon as I got off the train we got a huge downpour. I knew it wouldn't take long to pass, so I just hung out on Flinders St. Station for a while. 

The seagulls were up bright and early having a bath

The moat at the front of the NGV was getting a clean out.

 Maurits Cornelius Escher or MCE as he signed his work was born in 1898 to a prosperous family in the Netherlands and in1972 at the age of 73. He was a graphic artist who produced some amazing mathematically inspired woodcuts, lithographs and mezzotints. After training and working in Italy for a number of years his departure from Rome prompted him to shift focus away from the external world to his inner, imaginary world. He began using his refined skills to produce ingenious and complex optical illusions, tessellations and impossible realities. 

M C Escher created this self portrait of himself sitting in his living room

Japanese design studio nendo has created and immersive environment for more than 160 prints and drawings of Escher's work. Nendo is a design studio founded in 2002 by Oki Sato, one of the worlds most well-known and prolific designers. Based in Tokyo and Milan, nendo (meaning clay in Japanese) designs graphics, products, furniture and interiors that seek to surprise people in subtle and playful ways. 

While walking through this piece of art I got an amazing sense of 

peacefulness, even though there were quite a few people. 

The optical illusion of this tunnel was deceiving 

as it looked long but was quite short. 

Interesting small piece of art

Dragon : 1952 

Print of a wood engraving depicting a folded paper dragon sitting on a pile of crystals.

 I love the detail in this piece. 

Bond of Union : 1956

Inspired by the novel Invisible Man by H G Wells. 

The floating spheres of Escher and his wife Jetta enhance the suggestion of infinite space.

Plane Filling 11 : 1957

The more you look at this piece the more you see.

Belvedere : 1958

In Belvedere, we perceive a two story building that could not possibly exist in the

 real world because the orientation of the second floor contradicts that of the first floor. 

I have been intrigued by Esther's work for many years. Back in the 90's I bought a diary that featured Escher's works and they just intrigued me. 

Ascending and Descending : 1960

A closer look at the staircase in Ascending and Descending. 

Does the staircase go up or down?

 Does it go anywhere. 

The way Escher played with perspective and impossibilities is just amazing. No matter how many times you look at a piece of his art, each time you notice some other quirky portion. 

Snakes : 1969

This piece depicts a disc made up of interlocking circles that grow progressively 

smaller towards the centre and towards the edge. 

I really love the detail in this piece of art. 

Seeing I hadn't had breakie, by the time I had finished at the 

NGV I was pretty hungry. So it was a big bowl of 

Won Ton Noodle Soup for Davine. 

Shrine of Remembrance - Melbourne

The Shrine of Remembrance is the National War Memorial of Victoria, a monument dedicated to all those who have served in the armed conflicts and peacekeeping operations in which Australia participated.

The Shrine of Remembrance with the Eternal Flame

Originally built in the 1920's as a memorial for the 89,000 Victorian men and women who served overseas in World War 1 and the 19,000 who made the supreme sacrifice. Although other monuments in the Shrine Reserve commemorate later services, the Shrine itself now honours all men and women who have served. It belongs to yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Poppy Courtyard

As we arrived at the Shrine the first area we came across was one of the courtyards. This courtyard was black walls with many many red poppies poked into holes and what looked like a huge poppy suspended above. 

The Poppy Courtyard from above

It wasn't until we could view the poppy courtyard from above that we could see the beauty of the suspended poppy. Our tour guide also informed us that the thousands of holes in the black walls that all the poppies were stuck into actually said the "Ode to Remembrance"in morse code. 

Gallery of Medals

At the entry of the Shrine we were confronted by the Gallery of Medals. This wall of medals certainly emphasises the scale of Victoria's service since World War 1.  This hallway exhibits over 4000 replica service medals since the Boer War. Each medal represents one hundred Victorians who served in armed conflicts and peacekeeping operations.

View along St Kilda Rd / Swanston St, Melbourne

Standing on the second floor balcony you get the most amazing view of Melbourne's CBD. 

Can you see William Barak?

Looking northward up along St. Kilda Rd and Swanston St. you can see the majestic St Pauls Cathedral. Beyond the Cathedral you can see a newly built striped building. Without our extremely knowledgeable tour guide we would never have noticed the magnificence in front of us. Can you see it? Constructed into the balconies of the apartment building is the face of the Wurunjeri elder William Barak. Not only was William Barak an elder of the Wurunjeri, an artist he was a social justice leader. We were absolutely amazed at this beautiful acknowledgment of a great Australian from a private building. 

Father and Son 

Centrally placed in the crypt is this very powerful sculpture "Father and Son", with this inscription. 

THESE FIGURES OF FATHER AND SON HONOUR THE COURAGE AND SACRIFICE WHICH LINK TWO GENERATIONS OF VICTORIAN SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED AND DIED IN WORLD WARS 

1914-1918 AND 1939 - 1945

Changi Flag

Captain Kenneth Parsons,2/3 Motor Ambulance Convoy, removed this union flag from the Sultan of Johore's palace in late January 1942 to prevent it from falling into Japanese hands. After Singapore's surrender on 15 February 1942, Parsons and the other Australian medical officers concealed the flag for the entire three and a half years of their imprisonment in Changi. Between 1942 and 1945, over 100 signatures were placed on the flag. Of these, 91 are Australian, including 33 Victorians, 36 New South Welshman, 16 Queenslanders and 2 Western Australians. The rest are attributed to members of the liberating forces. 

The Devanha Landing Boat

The "Devanha" landing boat is the last remaining of the six landing boats that ferried ANZAC troops to the beaches at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915.  I must admit standing beside this amazing piece of history I could almost feel the spirit of the men aboard. 

Remembrance Garden - Post World War 11 Memorial. 

Although a small out of the way area, this is a lovely peaceful spot and sit and appreciate all we have.

Hall of Columns

The Hall of Columns is part of the original substructure of the Shrine. Approximately four million bricks were used in the construction of the columns to support the original structure. This area has now been opened up to the public and with it's subdued lighting and many many artifacts it gives an atmosphere of contemplation. 

World War 11 Memorial

The World War 11 Memorial, which includes the Forecourt, Cenotaph, Eternal Flame and flagpoles, was built to commemorate all Victorians who served in World War 11. 

Close up view of the World War 11 Memorial

I've never been one for war stuff but I am so glad I included The Shrine in my adventure days. I learnt so much about some pretty sad history. War is a terrible terrible thing and these days we don't know from which direction it is coming. I don't have a solution, all I can do as one person is love and treat all other humans with kindness and compassion. 

The Golden Mile - Melbourne

For a number of years when I worked in Collins St. in the heart of Melbourne CBD, I would always see these little gold circles and bigger gold discs in the footpath saying "The Golden Mile". I would always say to myself - One day I will walk the Golden Mile and learn about it and this week was the week for me to do it. I could have done a guided tour that takes about 2 hours, but me being me I know I always venture off and find other interesting things along the way so I thought it best I do the self guided tour that I could upload via an app on my phone.

Golden Mile Discs

What is the "Golden Mile" I hear you ask. On the Golden Mile you trace the story of how migration and the immense wealth from gold shaped Melbourne. From 1835 when the first European settlers sailed up the Yarra River, to 1901 when "Marvellous Melbourne" became the first capitol of Australia. Looking out from the steps of the Immigration Museum, the former Customs House it is hard to believe that the sight I now see was Melbourne's earliest landing point.

Hard to imagine this was the original landing spot

The Mitre Tavern a place I have frequented a number of times in the past, has been a long time favourite for Melbourne lawyers and sporting men. The Tavern has occupied this site since the 1860's.

Mitre Tavern

The intersection of Collins and Queen streets was transformed into the banking hub of Melbourne back in the 1880's.The classical Bank of Australasia was erected in 1878, contrasts with the Gothic extravagance of the English, Scottish and Australia Bank  which was built in 1880-83. On the north west corner the National Mutual Life Company (now the Bank of New Zealand) was erected in 1891-93. But I think my favourite out of these amazing buildings would have to be William Pitts Stock Exchange Building (now ANZ Banking Museum)  built back in 1889. My ex- husband worked many years at this intersection and I was there a lot and I can't believe I have never ventured into this totally amazing space. The beauty actually took my breath away.

The English, Scottish and Australia Bank

The amazing ceiling in the ANZ Bank

The walls, ceiling and ambience is amazing

Beautiful stained glass window

Further along my journey, behind the modern façade of 333 Collins St is the amazing domed banking chamber of the former Commercial Bank of Australia. Even though this foyer can be busy with city workers walking to and fro, it is for some reason a very peaceful place to sit and people watch and admire the amazing work in the dome.

The Incredible Dome at 333 Collins St

While working in the city I would often wander into the beautiful Block Arcade and salivate at the delicacies in the window of the Hopetoun Tea Rooms. Established in the late 1890's by Lady Hoptoun for the Victorian Ladies' Work Association.

Hopetoun Tea Rooms

The top of Collins was the place for the upper class Melbournians as it was once a very fashionable residential address to have. Even today a handful of town houses and terraces remain. The Russell intersection has St. Michael's Uniting Church, a Romanesque style (1866) and it's Gothic neighbour Scots Church 1873. Joseph Reed was the designer of both these churches and David Mitchell, Scottish stonemason, gold rush immigrant and father of diva Dame Nellie Melba built Scots' Church.

Scots Church 

St Michael Church

After walking past many historic locations such as The Melbourne Club, Melbourne Lodge, Parliament House, Old Treasury Buildings, Princess Theatre, Chinatown, the Royal Society of Victoria I arrived at the Carlton Gardens and the beautiful Royal Exhibition Buildings. Joseph Reed's design for the exhibition Building, World Heritage listed in 2004, have been built in a design known as Rundbogenstil (round arch style). I fully intend to do a guided tour in this building as soon as possible as it has the most beautiful interior.

Royal Exhibition Buildings

But with that my self guided tour had ended and with my sore feet I headed to the station to head home.
It's amazing how someone can grow up in a city and not be aware of certain things until they reach 62, I am so glad I have committed to my weekly explorations.

Year of the Monkey

Last weekend we decided to have a day in the city visiting the Travel show, and the Lunar new Year celebrations at Crown Casino. I just love all the colours that come along with the Lunar New Year and the Year of the Monkey colours didn't disappoint.

The Hawkers Market was buzzing

The Money is the ninth in the 12 year cycle of the Chinese Zodiac. The years of the Monkey include 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028....

Year of the Monkey

The Monkey's strengths are said to be Brilliant, Independent, Honest, Cordial and Positive. Weaknesses are supposed to be Irritable, Impetuous, Easily Frustrated. They are also said to be Loyal, Faithful, Steady and Responsible. My son Shane was born in the year of the Monkey (1980) and I don't agree with all the above but some is spot on.

Year of the horse ..... My dear Dad was born in the year of the horse back in 1918.
1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1990, 2002, 2014, 2026....

I was born in the year of the Snake ... 1953
1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013, 2025...

Year of the Dragon....1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012, 2024.....

Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne

Today was another day of exploring for me, so I decided to head into the CBD and wander around the beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens. This 38 hectares of garden beds, tranquil lakes and amazing sweeping lawns was founded in 1846. It is home to 50,000 individual plants representing more than 9,000 species from around the world. The last time I was at the Botanic Gardens was in July 2014 when my son Shane and his then partner had their pre-wedding lunch prior to heading to the Wedding register for the ceremony. So my visit this morning bought back some lovely memories.

 I have never spent time wandering around these amazing gardens before, but after spending 2 1/2 hours there I now know what joy it can bring to your day spending it amongst so much beauty. There are trees planted by English Royalty as far back as the 1920's and I even saw a Queensland Kauri that was planted in the 1800's.

One Huge Queensland Kauri

But trees are not all that these gardens provide, there's a Children's Garden, Ornamental Lake, Guilfoyle's Volcano, the National Herbarium and various tours and performances at specific times.

Looking over Guilfoyle's Volcano

Dramatic Leaves