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. 

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.....

Montsalvat

This weeks exploration was to Montsalvat, Australia's oldest artists'community. Located only three minutes from my home it was a great location to head to for an afternoon. Originally established in 1934 by Justus Jorgenson, Montsalvat, classified by the National Trust is home to many beautiful buildings, houses and halls set amongst over 12 acres. Montsalvat's history, as is today a place that nurtures art in all it's forms - painting, sculpture, photography, drawing, musical performance and instrument making and many more. Currently Montsalvat beautiful grounds are used for performances, weddings, exhibitions and many artists continue to reside in Montsalvat.

Heidi Museum of Modern Art

This weeks adventure took me to a location a little closer to home as it was only about a 10 minute drive. I have driven past "Heide Museum of Modern Art" many many times and always tell myself I will go in there one day - so this week the time had come. Even though I am not a huge fan of modern art, this museum didn't disappoint in stretching my life experiences and knowledge. As much as the art was interesting I think the story of John and Sunday Reed, the couple that gave birth to this historic gallery was the highlight for me. The  museum is located in the suburb of Bulleen, but back in 1934 when it was originally built the suburb was called Heidelberg, which is where the name came from. Heide was the affectionate name for Heidelberg John and Sunday gave to their property.

The Museum consists of three buildings, Heide 1 which is the original house where John, Sunday and their adopted son Sweeney lived. Numerous artists such as Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker and many more also lived there at various times over the years. During these times there were many intermingled relationships between the artists. One such relationship is said to have been a ménage a trios between John, Sunday and Sidney. This building is currently holding the Modern Love: The Lives of John and Sunday Reed exhibition. 

Sidney Nolan, Kelly at the Mine 1946-47
Painted while living at Heide. 

Heide 1 - The home of John and Sunday Reed

Heide 11 currently has an Alex Selenitsch: Life/Text exhibition which didn't grab me but I found some pieces interesting. 

Interesting but baffled me a bit

Heide 111 holds a few different exhibitions but currently one of them is the Aleks Danko: My Fellow Aus-Tra-Aliens exhibition. I found most of his pieces very interesting and thought provoking. 

Thought provoking work of Aleks Danko

There is also a couple of kitchen gardens that supply the Cafe' Vue and lastly the Sculpture Garden. 

Entrance to one of the kitchen gardens

Basket and Waves - 1984

Scales - 1987

All in all I really enjoyed my morning at Heide. I am finding on my weekly adventures there are so many people stories that I am just finding amazing and interesting. I would recommend anyone visit this gallery, even if it's just to delve into the John and Sunday Reed story. 

William Ricketts Sanctuary

Yes, today was another day of exploration and what a fabulous day it turned out to be. My exploration today took me up to Mount Dandenong to the William Ricketts Sanctuary. I have had this attraction on my list to see for a while but never really knew anything about it, except that there were sculptures throughout the bush, but it is so much more than that.

Now owned by Parks Victoria there is no entry fee, but they appreciate any donations. I chose to pay $5.00 for a self-walk audio tour, and am so glad I did. I learnt so much more than what I would have just walking around. Situated in a ferny glade in the Dandenongs, William Ricketts Sanctuary is a place of total beauty and spirituality, due to the 90 plus mystical sculptures positioned through the this idyllic location.

As well as the amazing sculptures the William Ricketts story is extremely interesting. Born in Richmond, Victoria in 1898 William Ricketts was a non trained potter, a jewellery maker and a violinist who settled permanently in stunning Mount Dandenong in 1934. Here he started his major artistic work, creating this amazing spiritual sculpture park.

From 1949 to 1960 he spent a lot of time in Central Australia, living with Pitjantjatjara and Arrernte Aboriginal people, whose traditions and culture inspired his spiritual sculptures. He worked on his sculptures until his death in 1993.

I would really recommend a visit to this attraction and also delving into the William Ricketts story - what an amazingly talented man.