Just in time for school holidays the National Gallery of Victoria, in collaboration with Melbourne artist Jon Campbell, will open just sing what you feel, a contemporary art project created for children and families.
Drawing inspiration from everyday life, language and rock ‘n’ roll, Campbell will create an interactive space that celebrates summer in Melbourne.
Campbell takes motifs from Australian culture and transforms them into a colourful display of words and illustrations encouraging audiences to look more closely at the world around them, finding meaning and beauty in the everyday.
Andrew Clark, NGV Deputy Director said: “This project signals an exciting new direction for the NGV as the first of a new program of innovative exhibitions that will encourage children and families to discover and engage with contemporary art and artists.
“Participation will be at the heart of these exhibitions. With an emphasis on imagination, interaction and creativity, they will promote the enjoyment and understanding of contemporary art for our younger audience and foster a lifelong engagement with the NGV, its programs and its collections,” said Mr Clark.
just sing what you feel is a three-part installation of music and visual art. Children and families are invited to create their own DIY backyard experience using Campbell’s colourful drawings of everyday outdoor items including deck chairs, BBQs or plants.
The more vocal visitors can sing a duet with Campbell in interactive karaoke booths. Children watch, listen, sing along to and record Campbell’s yeah, yeah, yeah song.
Jon Campbell, Artist said: “I’ve always liked the idea of my work doing something other than just being looked at. The fact that one of my songs will go out to the world as a duet, emailed home and heard several thousand times is incredible.”
The final space celebrates the ‘yeah’ flag, a concept developed by Campbell in 2004 which aims to create a new way of thinking about our future.
Campbell has said that the yeah flag is intended to be used by different people in different contexts – it is not restricted to one nationality, one group of people, one way of thinking.
Visitors will be encouraged to imagine their own special word and illustrate it on a flag which can be taken home or left in the gallery as part of a large installation of flags.
just sing what you feel is an exhibition that will appeal to anyone who has ever said ‘yeah’, loved a suburban backyard, or listened to rock ‘n’ roll.
just sing what you feel forms part of NGV Summer, a series of exhibitions that offer a fresh, engaging and contemporary perspective over the warmer months.
just sing what you feel will be on display at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, 8 December 2012 to 17 February 2013. Open daily 10am–5pm. Entry is FREE.
-ends-