The newest space at the National Gallery of Victoria is NGV Studio. This unique space will celebrate Melbourne’s dynamic cultural networks and engage community groups, with a particular relevance to younger audiences.
Located at the corner of The Atrium and adjacent to the NGV Kids Corner at Federation Square, NGV Studio will present a program of fresh and lively exhibitions, installations and events that will actively involve many of Melbourne’s cultural communities.
NGV Studio will provide opportunities for community groups to present their art and culture, engage in key events and festivals and provide a space that promotes experimental art forms. This space encourages innovation and experimentation in content, context, interpretation and display.
The first event to be held in NGV Studio will present work by four of Melbourne’s leading Street Art Crews. This studio project allows viewers to watch the crews create their work from The Atrium at Federation Square until the space opens to the public in 2011.
Visitors to this exciting display will also be able to comment on these street art presentations online at the NGV’s Twitter page. #ngvstudio.
The first crew to kick off the contest in December will be Formula 1. Established in Melbourne in 2005 with just 5 members, the group has now grown to 14 artists who have collectively worked across many Australian and international street art scenes.
The artists collaborating in Formula 1 include the original members SIRUM, HOOKR, PILFA, PERSO and DETCH as well as new like-minded members SHEM, GRATER, Amelia Lackman, PHAT1 (NZ), MONSTER (FR), GIRO, PLEA and G.ROCK.
David Hurlston, Curator Australian Art, NGV, said: “This is an exciting new development at the NGV. Watch this space evolve over the coming months as we present the work of some of Melbourne’s best Street Art Crews.”
The crew that receives the most comments via Twitter and Facebook will be selected to show their work at the NGV Studio when it officially opens in 2011.
Jeremy Gaschk, Guest Project Coordinator, said: “The NGV Studio provides a unique opportunity for Street Art to be presented as a legitimate art form. This is an exciting project for the crews to be involved in and it’s a great way to kick start this new space at the NGV.
NGV Studio is located at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia.
-ends-