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By: Max Olijnyk
Date: 2nd Apr 08
Medium: Installation
Drink: Anything, as long as you look good holding it
What:
Melbourne, and Other Myths
Where:
City Museum at Old Treasury, Spring Street (top end of Collins Street), Melbourne
When:
Open until Sun 25 May, Mon -Fri 9am -5pm, Sat - Sun 10am - 4pm
How much:
$5 entry
Contact:
9651 2233
Image Credit:
Sample Frame from animation ‘Be Famous and Die’ by Simon O’Carrigan
Melbourne, and Other Myths examines the mysterious charm of this city in a way that is altogether more interesting and less embarrassing than the ads with the giant balls of wool.
The work on display is inspired by three anonymous rants found by concept curator Martyn Pedler* at various locations around the city: on platform 4 of Flinders St Station, recorded midway through a tape from a garage sale and discarded photocopies from a publishing house.
The stories speak of parks where girls are always crying, pointless sculptures of a guy called Batman and the way the Bourke St. tram seems to play chicken with Parliament House.
Accompanying animations (by artists of Melbourne collective, Tape Projects) and photography are inspired by the stories on display. 'Artefacts' such as cigarette packets with maps drawn on them are kept in Perspex cases and labelled with great attention to detail. Strolling through the grand rooms of the old City Museum, you start to get the feeling someone is pulling your leg, yet the stories and memories still ring true.
* So, this guy happens to be our film editor, too. We accidentally left the cage door open and he escaped to curate an exhibition.