The Library

Strange as it may seem, I have never been to the State Library before. Decided to go and have a look at the exhibition on there and take in the building as well.

Inspiration by Design, a new exhibition at the State Library of Victoria that showcases 150 objects from the last 150 years, all celebrating beautiful books.

All the objects are from the National Art Library at London's Victoria and Albert Museum, one of the leading museums of art and design. 

Book of hours

They range from mediaeval illustrated manuscripts to cool art deco graphics; from a red-painted Indian chief to Moonstrips Empire News, Eduardo Paolozzi's scrapbook of 1950s popular culture fragments; from Picasso cartoons to a spectacular modern leather-bound Bible; from Beatrix Potter to daring David Hockney illustrations.

Mary Quant fashion with Jean Shrimpton

But it is not all about old book but really the development of the book in publishing as well as the work of the Artists .

It was appropriate as there was also an exhibition in the lower gallery about the changing form of the book.
"reports of the death of the book have been greatly exaggerated (to paraphrase Mark Twain)

The library dome and the wonderful symmetry of the reading room is legend 
It was great to see it from many heights!

A spiral staircase in each 'corner' of the space

Sore Feet 2

I had been planning to attend the Refugee Rally but realise that this was the last day of the Garden Show so decided I could do both!
Arrived at the Garden show at 11 and left there to get to the rally at the Library at 130pm. There were some speeches and music then we walked to Victoria Gardens

Lots of sideline watchers and a few joined the march. Would have hated to be driving in town and forgot or not realised about the March.
 A huge crowd on the Library steps.

these girls are from Kilbreda (my school)

 I particularly like this young man's stand!

heading out

Got chatting with the Halls Gap banner holders!

Bought a T shirt!

this was the main message 

After it all I slipped into the National gallery for a reviving rest and cup of tea 

Admired the new Installation in the Courtyard. Reminiscent of one I saw with Celia on the Highline

Six large sculptural columns by Sydney-based artist Jamie North features plant life growing from concrete pylons in an apparent state of erosion. Each column, ascending from a solid base to a condition of lesser materiality, will be slowly overrun by creeping vines (Pandorea pandorana) that reflect the artist’s lifelong engagement with the observance and cultivation of plants.

Sore Feet

Nothing like trekking around a garden show to get worn out!

There was a queue for tickets of course but organised so slipped in quickly.
I decide to see everything would be impossible so I went looking for ideas for the courtyard garden.(Aireys can wait)

an espaliered camellia. Bridie would like this!

Attended a good talk about espaliered trees which would work well to cover the fence we have.
There were also lots of garden art to inspire, and all on a lovely sunny day !

lots of birds and birdhouses

I want to use the succulents and stone near the water tanks

Succulents in the top of tall pots look good 

using bamboo canes in a fan shape 

these are garden edges. I like the industrial look

A crowd at the hanging Basket competition. Couldn't see John and gwen's

The beautiful exhibition building 

Gaultier!  eat your heart out!

The rose is a dense petaled one. Didn't seem to have a scent.

My lunch spot

Love the bird bath

a quirky grass display

An idea for my succulents!  I have plenty of stones!

A variation on Massed planting. Could try this on the fence

Shifting Gear

Shifting Gear: Design, Innovation and the Australian Car is an exhibition about the search for and development of an Australian car.
Definitely not just for the car enthusiast, some were pieces of beauty!

Shifting Gear is a celebration of Australian automobile design represented by twenty-three cars, dating from late nineteenth century to the present day. It demonstrates the skill and sophistication of an automobile industry that could design and manufacture a mass-produced car from the ground up, a feat not many countries can boast.

This is a holden!! New development design

There was this beautiful car in the foyer looking like a sleek Jaguar, but all crawling around it kept saying "A Holden!!" as if they do not make things of beauty.
Certainly many cars today all look very alike (try to find your silver car in the car park!) I particularly can't understand the mundane look of the small Mercedes and BMW. They look like any other small hatch. If I drove one I would like it to look like a BMW!
The exhibition traces the development of the family car from its earliest steam driven /horseless carriage" There were  a lot of stories behind the development of some great vehicles and the people who styled them.

Bolwell Nagari 

There was the Bolwell car  (Factory on Wells Road Seaford) that we know about because Celia boarded with Bev Bolwell while at Teachers college.

Then there is Lewis Bandt who in 1924 was apprenticed at age of 14 to a car maker and his job was to draw up special bodies for customers
Then in 1933 which Australia recovering from the depression, he made automative history when  he was tasked by Ford in Melbourne to design car that could be 'driven to church on Sunday but feed the sheep during the week".
He designed the Ute!

The interior of the tray is wood.

This untouched 1934 model was found in 1987 under a peppercorn tree in Gippsland. It has not been restored at all.

Holden Hurricane Coupe Concept car.

Buick Avenir concept model MADE OF AUTOMATIVE MODELLING CLAY!

What I didn't know is that there are Concept cars made, that are never meant to go into production but for design ideas. The beautiful Holden at the top is one of these.
I'm thinking of trading up, That will be my goal!!!

The New Park

I was in at RCH today and remembered that the new Park had opened.

From the top of the hill...

When the new hospital was built and the old one demolished there was a government agreement with the local community that the land would revert to parkland. It is now a walking park and playground area unfenced form the hospital grounds and on a sunny day was full of kids, with parents arriving with picnics.

So I went on a  walk around the Grass Circle The playgrounds and the hill.The hill has been visible since demolition started and I expected it to be hauled away but it is now a grass covered hill with the main Royal Park behind

  The Park takes up the whole site of the old Nurses' home and the car park and I have included some directional views

View to Gatehouse St. These houses are directly opposite the site of  the old car park

Facing the other way to the new Wards area

New Hotel behind the Front entry Bld (L of pic)

Looking directly up from the site of the Nurses' home driveway

Similarly the Emergency Driveway

Path along Gatehouse St to North

The new park features more than 1,100 trees and 17,500 plants, shrubs and grasses. It includes open lawns, play equipment, walking paths and amenities such as seating, drink fountains, picnic tables and BBQs. Nature-based play spaces include a climbing forest, a rocky wall with slides, swings and water, and sand play elements – all designed to encourage children to interact with nature.

A shallow fountain (Not sure if it is movement activated)

One area of playground

A great climbing frame

Some great walking paths. Gatehouse St is behind the trees.

Lots of paths leading around 

And for the lost souls