Open Studios in the West

The last few days I have been following some of the Open Studios around Footscray, yarraville, West Footscray and Braybrook.
thesis an opportunity to explore the diverse range of artists studios and galleries  This is the first I've seen of it, but it's in its 9th year!!
So I went to
Women of the West Photographic Exhibition at the Hub in Braybrook

Photos by Suzie Blake 

Maribyrnong City Council has launched a film and photography project that celebrates and showcases the achievements, experiences, diversity and leadership of women and girls who live, work, study or play in the City of Maribyrnong.
The photos were marvellous, and interesting bios of the subjects. 

This empty Chair (same place)
Day of Imprisoned Writer exhibition
Each chair represented a journalist or outspoken person currently imprisoned for his /her actions

Gaye Abandon School of sewing and up cycling in Footscray (Buckley street)

Gaye does  a lot with recycled wool (felted like these arm warmers and also hot water bottle covers)
Also some FANTASTIC Pouffes made from old wool dressing gowns with the lovely corded pocket in the design. She uses the sleeves so the slightly widening sleeve formed the curve of the sides and the cuffs a nice band at the top edge.Reminded me of my cushions from old blanket in cupboard at Aireys

my cushions 

 I had been to Mary's in Yarraville for brunch and then while I was there she arrived as well!!
We were interested in the sashiko visible mending workshop but it's when I'm in Sydney so will look again in new Year

and the to Post Industrial design for Jos Van Hulse to talk about his window.

This mirror is an example of his up cycling of stuff
Love the toilet chain!

His window I have seen for the last 3 years but went to a chat by him about how he got started.
Discussion among the group was about kids not allowed to hammer nail etc and any business workshop doing this is at risk of liability not making it worth while.
The window.

The monkey turn the wheel and the machine with balls on it rolls around 

The little pulleys of plain then wrapped gifts travel along between
 the 2 'factories' then spill out at bottom 

The rabbit turns the wheels 

The monkey tumbles 

A creative creature !

And I forgot to look for Superwoman (she is always there )!
'

Toni Maticevski

This exhibition of Australian designer Dark Wonderland was full of beautiful creations many in very subtle pale hues, but in varied and complementary fabric.

Detail of a gold mesh dress

The videos and interviews were really interesting

Toni Maticevski

Glomesh put to good use!

This is made of Neoprene !

Many pieces and varied fabrics incorporated

This was especially pretty

There were some in colour as well

The front with side panels 

The back!!

He also did a lot of work for Phillip Adams Ballet Lab. I actually saw this ballet!

And he designed the dress Jessica Mauboy wore in the Eurovision

Gimme Freedom (or Gimme Death)

I suddenly had the day free so decided to go to Bendigo to see the Tomi Matcevski exhibition.

At the Bendigo Gallery they also had a new exhibition by Jud Whimhurst called Gimme Freedom.

Gimme Freedom (or gimme death) is a major sculptural installation combining the iconography of fast food with the tactics of warfare, utilizing humour to draw attention to the darker side of consumerism and the artifice of freedom. 

Jud Wimhurst is the Bendigo Art Gallery 2016 Going Solo artist. 

Going Solo is an initiative providing contemporary artists living and working in central Victoria the unique opportunity to work collaboratively with curators and produce a new body of work for solo exhibition at the Gallery.

So it was all about war between the Fast food teams McDonalds, Colonel Sanders, and ? Pizza.

The full battle ground had ammunition of fries, sauce and mustard as well as small teams 

Each figure was carved then casta nd with individual faces Each about 30cm high.

It was all very cute and fun!

Video  was interesting about reason for his project and the construction

https://youtu.be/IhYEKK3MSR8

Viktor and Rolf

Viktor&Rolf: Fashion Artists explores Viktor & Rolf’s radical conception of ‘wearable art’. 

Since forming their creative partnership in 1992, Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren have gained critical acclaim for their cerebral and witty approach to couture. 

The exhibition, which coincides with the luxury fashion label’s twenty-fifth anniversary in 2017, explores the elements that make Viktor & Rolf designs unique in the contemporary fashion world.

Viktor&Rolf: Fashion Artists features some of the Dutch design duo’s most show-stopping and innovative works, drawn from the Viktor & Rolf archive as well as museum collections in the Netherlands. 

 All a bit weird but fascinating!!

They had these specially made dolls to record all their exhibition pieces All dressed in a miniature garment 

Sleep Time!

This believe it or not is made from wool carpet: with all but the relief bits pulled out!!

Cutting Edge Couture 

Even the frames form the dress

This gorgeous Automaton is in a fashion parade  Every 15 minutes
but can't get video to work
Here she is just at the end of the catwalk looking to the crowd!

Children's area ATELIER 

Central to Atelier is the stunning wedding dress Viktor & Rolf created for the royal wedding of HRH Princess Mabel and Prince Friso van Oranje-Nassau in 2004. Inspired by this magnificent bridal gown and the fashion artists’ preference for white, children are invited to construct a fashion accessory using different folding and layering techniques. Afterwards, kids can strike a pose in a diorama setting and have their fashion moment captured in a portrait that can be shared with friends and family.

Warm Project

On Friday I went with Sue Wendy and Betty to see The WARM project at the Geelong Wool Museum A fascinating place to visit at any time.
The WARM project  reflects on why the earth is warming and what we can do to create a sustainable and safe climate future.

WARM is made up of two large-scale images created byLars Sternberg

A landscape scarred by coal Mining.

The same landscape many decades later, regenerated and renewed after the closure of the coal mine.

From March to end of August 2016, knitters created hundreds of knitted pieces designed by Georgie Nicolson of tikki and including gum leaves, trees, native flowers, wind turbines and knitted squares. During several days of installation, these knitted pieces were assembled over a picture of the first image, to create the second image of the renewed landscape – like an enormous collage.

The finished piece

Leaves on the floor in front 

Pink heath

Wendy and the Wind turbine 

It was in definite 3D
the result was amazing