MONA, LISA and the SEXUALLY STIMULATING BUILDINGS OF TASMANIA!

I have been away. A long over due short respite.

Never had the inking to go there before but the news of the 'new' and incredible gallery had me convinced I should see this back water that feels like a a backyard (over some water) to Melbourne. I would have previously typified it as a quaint and humble country style get away.

Reluctantly I booked flights to Tasmania and back - Hobart to be precise. Destination MONA Museum of Old and New Art. While I was going to be in the Apple Isle I had heard Cradle Mountain was quite good to, so I booked two nights at the Cradle Mountain Lodge. I had no expectation and am usually up for a bit of the unknown.

Well %$#@ me!

I was totally surprised by the Architecture in Hobart - they have keep everything that most cities have torn down. Such a conglomeration beautifully kept, the streets are clean and the air so crisp it snap froze my checks - all four of them to a beautiful pink glow!

There were a few stand outs for me, one of which was this amazing orange monolith. 

Exquisite Tangerine Excellence!

I  am guessing this glass beauty is anywhere from '63 to '68. 

I was pleased to see great examples of Brutalist Architecture around the harbor, this is the Hobart Hospital. 

Brilliant glass and textured cement towers.

This too caught my eye, had I had more time I would have delved more into the history and use of these buildings, my snap shots for now must suffice. Love the sweeping curvaceousness of this and the dynamism of the lines as your eyes cast across those very sensuous lines.

Now this is just chunky waffle goodness, magnificent in its hollow exterior and the step effect interplay of the planes this seriously impresses me.

As I headed to see the reason for my Tassie Visit I was able to spy this inter-fold facade of cleverness with tight bold exacting boxes jutting out - as someone who thoroughly enjoys form these buildings delighted me. Some women love shoes, some are stimulated by precious stones and meaningless jewelry not me this stuff does it for me tenfold it sets of all kinds off buttons and triggers...

So then I headed on to...
MONA

I understand why people don't say much about their visits there it really must be experienced. Here are some images to incite you to simply go. These images are pretty much just the walls...its as sexy as hell in there!

 Oh the textures most of this place is subterranean literally...

 Aquatic Instillation Art!

Ok so I do like these shoes and they were surprisingly comfortable...give yourself at least 4 hours at Mona. I am itching to return, there are some sexual pieces but it is not grotesque nor is it overly confronting. The amazing this is the diversity of the museum and it is simply one mans collection of art, it is not thematic nor is it curatorially edited, it is diverse impressive and compelling. Hats of to Mr David Walsh the owner and founder. It houses a crypt and you can be entombed after cremation and be there in spirit for eternity. It certainly brings a new meaning to the expression 'Art to Die For'.

Stay tuned for Tassie part 2...I had an outdoor adventure! 

Meanwhile get your toush to tassie. 

Air kisses and love babies!

For the Love of Art

Long before I understood what it was that I was taking into the deepest recesses of my nubile mind I have been captivated by dimensions and scale. I think art is best taken in like that openly without preconception or filtering through the critical or cynical mind.

Sculpture is something that truly excites me there is something so remarkable about the three dimensional form and it being appreciable and transitional from every angle.

In terms of sculpture the stand outs are as follows.
Allen Jones 1969

Then there's Jeff Koons and his take on German kitch - think Hansel and Gretel on acid but my heart belongs to puppy. A three story tall steel structure that is replete with floral 'fur' the concept alone is mind boggling let alone its execution. I think he is a contemporary Warhol. This image to my knowledge is the first and original 'Puppy' and has been recreated on a number of occasions around the world including Rockefeller Center.
PUPPY Jeff Koons

Puppy Two

A few years at the National Gallery of Victoria to see Man Ray I discovered the Mr and Mrs Woodman series. Clever Subtle Erotic and Intense they are housed at the Centre Pompidou in France. I am still astounded by the intimacy achieved by these inanimate objects, I find these images beautifully touching.

I have been drawing faceless dolls for years before I seeing these images and related to the tone of the works the juxtaposition of the materials and content, the lack of faces - void of detail that emitted an audible sensual roar. The images shown here are quite tame there are more in the series that take on a more intense and exacting sexual tone. It is also of note the period these works were created.

My version of little faceless beings in love My art 'Love Soaked Sox' and another 'It's All About the Dance - and the music only you two hear. It's all about the Dance

A more recent find a neat little sculpture...'The Power of Love' by Mathieu Lehanneur -you can listen to it...together! 

And if ever you find yourself at http://www.heide.com.au/ Heidelberg Melbourne Australia there is another of my favourites permanently on display there, it is a small scale bronze donkey he is hidden amoungst the greenery on the grounds of the property and is waiting for you. He was first made from carpet underlay before he was cast and is possibly the most adorable thing ever. Did I mention I have a thing for donkeys - I may well have done in a previous post.