‘in the city’ @ City Library

My first attempt at visiting the ‘in the city‘ exhibition at the City Library was while I was also visiting Craft Hatch last week. While the plinths were against the walls to allow for the stalls and foot traffic, you could actually access each to look closer. However it was disappointing that there was not a works list to be seen – given it was going to be the day when the exhibition got the most exposure, it was a shame that interested viewers could find out who the artists were. I asked staff and not one copy of the listing could be found – not very happy about that.

Second attempt: an evening after work. I wanted to see the original installation, sans stalls (I do like the majesty of lots of white space around three-dimensional objects), and to get a works list. This time there was a works list attached the each plinth – a bit late, but still good progress. Therefore, all photographs are from the second viewing.

left: Chloe Powell, earrings and necklace
middle: Soo-Jeong Jo, ‘Coin Bowl’, sterling silver
right: Ev Liong, ‘Build’ ring and ‘Stop Time’ enamel piece

Exhibition media: “We live, love, work, play, breathe and create…in the city. An exhibition of new works showcases 11 emerging contemporary jewellers of disparate backgrounds, inspired by their personal experiences and observations in and around Melbourne.”

foreground left: Colly Yi Chieh Lu, ‘untitled’ hanging installation
foreground right: Colly Yi Chieh Lu, ‘#001’ ‘#002’ ‘#003’ ‘#004’ ‘#005’; this group reminded me of Rosslynd Piggott’s ‘Collection of Air‘ [go to here and then to 1992 for images]

left: Bin Dixon-Ward ‘Carbon Credit Ring #2’, made from asphalt from Flinders Street
right: fantastic silversmithing piece by Bin Dixon-Ward, ‘A Vessel for the City‘

All artists involved (in alphabetical order): Bin Dixon-Ward, Sarah Fletcher, Allona Goren, Marcos Guzman, Courtney Jackson, Soo-Jeong Jo, Inari Kiuru, Ev Liong, Colly Yi Chieh Lu, Romy Mittelman, Chloe Powell. Some of these students were also in ‘Wondernamel‘ earlier in the year and I also showed work of two of them in a previous post (which preempted this show!). Also, see work by these artists by going to the RMIT G&S Auction site and to the ‘Artist’ page to zoom in on each one.

I would like to know more about this exhibition – when I went through my degree we only did the year-end exhibition in second year, so I’m curious if this exhibition was organised by the students themselves or with the ‘encouragement’ of teachers? If it is the former, their initiative is commendable!

“in the city” is at City Library until 28th August 2009.

Update (20th August): I didn’t really make it very clear – the work being exhibited is that of 2nd year students from RMIT. Please also be sure to read the comments on this post for more information!

Craft ‘Hatch’ @ City Library

To reflect the theme of Craft Victoria’s Craft Cubed Festival, the August ‘Hatch’ had a City|Country theme.

There were lots of lovely things, but I was particularly glad to see the graduating class of RMIT had a stall. I chatted with Fiona Simmons about the upcoming jewellery auction – the excitement of the students and the wonderful work they’ve collected so far for the auction. It’s great to see them embracing other opportunities for fundraising, with proceeds of the stall also going to the end-of-year exhibition and book. There were pieces by Charles Wyatt (foreground and mid-ground of first image below), Cath da Costa (background of first image), Naoko Inuzuka and Fiona (second image below).

photograph taken with permission

photograph taken with permission

Something about the pendants above reminded me of fairytales, familiar and cute but also sinister … little red riding hood or the fox and the crow …

My other favourite stall at the market was Chloe Vallance‘s drawing – just beautiful and evocative. Her delicate  drawings on paint colour cards were captivating – it would be easy to walk by without noticing how gorgeous these little observations are, and there were such lovely stories behind many of the sketches. Chloe is also part of the Brown Paper Collective – such a small world!

Next Hatch is 12th September 2009.

Update (14th August 2009): the lovely Kim at Craft Vic blog (clog) has posted a story on the market, with great photographs – must say I’m chuffed to be photographed and named, an action-shot of me admiring Chloe’s drawings. I’ve just noticed that it’s pretty clear I support local makers – bag by ‘emotional baggage‘, skirt by ‘mint slice afternoon‘, top by ‘sneak design‘ … spread the love I say!

Craft Hatch @ City Library

Craft Victoria describes ‘Hatch’ as: “an incubator market that showcases the work of student and emerging designers. Craft Hatch is a rare opportunity for you to purchase the freshest, hand-made products direct from the designer; including homewares, jewellery, clothing, accessories, stationery and more.”

Jewellery-related stalls I liked at the April market were:

• Amina McPhee: who was involved in the recent, delightful, ‘The Fox and the Crow‘
• Rhiannon Smith: also involved in ‘The Fox and the Crow’
• Box Hill TAFE jewellers

And I also liked the craftwork of Brittany Veitch.

Go to Clog for images of the day – it just didn’t feel right to me to take photographs in a library!

Craft Hatch is held one Saturday a month at the City Library, 253 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, 11.00am – 4.00pm. Upcoming Craft Hatch diary dates are Saturdays 9th May, 13th June and 11th July 2009.