Sculptures Of Melbourne Book Launch

2 May 2015 Comment

Mark S. Holsworth (a.k.a Black Mark - Melbourne Art & Culture Critic) launched his three-year-work-in-progress book, "Sculptures Of Melbourne" at Gallery One Three. It wads a wonderful night and the book is beautiful! Congratulations Mark it's a privilege to be a part of your journey with this book (Matto Lucas Photography & Design, +mar photographer was commissioned to produce some photos for the book including the cover image!) Gallery One Three is a wonderful space located in Somerset Place in the heart of Melbourne. It offers two gallery spaces, one upstairs and one down - both great spaces. Downstairs at the launch had an experimental music group performing as part of a residency. It's quite a romantic and exciting space, and reminds us of galleries in Sydney, quite beautiful. It was a wonderful evening to drink and mingle, laugh and chat in the alleyway lit by projections of the book at the end of the lane and flickering candlelight. We will definitely be heading back there in the future, although hopefully next time their bartender is in a better mood... From the Facebook event: "Melbourne Books to launch one of the city’s most awaited art books! Melbourne has an impressive number of sculptures on public display throughout the city. Just wander Melbourne’s city streets, gardens and laneways and you will undoubtedly find some magnificent public sculptures – from historical and religious icons to playful literary and social figures – all with rich historical weight. The book Sculptures of Melbourne explores major changes in the nature of public sculpture. When Melbourne was established, sculpture was heavily influenced by the colonial legacy of neo-classical bronze and marble statues. From 1980 onwards, public sculpture changed dramatically, not only in style but in materials, location and sheer numbers. This book, which includes controversial modernist sculptures such as ‘The Yellow Peril’ as well as unofficial laneway installations, tells the story of how the shifting trends in public sculpture moved from a classical style, to commemorative, to a corporate modernist style, to being integrated into urban design, and finally evolving into a contemporary style, which is non-traditional and temporary. Critics have unanimously hailed Melbourne’s collection of sculptures as notable narratives of place and time, which whilst stylistically different, have also established specific reference points and provided a rich reflection of the history of the city. These sculptures have come a long way from serving their decorative and utilitarian functions in the 1800s, to now embedding a strong historical beauty that is both permanent and ephemeral." If you missed the launch you can still get a copy of this incredible book and have it signed by Mark, "Sculptures Of Melbourne" will be launched on Sunday May 3 from 12noon in the Great Hall at NGV International for the Melbourne Art Book Fair.