Public sculpture commissioned in the memory of our dignitaries has been known to cause a stir amongst art lovers as well as those who take a position on public art.
All posts by Paul Costigan
Urban Suburban
Exhibition Review
Canberra Museum and Gallery: Urban Suburban. Until June 21.
The Canberra Museum and Gallery’s current major visual arts exhibition has the focus on artists’ views of life for the people living in this city.
Review Commonwealth Place
Review of landscape design: Commonwealth Place, Canberra
One of the local manifestations for Centenary of Federation in the year 2001 was the building of Commonwealth Place down on the side of the lake in the axis between Parliament and Mount Ainslie.
National Portrait Gallery Anzac
There’s a special exhibition at National Portrait Gallery in Canberra. This is this institution’s contribution to the Anzac centenary.
Lucky Country
It is good to be reminded that the term The Lucky Country as used by Donald Horne was not complimentary of our leadership. Sadly the term and its meaning as used back then still applies today.
The Photograph and Australia
There’s a new online review on the Art Gallery of NSW photography exhibition: The Photograph and Australia.
Photography
A Week in photography (care of Artdaily)
Kate Breakey at the Michener Art Museum
Click on images for more
Canberra Brickworks
A new Future for the Canberra Brickworks
Originally published on RiotACT.
A couple of decades ago, the Yarralumla Brickworks site was home to community markets and a colony of artists. This was the last time I visited the site.
MCA Distractions
Comment on exhibition behaviour
I enjoy the exhibitions at Sydney’s Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA). However ever since they completed their renovations and now attract more people, something has happened in how some visitors behave.
Climate Change
Reality check on Australia
While the many in the world address climate change, the present federal government in Australia continues to prop up Big Coal and anyone else who supports them. So what’s to be done about this? Continue reading Climate Change
NGA Colour My World
Exhibition Review
Colour My World, National Gallery of Australia till 30 August 2015
Here’s a recommended exhibition for those with an interest in Australian hand coloured photography from the last couple of decades.
Dickson Shops
An update on development in Canberra
Looking to the next elections for resident friendly solutions
The Dickson residents continue to be disappointed with the ACT Government for allowing so many inappropriate development proposals to be taken seriously. The latest let-down is that local politicians look as if they are allowing a supermarket and residential proposal to progress even though the evidence indicates how wrong it is for this inner suburb.
Visiting AGNSW
Visitor comment
on visiting the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
A visit to the Art Gallery of New South Wales is always worth the trouble no matter what exhibitions are on. I have often said, that this would be one of the easier jobs in the country as the audience comes no matter what the exhibition. But
Northbourne Ave
Fears for the redevelopment of Northbourne
It was well before self-government that a bureaucracy of experts delivered our inner Canberra urban landscapes. While there are many aspects of Canberra’s landscapes to be celebrated, there are questionable decisions by former planners and bureaucrats that we now have to deal with and correct.
Madness: The Photograph and Australia
a review of a very strange review
The Photograph and Australia, AGNSW till 8 June 2015
It is a good thing to read critical reviews of the visual arts. A variety of views is refreshing.
The Photograph and Australia
Review: Photography
The Photograph and Australia, AGNSW till 8 June 2015
For anyone with an interest in photography, this exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales (AGNSW) has to be seen, and then seen again.
Architecture: UTS Gehry
The Gehry Building at UTS, Sydney
Review: Dr Chau Chak Wing Building | University of Technology
Many universities in Australia have campuses with lush landscape settings. Then there are the universities that are very contained inner city urban environments. In Sydney, the University of Technology (UTS) is one of the latter.
Public Transport
photo-essay: Chicago L
The ACT Government is to implement the city’s first light rail system. Particular lobby groups have been hounding the government about this decision.
Canberra Planning
The Good and loads of the Bad and Ugly
The Property Council has issued another one of their occasional gems about planning and development here in Canberra. This one is titled: Transforming Canberra’s CBD. Sometimes you are not sure whether to laugh or cry when you read these documents.
NGA Exhibition
Colour my world: handcoloured Australian photography
National Gallery of Australia (Canberra) Exhibition open till 30 August 2015
Canberra Heritage
Braddon’s historic car yards in danger
There are reports circulating that the future of an important aspect of Braddon’s heritage is in danger of being lost.
A real Chief Minister
Foolish Urban Dreams and Aspirations
It was earlier today while sitting back on my verandah reading a book on the concept of architecture and enjoyment that this Dickson resident had the pleasant autumnal experience of drifting away into a city of complete amazements. The city’s government had just appointed a Chief Minister of extraordinary vision for urban development.
Betty Churcher
11 January 1931 – 31 March 2015
Magna Carta Place Canberra
Review: Public Art/ Monument
A review of Canberra’s Magna Carta Place public art
This is a re-posting of a review I posted to RiotACT last week.
William Barak remembered?
A strange twist to a story
Architecture owns the story. That’s not necessarily a good thing!
Loud! Photography at AGNSW
Exhibition Notice
LOUD! photographs of women by women
at the Art Gallery of NSW, 25 April – 2 July 2015 – click on the image for more
The Fourth Plinth
A city that embraces public art must a place to visit. In Canberra when Jon Stanhope was Chief Minister the city had a very active public art program.
The Photograph and Australia
Exhibition Notice
The Photograph and Australia,
at the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney, till 8 June 2015
This is a must see exhibition.
drought
Yarralumla Development
Development to alter the Yarralumla ambience
The following is a slightly longer version of a post I uploaded to RiotACT. This post concentrated on the new development sites which will replace much of the greenery around the southern edge of this part of Yarralumla. I have left comments about the redevelopment of the former brickwork’s sit for another time.
Germany: Memories of a Nation
Book & Exhibition Review
Germany: Memories of a Nation, 2014
I was somewhat aware of the complicated history of the German peoples. Over many years I had dipped into history books about various aspects of German histories. But despite this I had still not quite got my head around just how the German state as we know it today came into being.
This book by Neil MacGregor is recommended not only because it deals very well with the layers of history, but because he does this in a very accessible and enjoyable method. I cannot say the same for the exhibition.
Bendigo Art Gallery
Review – Gallery and exhibitions
A visit to the Bendigo Art Gallery
The Bendigo Art Gallery is one of the stars of Australian public art galleries. The gallery has built a great reputation through ongoing successful exhibition programs. We visited in March and were very impressed.
Taiwanese Photography
Between – Picturing 1950-1960s Taiwan
ANU Australian Centre on China in the World till 3 April 2015 
This is a highly recommended photography exhibition. It closes 3 April 2015.
Braddon – The Suburb
Comment on the urban changes within Braddon
Following a recent post on the developments happening in the Braddon commercial precinct (click here), I also posted on RiotACT on the surrounding suburb.
Jon Stanhope & ALP asylum policy
An ethical person speaks out
I met Jon Stanhope a couple of times when he was Chief Minister for the ACT. Canberra benefited from his leadership. He continues to be a person known for his strong ethical stance on important issues.
He also liked public art – but that program was killed off because of the Liberal Party trolls who used the media to hammer the program.
Planning Idiots Reign Supreme
The lack of vision in planning
Sub Titled: let’s blame everyone but those who cause the problem!
Over the last year or so a local architect has been writing in the Canberra Times on issues around planning, development and design. Unfortunately his tone has changed somewhat. Or maybe it was always so, and we have only now witnessed the true nature of his advocacy.
AGNSW: Photography and Australia
Exhibition Notice
Photography and Australia – a major survey exhibition
Art Gallery of NSW – 21 March – 2 June 2015. click on image for more
A Photograph
Michael Leunig’s Violet Town signs
The fun things you see as you drive through middle Victoria. A town sign designed by Michael Leunig. (click on image to enlarge)
photography
Through a Lens Darkly
There’s a new documentary on black photography in the USA.
Braddon Precinct
Braddon Development on the Cusp
Here are some thoughts on the redevelopment underway within the Braddon Precinct, being mainly two streets, Mort and Lonsdale Streets.
Equity and Corporate Boards
and how we still do not get it!
to quote from a Guardian article: There are more men named Peter in the chief executive and chair positions of companies in the ASX200 – Australia’s 200 largest listed companies – than there are women. click here for the article. and..
A Campaign to Put a Woman on the Twenty-Dollar Bill
click on the image for this great story – we wish them all the best!
Steve McCurry – Sharbat Gula
A sad story indeed about the woman in the famous Steve McCurry/National Geographic photograph. The original photograph was a 1984 cover for National Geographic.
Sharbat Gula, the subject of the original photograph, is in trouble because she remains a refugee from Afghanistan, but was carrying a Pakistan identify card.
Please click on the image to the right for the link to the story.
Canberra Planning
The destruction of Canberra through planning
Canberra as a planned city is a myth.
Planning sign requirement
Public Art
Canberra political public art
Canberra has a very mixed record when it comes to graffiti art in public places.
National Gallery of Victoria
Review of website NGV
I was reminded of the benefits of online information when it was mentioned on a UK program that the UK has listed all painting in public galleries on the one website. Now that is impressive. So I thought it was time to look again at how the galleries in Australia communicate through their websites.
40 Years Photography
1974… 40 YEARS / 40 PHOTOGRAPHS
A Celebration by Galerie Kicken Berlin – 40 years of exhibitions and support of photography through an exhibition of 40 photographs.
Click here to go to Gael Newton’s blog posting.
Photography
UK Bans Export of Album
The UK government has taken action to ban the export of seventy photographs by Swedish photography pioneer Oscar Gustave Rejlander.
A New Future for Canberra Planning
A posting I have uploaded to RiotACT – click here – puts the position that Canberra needs an urgent change a new approach to planning and development.
without fear or favour
This country is being so badly governed. Politicians in this government openly bully those who do not share their view. This is how Abbott’s Team Australia deals with anyone deemed not to be on side with the government’s views. Democracy itself is being trashed by senior politicians almost daily. Graeme Innes’ article says it all – please click on the image
Architectural Eyesore
Is this an eyesore for Canberra?
I was staring at the image above from the Canberra Times story about a concept that has been accepted for the new Canberra Convention Centre. I was wondering, is this something radical or is it an eyesore? Continue reading Architectural Eyesore
A photograph
The stupidity of the Rabbott Prime Minister
Be Warned – be Afraid – be Very Afraid
Crace
A first visit to the suburb of Crace
Crace is a new suburb in Canberra. Click on the image for a short photo-essay.
Dickson shops a major disappointment
Residents are having to deal with a stupid development proposal that is backed by the ACT Government for a new supermarket in Dickson.
Italian Gardens DVD
Review: Monty Don’s Italian Gardens
available on DVD
I did not get to see this program on TV so it was great to catch up with the DVD release. If you at all interested in gardens and their history, then this one is a definite for you
Of course the gardens are those made by the rich and famous/infamous – with at least one exception being an urban market garden that has so far not been consumed by urban developments around Naples.
It’s Time – Again
Change needs to happen!
Right now the leadership of this country is a total mess and remains out of touch with reality. The politicians are continuing to carry on as if nothing needs to change. Something needs to happen. The country was in a similar state of going nowhere once before.
Dickson photograph
A sign of activity by the revolutionary arm of the Dickson Residents Group
Big Money
The destruction of a nation by Big Money
click on image for the story by George Monbiot
NGA photography
Visiting the NGA collections
The National Gallery of Australia (NGA) is always worth the visit to see the collection exhibitions. Right now with a major exhibition on, the other galleries are reasonably quiet which is perfect for sitting and contemplating. If you can find a seat.
Dickson Shops
Canberra Planning is so wrong!
The thought of how the proposal for the new Dickson supermarket/apartment building was taken seriously by any professional in the ACT Government ‘s Planning Authority is totally unbelievable!
National Gallery: The Film
Notice of Film Release
National Gallery: The Film (2014) by Frederick Wisemen
This film has been released and I have read numerous positive reviews and much commentary about its making. I have noted the release as I consider going to The National Gallery in London as one of the great joys in life.
Lee Grant Photography
New Yorker on Lee Grant and Korean photography
Dickson Planning Consultation Dilemmas
Development dilemmas: part three
The future of the Dickson Precinct and beyond
This is the third of several posts on planning and development issues for Dickson in Canberra. Residential groups around the country share similar frustrations, dilemmas and challenges in dealing with planning and development bureaucracies.
National Cultural Institutions
The role for our cultural institutions
I suspect that most people have a fair idea of the individual function of our main national cultural institutions.
Dickson Parklands
Development dilemmas: part two
The future of the Dickson Parklands
This is the second of several posts on planning and development issues effecting the local residents of Dickson in Canberra. The issues are not unique to Dickson. Residential groups around the country share similar frustrations, dilemmas and challenges in dealing with planning and development bureaucracies.
Dickson Shops
Development dilemmas: part one
Residents and the future of the Dickson Shops
This is the first of several posts on planning and development issues effecting local residents. The stories and issues are not unique to Dickson in Canberra. Many residential groups around the country share similar frustrations, dilemmas and challenges in dealing with planning and development bureaucracies.
Dickson Shops
Dickson Supermarket DA consultations extended
Just before Christmas the ACT Planning Authority (ACTPLA) had uploaded for comment the Development Application for the Dickson supermarket development. The original response deadline was the 27th January.
A photograph
Photography travels
Lucky Country
Reminder of Donald Horne & The Lucky Country
click on image above
Climate Change
Corporations taking action on Climate Change
In this week’s “Time to Wake Up” speech on the Senate floor, Senator Whitehouse described how many American companies are planning for climate change. In the speech, Senator Whitehouse shares that companies with internal prices for carbon include Microsoft, Exxon-Mobil, Disney, and Google.
Dickson Flats and Canberra Planning Madness
The madness of Canberra’s planning and development
Since the 1960s there has been several rows of public housing located on the main road into Canberra. In the last year, the Dickson Flats have been listed for demolition to allow for brand new multi-unit developments. So far so good. Maybe! (pic by Paul Costigan)
Continue reading Dickson Flats and Canberra Planning Madness
Art Gallery of NSW
The future looks great for the AGNSW
Being the best state Art Gallery in Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales looks to become even better.
I always enjoy a visit to this gallery. It doesn’t matter what special exhibitions are on. There is plenty to see and to engage with.
Media Corruption
Another view on corruption in the media
I have mentioned many times in previous posts just how sad it has become in this country in that our media has largely been corrupted. This has come about after years of attacks and more recently by careful placements of the ‘right’ people to board positions to influence the debates within the media, particularly our ABC.
Climate Change
Optimism about action on Climate Change
There are movements around the world that indicate that actions are indeed being taken to challenge Big Coal and Big Oil. From a national government point of view, there is simply spin and pandering to the Big Corporates. Here’s an article by George Monbiot that makes it clear how evil governments can be. click here.
Dickson Shops
The debate on Dickson Shops
and how the government is squandering significant urban design opportunities
The debate continues on this significant lost opportunity to deliver good urban design in Dickson. Click on image above for a posting on RiotACT.
A Photograph
Photography of tourist behaviour
Walking through a side street in central Vienna late last year, we came across a group of people totally captured by something out of our view.
Gender Equity 2015
Comment on gender equity in 2015
No country in the world can yet say they have achieved gender equality. The UN has invited men to sign up to assist with achieving gender equity.
Team Australia in 2015
Political outlook for Australia
This is going to be a tough year to get through. Australia has one of the meanest and morally corrupt governments imaginable. In fact it is not a government of the people, but a set of opportunist politicians with strings being pulled by many corporate interests including that foreigner, Rupert Murdoch.
It’s A Man’s World – still
click on the image for the story
Chinese Whispers
Visual Arts Review
Chinese Whispers at the Goulburn Regional Art Gallery
till end of January 2015
This exhibition is a good one. It is an inspired concept that has led to the engagement of a host of talented visual artists.
Dickson Shops
Planning and Development of the Dickson Shops
A bad case study in community engagement
It was just days before Christmas (2014) when local residents may have noticed that a development application with big ramifications for their precinct was now available online for comment – with a month in which to submit any comments.
Mr Turner
Film Review
Mr Turner – Hayden Orpheum Picture Palace, Cremorne, Sydney
If you enjoy beautifully made films that are a detailed character study, then see Mr Turner.
Terrorism
Journalism, Nut Jobs and Terrorists
When it comes to most main stream media outlets, I have no positive expectations that they will be able to report on events with any credibility. The best one can do is to note the event and if you require relevant background information, then you need to search around and possibly wait a day or two for some of the real journalism to offer opinions and their take on events.
Climate Change
Barangaroo in 2015
Barangaroo Point to open in March 2015
This is good news. Sydney is to have a new harbourside parkland that is due to be opened in March this year. The background to this is a wonderful story worthy of a screen play.
Bungaree
Visual Arts Review
Bungaree, The First Australian at The Mosman Art Gallery
Open till 22 February 2015.
We travelled along to the Mosman Art Gallery around lunch time one sunny day in early January. The gallery was quiet with no other visitors during our 45 minute visit.
The Bungaree exhibition at the gallery contains works by 16 emerging and established artists who have nominally re-interpreted the stories around Bungaree. The image to the right is of Bungaree. There are numerous historic paintings of Bungaree.
The Dishonesty of Stop The Boats
Reality Check on the lie of ‘Stop The Boats’
There’s an article from The Guardian that says it all. It is a very good reality check on the spin and lies coming out of our major political parties at the moment. Neither have been honest with the reality of the situation for refugees and both are still caught in dealing with slogans.
SFMOMA Photography out and about
Photography is alive and well in San Francisco
I noticed this report on how the San Francisco photography collection is on the move during renovations. It is always good to see such simple logic at work. Full marks to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA)
Team Australia Strikes at Democracy
The nastiness of Abbott’s and Morrison’s Team Australia
When the Australian Government’s spokesperson, Tony Abbott announced in August, that we all had to be part of Team Australia, we all knew what it meant. From his perspective, you were either with ‘us’, or you are against ‘us’. This government is about inequity and being plain nasty to anyone it deems not to be part of their agenda – Team Australia.
Climate Change
Optimism for 2015 climate change actions
Australians have had to endure a load of stupidity thanks to current Australian national government. The worst insult to intelligence has been the constant dumb statements on climate change by their spokesperson, Tony Rabbott.
Clouds again
Dreams and Imagination, MGA photography
Review: Photography Exhibition Catalogue
Dreams and Imagination: Light in the Modern City, Monash Gallery of Art , until 1st March 2015.
I have just read a copy of a wonderful catalogue of a significant photographic exhibition at the Monash Gallery of Art (MGA). Yet again the MGA lives up to their reputation as ‘The Home of Australian Photography‘.
Chances are that I will not get to Melbourne to see this exhibition. However, the catalogue is a real gem and should be sought after by anyone interested in the development of Australian photography during the early 20th Century. (click on the images to enlarge)
Capital in the Twenty-First Century
Book Notice
Capital in the Twenty-First Century, Thomas Piketty
There’s a good review of this book online that points to the book being a good read. This theme of the effect of the growing inequity on economics and the basis of capitalism is now commonly talked about. click here
Mr Turner
Film Recommendation
Mr Turner – a film by Mike Leigh, 2014
I am looking forward to see Mike Leigh’s film, Mr Turner
Women and Carbon Tax
The Abbott as Minister not for Woman
As 2014 draws to an end, the Credlin Government spokesperson, Tony Abbott, went on TV to talk positive about the changes to the Ministerial portfolios just announced. It was supposed to be an opportunity to finish the year with a positive after being such a crap government all through 2014.
But he blew it. Again! Boss Credlin will be very unhappy. Again!
A reviewer has a bad day
Guardian reviewer looses the plot
It is not the job a reviewer to write stuff that everyone agrees with. The Guardian has a number of art reviewers and therefore we have a range of opinions. However one would expect any of these reviewers to be making sense.
It has come to pass that one reviewer has been showing signs of stress or something equivalent.
It’s About Design
MIT and new logos
It is usual for any organisation to want to change their branding, their logo and of course, their website.
Architectural Spin
A Review of architectural reviewers
I may have told this story before. Several years ago I was approached by a senior practitioner who wanted to talk about an article in a much-lauded architectural publication.
Hockey meanness
The meanness of Joe Hockey
and his continued destruction of Australia’s way of life
If there was anyone left in Australia, who for one minute thought that the current Australian Federal Treasurer was anything but a mean and nasty politician, then all they had to do was observe his latest crimes. This man looks after his rich mates especially Big Coal, Banks and Big Miners; looks after this who pull his strings and keep him in power, Murdoch and their cohorts; and does all this by stripping back opportunities for health and well-being from those most disadvantaged.
A Photograph
Photography: What are they doing in there?
It was while visiting Singapore recently, that a local friend took us to dinner in a well-known food alley. I was here that I noticed the light coming from the window above us. I had to take a photo. (click on photo to enlarge)