Rosy outlook: pink-hued exhibit reshapes building
Spanish collective Penique Productions are behind MATRIA, an installation that invites visitors into a surreal, womb-like environment at Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building.
The installation opens on Thursday and is one of the 140 free and ticketed events as part of the citywide Now or Never festival.
Artist Sergi Arbusa is excited for people to experience his installation, which uses monochromatic recycled pink inflatable plastic to reshape the building.
Running over four days, the space will hold a series of events, including morning breath work sessions and a night-time performance program.
"It's an invitation to have an artistic experience," Mr Arbusa told reporters.
"This is an open work, you can feel something."
From kinetic light and sound installations to large-scale live music performances, the Now or Never festival explores arts, sound and technology.
More than 400,000 people were expected to attend the festival, generating close to $15 million for the city.
"It cements our place as Australia's arts capital," Lord Mayor Nick Reece told reporters.
Mr Reece said the festival line-up brought together visionary thinkers to spark ideas and offer a glimpse into the future.
"There'll be light displays, installation art, incredible electronic music performances, and amazing artworks on display," he said.
More than 285 local and international artists will take part in the festival, including 30 works making their Melbourne debut.
Melbourne Town Hall will be transformed into a large-scale music venue as part of the program.
Melbourne's Evan Walker Bridge will also be immersed in a sonic installation, while the State Library will play host to a large-scale facade projection.
Now or Never runs from August 21 to 31.
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The Age
a day ago
- The Age
Like being inside your mother's womb: Melbourne's new choose-your-own-adventure artwork
Melbourne's Now or Never festival kicks off on Thursday for its third year. Described (somewhat ambiguously) as a 'festival of new dimensions', it's set to bring a range of art displays and performances to the city. One such endeavour is a giant pink inflatable installation which will occupy part of the interior of the heritage-listed Royal Exhibition Building in Carlton until Sunday. For any past and present University of Melbourne students visiting – more accustomed to the venue as an exam hall – surely, a massive colourful balloon is a more welcoming sight. A lot less stressful than a biology test, we're sure. The Barcelona-based artist, Sergi Arbusa, was delighted to be bringing the MATRIA exhibit to hallowed halls of the building. 'Our practice is making inflatables in relation to architecture,' he said. 'The space ends up becoming the art object – we present an experience that people can make their own.' The artist cited Christo and Jeanne-Claude as his main sources of inspiration. While we're not sure that Carlton Gardens compares with the Champs-Élysées, we're happy to be in the conversation. Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece, speaking at the launch on Wednesday, was especially excited about the event. 'I've seen a lot of art in my time,' he explained of the inflatable. 'And I have never seen anything like this.' Reece said that the event was the perfect way to bring the city alive in winter. 'It may be frosty in the mornings. But our hearts and souls are burning bright,' he said. The man loves an adage – what can we say?
The Advertiser
a day ago
- The Advertiser
Rosy outlook: pink-hued exhibit reshapes building
An immersive inflatable, pink-hued sanctuary has transformed a historic city building into a living canvas, serving as a centrepiece of an arts festival. Spanish collective Penique Productions are behind MATRIA, an installation that invites visitors into a surreal, womb-like environment at Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building. The installation opens on Thursday and is one of the 140 free and ticketed events as part of the citywide Now or Never festival. Artist Sergi Arbusa is excited for people to experience his installation, which uses monochromatic recycled pink inflatable plastic to reshape the building. Running over four days, the space will hold a series of events, including morning breath work sessions and a night-time performance program. "It's an invitation to have an artistic experience," Mr Arbusa told reporters. "This is an open work, you can feel something." From kinetic light and sound installations to large-scale live music performances, the Now or Never festival explores arts, sound and technology. More than 400,000 people were expected to attend the festival, generating close to $15 million for the city. "It cements our place as Australia's arts capital," Lord Mayor Nick Reece told reporters. Mr Reece said the festival line-up brought together visionary thinkers to spark ideas and offer a glimpse into the future. "There'll be light displays, installation art, incredible electronic music performances, and amazing artworks on display," he said. More than 285 local and international artists will take part in the festival, including 30 works making their Melbourne debut. Melbourne Town Hall will be transformed into a large-scale music venue as part of the program. Melbourne's Evan Walker Bridge will also be immersed in a sonic installation, while the State Library will play host to a large-scale facade projection. Now or Never runs from August 21 to 31. An immersive inflatable, pink-hued sanctuary has transformed a historic city building into a living canvas, serving as a centrepiece of an arts festival. Spanish collective Penique Productions are behind MATRIA, an installation that invites visitors into a surreal, womb-like environment at Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building. The installation opens on Thursday and is one of the 140 free and ticketed events as part of the citywide Now or Never festival. Artist Sergi Arbusa is excited for people to experience his installation, which uses monochromatic recycled pink inflatable plastic to reshape the building. Running over four days, the space will hold a series of events, including morning breath work sessions and a night-time performance program. "It's an invitation to have an artistic experience," Mr Arbusa told reporters. "This is an open work, you can feel something." From kinetic light and sound installations to large-scale live music performances, the Now or Never festival explores arts, sound and technology. More than 400,000 people were expected to attend the festival, generating close to $15 million for the city. "It cements our place as Australia's arts capital," Lord Mayor Nick Reece told reporters. Mr Reece said the festival line-up brought together visionary thinkers to spark ideas and offer a glimpse into the future. "There'll be light displays, installation art, incredible electronic music performances, and amazing artworks on display," he said. More than 285 local and international artists will take part in the festival, including 30 works making their Melbourne debut. Melbourne Town Hall will be transformed into a large-scale music venue as part of the program. Melbourne's Evan Walker Bridge will also be immersed in a sonic installation, while the State Library will play host to a large-scale facade projection. Now or Never runs from August 21 to 31. An immersive inflatable, pink-hued sanctuary has transformed a historic city building into a living canvas, serving as a centrepiece of an arts festival. Spanish collective Penique Productions are behind MATRIA, an installation that invites visitors into a surreal, womb-like environment at Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building. The installation opens on Thursday and is one of the 140 free and ticketed events as part of the citywide Now or Never festival. Artist Sergi Arbusa is excited for people to experience his installation, which uses monochromatic recycled pink inflatable plastic to reshape the building. Running over four days, the space will hold a series of events, including morning breath work sessions and a night-time performance program. "It's an invitation to have an artistic experience," Mr Arbusa told reporters. "This is an open work, you can feel something." From kinetic light and sound installations to large-scale live music performances, the Now or Never festival explores arts, sound and technology. More than 400,000 people were expected to attend the festival, generating close to $15 million for the city. "It cements our place as Australia's arts capital," Lord Mayor Nick Reece told reporters. Mr Reece said the festival line-up brought together visionary thinkers to spark ideas and offer a glimpse into the future. "There'll be light displays, installation art, incredible electronic music performances, and amazing artworks on display," he said. More than 285 local and international artists will take part in the festival, including 30 works making their Melbourne debut. Melbourne Town Hall will be transformed into a large-scale music venue as part of the program. Melbourne's Evan Walker Bridge will also be immersed in a sonic installation, while the State Library will play host to a large-scale facade projection. Now or Never runs from August 21 to 31. An immersive inflatable, pink-hued sanctuary has transformed a historic city building into a living canvas, serving as a centrepiece of an arts festival. Spanish collective Penique Productions are behind MATRIA, an installation that invites visitors into a surreal, womb-like environment at Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building. The installation opens on Thursday and is one of the 140 free and ticketed events as part of the citywide Now or Never festival. Artist Sergi Arbusa is excited for people to experience his installation, which uses monochromatic recycled pink inflatable plastic to reshape the building. Running over four days, the space will hold a series of events, including morning breath work sessions and a night-time performance program. "It's an invitation to have an artistic experience," Mr Arbusa told reporters. "This is an open work, you can feel something." From kinetic light and sound installations to large-scale live music performances, the Now or Never festival explores arts, sound and technology. More than 400,000 people were expected to attend the festival, generating close to $15 million for the city. "It cements our place as Australia's arts capital," Lord Mayor Nick Reece told reporters. Mr Reece said the festival line-up brought together visionary thinkers to spark ideas and offer a glimpse into the future. "There'll be light displays, installation art, incredible electronic music performances, and amazing artworks on display," he said. More than 285 local and international artists will take part in the festival, including 30 works making their Melbourne debut. Melbourne Town Hall will be transformed into a large-scale music venue as part of the program. Melbourne's Evan Walker Bridge will also be immersed in a sonic installation, while the State Library will play host to a large-scale facade projection. Now or Never runs from August 21 to 31.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Perth Now
Rosy outlook: pink-hued exhibit reshapes building
An immersive inflatable, pink-hued sanctuary has transformed a historic city building into a living canvas, serving as a centrepiece of an arts festival. Spanish collective Penique Productions are behind MATRIA, an installation that invites visitors into a surreal, womb-like environment at Melbourne's Royal Exhibition Building. The installation opens on Thursday and is one of the 140 free and ticketed events as part of the citywide Now or Never festival. Artist Sergi Arbusa is excited for people to experience his installation, which uses monochromatic recycled pink inflatable plastic to reshape the building. Running over four days, the space will hold a series of events, including morning breath work sessions and a night-time performance program. "It's an invitation to have an artistic experience," Mr Arbusa told reporters. "This is an open work, you can feel something." From kinetic light and sound installations to large-scale live music performances, the Now or Never festival explores arts, sound and technology. More than 400,000 people were expected to attend the festival, generating close to $15 million for the city. "It cements our place as Australia's arts capital," Lord Mayor Nick Reece told reporters. Mr Reece said the festival line-up brought together visionary thinkers to spark ideas and offer a glimpse into the future. "There'll be light displays, installation art, incredible electronic music performances, and amazing artworks on display," he said. More than 285 local and international artists will take part in the festival, including 30 works making their Melbourne debut. Melbourne Town Hall will be transformed into a large-scale music venue as part of the program. Melbourne's Evan Walker Bridge will also be immersed in a sonic installation, while the State Library will play host to a large-scale facade projection. Now or Never runs from August 21 to 31.
