Of Love & War

Uploaded to Flickr Commons on November 12, 2009by Australian War Memorial collection

As we have a wartime exhibition idea on the books I thought you might be interested to know that there are a number of new exhibitions about on this topic. They are not performing arts related of course but they do examine the social impact of war. The first is Of Love and War at the Australian War Memorial. The exhibition features photographs, artworks, letters and keepsakes and looks at the impact of war on relationships and 'the ways in which Australians incorporated affairs of the heart into their wartime lives'. If you can't make it to Canberra it is worth checking out the photostream on Flickr Commons.

Closer to home you might like to see Over-Paid, Over-Sexed & Over-Here? at City Gallery in the Melbourne Town Hall (this link takes you to the associated website). This exhibition explores the myths surrounding the American marines stationed in Melbourne during 1943 and has been curated by Kate Darian Smith of Melbourne University who worked with us on the Andrea Lemon Circus Project.

The last one is in the Western Visitors Centre at the Shrine of Remembrance. Threads of Connection looks at the orginality and creativity behind the many embroidered textiles created both on the homefront and on the frontline from World War I to today.

Enjoy!

Did You Know?

Claude the Crow, Performing Arts Collection, the Arts Centre. Gift of Richard Bence, 1997

Did you know that before his work was exhibited by the NGV or by Charles Saatchi in the 'Sensation' show, Ron Mueck was the voice of Shirl's Neighbourhood's Claude the Crow?

Mueck not only provided Claude's voice (and personality) but modelled all the puppets including Greenfinger the Garden Gnome whose face is based on producer Richard Bence who visited the Research Service this week. Greenfinger's voice was provided by Julian's step-father Christie Cooney who was also a member of the folk band, The Cobbers. Talk about seven degrees of separation!

Caz