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The new wing of the Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) was opened/launched today. This is not a review, as such, because I have not walked it thoroughly yet, nor taken in ANY of its offerings. That will have to wait until Easter, I suspect. This post is more a view of its location.
I went to see the recent Picasso exhibition at that other place, you know, the one up the road that is not in competition with this gallery, nor this with that! And I did not like the Picasso on first sight. So I had to see it three times. I suspect this building will grow on me like that as well.
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See that art-deco brown building sitting there pretending it hasn't just been gazumped? That is the original part of the MCA, to which the new wing is attached, sorta like a baby eagle in a nest, inelegantly. Certainly the George Street facade - which I have spared you - looks like an egg has been cracked on it. That art-deco building - originally housing the Maritime Services Board - was designed in the 1930s but was not completed until 1952. It replaced the convict era Commissariat which was unceremoniously demolished in 1937.
See the people up on that 4th floor outdoor area? Let's nip up there and see what THEY can see.
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9 comments:
UGLY TRAVESTY!
And so appropriately contemporary.
It's even uglier than I was expecting. Somewhere else in the city, this new design might not have looked too bad. Right here it is like a terrible scar on the face of a beautiful woman. The additions to the art deco facade in George Street are truly hideous. How long before the exposed concrete on ground level gets tagged or covered in graffiti?
Now folks, don't hold back will you!
I will hold my complete opinion until I have trawled through the inside of the building AND checked out their exhibits as well.
From what I've seen in the press I don't like the look of it but I want to get down and have a proper look around. Its completely out of sync with the old building.
it's a bit of a sore thumb in that setting. but in the right setting it would make a fine building.
Hey Julie - its appearance aside (yes, I too am reserving judgement for a while) Im just so happy its open. My weekend is looking too brilliant....
I'll be interested to see what you think, Dalloway. Not of the builing per se as they have opened far too early. There are little finishing things that look tawdry, eg the edges of the steps as one enters.
I fear that I am going to compare with AG-NSW extension. Hope I don't.
My weekend includes that brilliant photographic exhibit of indigenous portraits at the Natural History Museum on College St. So so much to see and do for the next ten days ... skates on!
Gosh you can't deny that it sticks out like a sore thumb, and to see it in the first shot with my very favorite bridge in the whole world to the side is a wee bit of a shock, BUT I'm going to wait and hear what you guys think about the exhibitions inside and see if you think it's something that could eventually get used to seeing there (I'm not holding my breath haha!)..On the plus side I did hear a while back on the news that the sky rail was coming down, you weren't keen on that were you Julie.
I think this building will continue to be controversial but it does afford a wonderful view, and will be popular for its art. It is a mixed bag.
Yes the sky/mono rail is coming down. I detested it. It will cost #15m to remove and dispose of. But I gather Hobart wants it if there is no charge!
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