​​ SRA 143 NGV INTERNATIONAL / MELBOURNE SELF GUIDED FIELD TRIP: INTRODUCTION Each culture reveals distinctly different religious beliefs and practices which have influenced the great variety of artistic and architectural forms that we have studied thus far. This visit to the NGV (International) and Melbourne will help you analyse and compare examples of art, artefacts and architecture to reveal some of the ways that belief systems contribute to the structure and expression of ancient cultures and more recent cultures. Some of the cultures have already been examined in our first weeks together, others will be the subject of future explorations and discussions. PREPARATION: REVISION AND READING: USE YOUR CLASS AND SEMINAR NOTES, YOUR SEMINAR GUIDE, RELEVANT MATERIAL IN YOUR SET TEXTS (GARDNER AND ROTH) AND STUDY GUIDE ON CLOUDDEAKIN TAKE A SKETCH BOOK (WITH PLAIN UNLINED PAPER) AND PENCILS WITH YOU NO BIROS OR PENS PERMITTED WORK IN SMALL GROUPS WHEREVER POSSIBLE (2-5) THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF VICTORIA (INTERNATIONAL) IS LOCATED ON ST KILDA ROAD, MELBOURNE. IT IS A SHORT WALK (OR TRAM RIDE) FROM FLINDERS STREET STATION, OVER PRINCES BRIDGE, NEXT OT THE CONCERT HALL AND ARTS CENTRE. WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE NGV PICK UP AN NGV GUIDE BOOK AND LOCATE THE FLOOR PLANS While a few specific works have been identified for you to study, we hope you enjoy your visit to the NGV and Melbourne more generally, and that you will immerse yourself for a little while in another culture, another time and another place. Four worksheets have been prepared for you. You are to undertake all tasks. Use DRAWING wherever possible to explore the exhibits available to you. We do not expect a lot of writing, but rather some reflections on what you have experienced, discovered; what has challenged you or delighted you. This field trip work constitutes your week 6 journal response and will form that part of your journal submission. SRA 143 NGV INTERNATIONAL / MELBOURNE SELF GUIDED FIELD TRIP: WORK SHEET 1: The Ancient World A. 1.1 Egypt and Death Choose one object from the display to explain Egyptian attitude to death – how does it differ from yours? A. 1.2 Choose one example of relief carving and hieroglyphs. Draw a detail, noting the conventions of representing a human person. B. Greek vases and painting – a number of vases are available to you for study B.1.3 Choose ONE of the vases for close study. Attic Black figure vase painting/ Attic red figure ware What strikes you about these vessels, consider function, shape, size? What is depicted? How is it depicted? What is the difference between the Attic red and black figure painting techniques? What is the relationship between the vessel and the painting? How successful is it? What aspect works best for you? Consider decoration and narrative. C. Greece and Rome C.1.4 Torso of Athlete Hellenistic/Roman period, 1stC BC – 1st C AD Athletic male body, Roman copy of Poykleitos, style 5th C BC and much copied Consider this torso in the context of our study of the development of the male nude: what is the pose? Why do you think it was copied? What did the Romans admire in the Greek work? Consider this as a marble sculpture – use five words that best describe its qualities for you How does this sculpture speak to you or engage you in the 21st century? COMPARISON: KHMER, male deity 11th -12th C Cambodia, located in the Asian Gallery What is the subject of this sculpture? Note and explain the differences in representation of the male figure. D Rome D.1.5 Head of Septimius Severus, Roman period, AD 193-211, marble D.1.6 head of Vespasian, Roman period AD 50-80, marble These are portrait heads – what do they reveal about the person? Choose three words to describe their character (You might also like to compare the Head Covering of Padihorpasherset (Egyptian,1- 2C AD) and the Behnessa, Bust of a woman, late 3rd – early 4th C AD). SRA 143 NGV INTERNATIONAL / MELBOURNE SELF GUIDED FIELD TRIP: WORK SHEET 2 Medieval and Renaissance period: European Galleries A small selection of exquisite works are here for your study and enjoyment. Take time to look, appreciate, compare mediums, styles and content. Think about what you prefer and why. MEDIEVAL 2.1 Reliquary casket, France Limoges, c. 1200, enamel What is this object? Why was it so beautifully crafted? DRAW a detail 2.2. Stained glass, France, rondel, 13th century Name the qualities of the material that engage you? How is colour used? In your DRAWING consider: armature, pattern, figures How is the story told? 2.3. Stained glass, England panel, 14th century Name the qualities of the material that engage you? How is this piece different to 2.2 above? In your DRAWING consider: armature, pattern, figures What are the differences in treatment of the lead, the painting and the decorative scheme? RENAISSANCE 2.4 Agnolo Gaddi, Madonna and Child with St John the Evangelist, St John the Baptist, St James of Compostela and St Nicholas of Bari, 1388-90; altarpiece; tempera and gold on wood panel What is an altarpiece? How was it used? How would you describe this Early Renaissance piece. DRAW a detail or DRAW the composition of the group. 2.5 Spain, Sculpture, Virgin Enthroned with the Infant Christ, early 16thC How are eastern and western traditions combined here? Do you see Islamic influences in the patterns of the throne? HOW do the representations of the Madonna and Child differ in 2.4 and 2.5? 2.6 Giovanni TOSCANI The adoration of the Magi c1420-1430 Enjoy this exquisite little work. What has Toscani learned from Giotto? Look at the drapery, the weight of the bodies; the gestures; the facial expressions. How are eastern and western traditions combined here? 2.7 The Derision of Christ, 15thC France, polychrome wood Consider the representation of the person of Christ: the figure central to understanding early Christians and Christianity through the medieval and Renaissance periods to the present. How does this figure speak to you today? SRA 143 NGV INTERNATIONAL / MELBOURNE SELF GUIDED FIELD TRIP: WORK SHEET 3 Exhibition Reviews: China, Japan and South-east Asia Choose 3.1, 3.2 OR 3.3 below 3.1 The Art of China – NGV permanent exhibition A small selection of exquisite works are here for your study and enjoyment. 3.1.1 Your task is first to REVIEW this exhibition. Consider the scope and aim of the exhibition. There are some extraordinary objects and works in this exhibition. How do they help inform our understanding of culture in another time and place? 3.1.2 Second, choose one period for study. Draw an object and explain how it represents your chosen period. Consider craft, skill, design, symbolism, function … as relevant. OR select two works that reflect aspects of nature (a detail and a broader scope). Compare these through drawing – what do you learn from each? OR select one work that inspires you, draw it, reflect on it and create a short poem 3.2 The Art of Japan - NGV permanent exhibition A small selection of exquisite works are here for your study and enjoyment. 3.2.1 Your task is first to REVIEW this exhibition. Consider the scope and aim of the exhibition. There are some extraordinary objects and works in this exhibition. How do they help inform our understanding of culture in another time and place? 3.2.2 Second, choose one period for study. Draw an object and explain how it represents your chosen period. Consider craft, skill, design, symbolism, function … as relevant. OR select two works that reflect aspects of nature (a detail and a broader scope). Compare these through drawing – what do you learn from each? OR select one work that inspires you, draw it, reflect on it and create a short poem 3.3 The Art of South –East Asia: NGV permanent exhibition A small selection of exquisite works are here for your study and enjoyment. 3.3.1 Your task is first to REVIEW this exhibition. Consider the scope and aim of the exhibition. There are some extraordinary objects and works in this exhibition. How do they help inform our understanding of culture in another time and place? 3.3.2 Second, choose one period for study. Draw an object and explain how it represents your chosen period. Consider craft, skill, design, symbolism, function … as relevant. OR select two works that reflect aspects of nature (a detail and a broader scope). Compare these through drawing – what do you learn from each? OR select one work that inspires you, draw it, reflect on it and create a short poem SRA 143 NGV INTERNATIONAL / MELBOURNE SELF GUIDED FIELD TRIP: WORK SHEET 4: the Classical and Gothic languages of architecture: the former General Post Office (GPO) and St Patrick's Cathedral Melbourne These two 19thcentury buildings will introduce you to the Gothic and Classical languages of architecture, as interpreted in the 19th century. These are both very fine buildings, St Patrick's considered the greatest of the early Gothic Revival cathedrals in Australia; and the GPO a refined Public Works Department building in the classical style, remarkable for its integrated composition using the three orders of architecture. SOME BACKGROUND: Melbourne was the finest 19thC city in the world! William Wardell's early Victorian Gothic Cathedral generally follows AWN Pugin's ideals of honesty in construction and truth to materials; stone is the preferred material; expression of plan in elevation is evident; compartmentalisation of parts and adherence to precedents, English and French, is clear; observance of ritual in liturgy; it is a "village" church, that is you can walk around it completely. Smith and Johnston's GPO building demonstrates the role of architecture in the development of a provincial Victorian city: Melbourne from goldrush to Federation, when architecture was regarded as performing an important civilising role. Note the importance of understanding the language and symbolism of architecture. *********************************************************************************************************** ST PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL East Melbourne MELWAYS 1B R7 William Wardell St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral, Melbourne, 1858 - 1897 Consider the Gothic style – where do you see the pointed arch? DRAW one in detail. Describe the exterior in five words (note the stonework: bluestone, freestone or sandstone; the sculpture and decoration). Note scale (St Patrick's is about the same size as Chartres Cathedral in France); while it has vaulted aisles, it has an English-style timber hammerbeam roof over the nave. TASK: SKETCH and label the plan, noting the ambulatory and chevet (apsidal) chapels of the east end (you might like to buy the guide to the Cathedral by Ursula de Jong at the cathedral shop!). DESCRIBE your experience of the interior in eight words. THE (former) GENERAL POST OFFICE corner Bourke and Elizabeth Streets, Melbourne Smith and Johnston General Post Office (GPO) 1859-1890 Recall the Colosseum, from the lecture on Rome. Smith and Johnston adapt the model of the Roman Colosseum for their design of the General Post Office (GPO). HOW? Identify the three orders of the classical style: the Doric, the Ionic and the Corinthian. Take the time to DRAW the elevation of one vertical bay of the GPO. To what effect have Smith and Johnston used these classical elements in their design? Walk through the arcade to get a sense of its qualities in 3D. How does the building turn the corner? Finally, try and describe in your own words the differences in the language of architecture used at St Patrick's and the GPO.