January 2007 - Exhibitions & Events

Exhibitions

Heroes & Villains: Australian comics and their creators

This free exhibition showcases the colourful history of Australian comics from the 1940s to today. With a display of rare comic books, original artwork and memorabilia, it celebrates the characters that have entertained generations of Australians, from Captain Atom to Fatty Finn.
Time: 10am-5pm daily
Venue: Keith Murdoch Gallery
Free

The changing face of Victoria

This fascinating exhibition highlights the people, places and events that have shaped life in Victoria over 200 years. Revisit Victoria's early years, view Ned Kelly’s original armour, and see new displays including Nellie Melba, Edna Everage, the 1956 Olympics and Melbourne subcultures.
Time: 10am-5pm daily
Venue: Dome Galleries, Level 5
Free

Mirror of the World: books and ideas

This magnificent exhibition showcases rare, beautiful and historically significant books from the Library’s collections, and explores the history of book production and illustration. See treasures such as the rare Second Folio of Shakespeare, classic children’s books and 1950s pulp crime fiction. Now featuring 200 new display items!
Time: 10am-5pm daily
Venue: Dome Galleries, Level 4
Free

The Cowen Gallery

The elegant Cowen Gallery features a display of 150 works of art from the Library’s Pictures Collection. The works illustrate Victoria’s landscape, early Melbourne scenes and the European exploration and settlement of Australia.
Time: Daily during Library hours
Venue: Cowen Gallery
Free

ElicitSHOW Design Interaction

Tim Devine is currently Artist in Residence at the State Library of Victoria. The ElictSHOW is an exhibition of his works from the past year of this residency. In Elicit you can interact with others in virtual space, manipulate TV content in real time, create a montage with your personal mobile phone and draw your own surround soundscape.
Time: 11 January-10 March 2007, during Library hours
Venue: Experimedia
Free

Tours & Activities

Dome Galleries Tour

The Library's free, one-hour guided tour of the famous domed La Trobe Reading Room and the Dome Galleries will not take place in January. It will resume on 1 February.

The Victoria Tour

From the iconic Kelly armour to Dame Edna, find out what makes us Victorian. Join a guided walk through The changing face of Victoria exhibition, revisiting the people and events that have shaped life in Victoria in the past 200 years. Includes an introduction to 'Reading Victoria: 20 novels set close to home' - the Library's summer reading program focused around books set in Victoria.
Time: Tues & Thurs, 2-3pm (9-25 January)
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not necessary
Free

Heroes & Villains: Exhibition Tour

Enjoy a half-hour guided tour of the new exhibition Heroes & Villains: Australian comics and their creators. (A free self-guided audio tour is also available.)
Time: Tues & Thurs 1.15pm, Sun 2.30pm (from 9 January)
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Only necessary for groups (03 8664 7279)
Free

Reading Victoria: 20 Novels Set Close to Home

Discover books that take you on a Victorian journey in the Library's new summer reading program. The Library has recommended 20 contemporary and classic novels set in Victoria. Read, discuss, enjoy - and vote for your favourite book! Visit the Reading Victoria website from 7 December to contribute opinions, learn about events at public libraries across the state and find out how to cast your vote.
Time: 7 December-22 February

I Need a Hero! Online Competition

We need a hero - so upload your own superhero images to this online competition. Acclaimed illustrator Doug Holgate (Laika, Flight) will comment on entries, choose the winners, and create the 'ultimate superhero' by combining the best features of selected entries. Prizes include $50 gift vouchers from Minotaur Books. To learn more and submit an entry, visit I Need a Hero! from 4 December.
Time: 4 December-4 February
Free

Zap! Pow! Blog!

Meet leading Australian comic creators online in a unique three-day blog event. Guest bloggers include Trudy Cooper (Platinum Grit), Mandy Ord (Nosebleed), Tad Pietrzykowski (Dark Nebula) and Dillon Naylor (Batrisha, Da & Dill). Learn about their fabulous creations, their favourite comic heroes, and what inspires them. To join in, go to the Heroes & Villains exhibition page and follow the links to Zap! Pow! Blog!
Time: Fri 12-Sun 14 January, 12 noon-7.30pm

Text Appeal: Literary Dating!

Looking for love this summer? Bring a favourite book to the Library, and try a new angle on dating. A book you love or loathe will get the story started. Austen meets Kerouac, Rushdie falls for Zadie and JK Rowling can probably take her pick... Who will you find?
Time: Wed 17 and Wed 31 January, 7-9.30pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $20 per session (three for the price of two, drinks and entertainment included)

Comics as Collectables

A free workshop for comic collectors, with Heroes & Villains exhibition curator Kevin Patrick, bookseller Mick Stone and librarian David Studham. Learn how to build and care for your collection. Informal valuations of comics also available.
Time: Sat 20 January, 2-4.30pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: Not required
Free

The Comics Lounge

Relax in the Comics Lounge and sample a range of current Australian comics and graphic novels, Australian comic-inspired games, animations and more.
Time: Daily during Library hours
Venue: Experimedia
Free

Summer Fun for Kids

Draw Your Own Hero! (for ages 7-12)

In these dynamic comic-making workshops children will be guided by a professional comic-book artist to create their own superhero comic strip. They will upload an image of their hero to the 'I Need a Hero' online competition and receive a copy of their comic and digital images of their work to take home on CD.
Time: Tues 23-Fri 26 & Mon 29 January, 10-3.30pm
Venue: Experimedia
Cost: $40 per child per day
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au

Drawing for Fun (for ages 7-12)

In this fun drawing workshop with a professional children's book illustrator, children will be encouraged to explore their own thoughts and ideas with pencil in hand. (Materials supplied.)
Time: Tues 23 & Thurs 25 January, 10.30am-12 noon
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $12

Extreme Cartooning (for ages 7-12)

In this exciting drawing workshop with a professional children’s book illustrator, children will experiment with drawing comic and cartoon characters. (Materials supplied.)
Time: Tues 23 & Thurs 25 January, 1-3pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $15