October 2007 - Exhibitions & Events
Exhibitions
Famous: Karin Catt portraits
This free exhibition presents striking celebrity portraits by high-profile Australian photographer Karin Catt. These iconic images of famous faces, from hip-hop artist Eminem to Mikhail Gorbachev, evoke the world of popular culture seen in the pages of Vogue and Rolling Stone. (A National Portrait Gallery touring exhibition.)
Time: 13 July–11 November, 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 discover Melbourne stories and personalities.
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. See treasures such as Audubon’s magnificent Birds of America, classic children’s books and 1950s pulp crime fiction.
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
Exhibition-related Events & Activities
The following events and activities complement the exhibition Famous: Karin Catt portraits (see Exhibitions).
Exhibition Snapshot Tour
Join a free half-hour guided tour to zoom in on a selection of Karin Catt’s signature images and hear some of the stories behind her striking photographic portraits.
Time: Wed 17 October, 6–6.30pm
Venue: Keith Murdoch Gallery
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
Exposed! Celebrity photographers
Come and hear professional photographers reveal the secrets of their success. Meet photographers who’ve made their names snapping celebrities, from fashion identities to rock stars. Find out about the pluses and perils of this competitive business, and how the upcoming photographer can get started.
Time: Wed 17 October, 6.30–8.30pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
Famous: Dress to impress!
Seen the exhibition and think you can look better? Create your own celebrity portrait! Choose a costume, select a backdrop, then pose for our celebrity photographer and take your portrait home to impress everyone.
Time: 10am–5pm daily
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: Not required
Free
Fabulous & Famous: Digital photo competition
Want to be a celebrity photographer? Enter this competition to win great prizes in the Years 7–8 and Years 9–10 categories, including digital cameras and iPod Shuffles. Your mission is to snap digital images of fabulous and famous people – or (if Paris Hilton is busy) get your friends to pose as celebrities!
Entries due: By 21 October
Information: Go to the competition page or phone 03 8664 7555
Free
Get Into Art!
On Sunday 28 October, discover the State Library's art collection and galleries at Get Into Art!, a day of special activities at Melbourne's public arts venues.
Free children's activity: Become a Library detective!
Follow the clues to answer 20 questions about the Library's art collections, and win great prizes. (10am–5pm; meet in front foyer; bookings not required)
Free talk: Perils of the Studio
Alex Taylor, author of Perils of the Studio, discusses the bohemian art world of Melbourne in the 1880s to 1940s, including Grosvenor Chambers, which housed the studios of Tom Roberts, Arthur Streeton and others. (11–11.45am; Cowen Gallery; bookings 03 8664 7016)
Free Library tours
Discover the Library's fascinating free exhibitions, and view the famous dome. (1–2pm & 3–4pm; meet in front foyer; bookings 03 8664 7016)
Free talk: The Art of the Collection
A panel discussion featuring prominent writers, art historians, academics and artists who have contributed to The Art of the Collection, a new book celebrating the Library's Pictures Collection. (2–3pm; Cowen Gallery; bookings 03 8664 7016)
Other Events
The Cultural Challenge of Antarctica
(The 2007 Stephen Murray-Smith Memorial Lecture)
After voyaging to Antarctica in 1985, Stephen Murray-Smith urged his country to make a greater cultural investment in the continent of ice. In this fascinating lecture, Dr Tom Griffiths will take up Murray-Smith’s challenge by telling the story of his voyage and searching for our reflections in the ice. What prevents human culture from dissipating each year with the sea ice? Will strategic idealism triumph over short-term politics in ‘the last continent’? (Tom Griffiths is Professor of History and Graduate Director in the Research School of Social Sciences at the Australian National University, and his latest book is Slicing the Silence: Voyaging to Antarctica.)
Time: Thurs 4 October, 6.30–7.30pm (refreshments from 6pm)
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $15 (concession $10)
Digital Forum: Chat with a Victorian librarian
Hear project manager Chris Wade introduce the State Library’s new dedicated Victorian chat service, which enables users to access expert research help from Victorian librarians when and where they need it, via real-time, web-based chat software.
Time: Tues 2 October, 9–10am
Venue: Meet at front entrance, 8.55am
Bookings: Not required (inquiries 03 8664 7113)
Free
Parenting: Playtime for fun and learning
Please note! These events have been postponed until 2008.
A series of five fun and interactive sessions for parents and their 2- to 4-year-olds, using play to encourage literacy development. Led by Jan Deans, Director of the Early Learning Centre at the University of Melbourne. Take-home support materials will be provided.
Tours & Activities
Library Tour
Join a free, one-hour guided tour and see the famous domed La Trobe Reading Room, and the Dome Galleries, which house the permanent exhibitions Mirror of the World: books and ideas (on Level 4) and The changing face of Victoria (on Level 5).
Time: Mon–Fri, 2–3pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Only necessary for groups; 03 8664 7279
Free
Cecilia Bartoli: Live in Italy (music video)
Mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli performs in a program of opera arias and songs for mezzo with piano and instrumental ensemble. Recorded live at the Teatro Olimpico Vicenza in 1998, it features the Sonatori de la Gioiosa Marca instrumental ensemble and includes works by Rossini, Mozart and Donizetti.
Time: Wed 10 October, 12–1.50pm
Venue: Arts Reading Room
Bookings: Not required
Free
Merce Cunningham: A lifetime of dance (music video)
An in-depth profile of legendary modern-dance choreographer and performer Merce Cunningham, from his earliest successes over 50 years ago to recent works such as Occasion Piece. It features new and archival performance footage and exclusive interviews with dancers, collaborators and the master himself. (Presented to coincide with the appearance of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company at the Melbourne International Arts Festival.)
Time: Wed 24 October, 12–1.30pm
Venue: Arts Reading Room
Bookings: Not required
Free
Activities for Kids
Sparky Stories
Free Sunday fun for kids aged 5 to 12! Create a digital story-book, complete with illustrations, based on your favourite story-book or your own made-up story. Limited to eight children only – so book soon! (Parents must accompany children.)
Time: Sun 14, 21 & 28 October, 10am–12.30pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
A Night Out at the Library
They say the ghosts come out after the Library closes … Children aged 8–12 (and their parents) are invited to visit the Library after hours for a tour, supper, a film on the huge Experimedia screen, and (slightly scary) stories with a guest storyteller. Don’t forget your torch! A special activity for Children’s Week.
Time: Fri 19 October, 5.45–9.45pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or email learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
Become a Library Detective!
This free activity will be fun for the whole family. Children are invited to become Library ‘super-sleuths’ by finding their way around the Library and following the clues to answer 20 questions about the Library’s collections, exhibitions and history. There will be prizes for everyone who completes the activity. (This program is part of Get Into Art!, a special day of activities and events at Melbourne’s public arts venues.)
Time: Sun 28 October, 10am–6pm
Venue: Start in front foyer
Bookings not required
Free
Play Pod: Fun for kids
In the colorful and kid-friendly Play Pod space in Experimedia, children aged 3–5 can dip into favourite story-books anytime. For a more structured activity, ask for the Make a Book box to create your own book, or the Ned's Helmet box to make your own Ned Kelly helmet to take home. (Young children should be supervised by an adult.)
Time: During Library hours
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: Not required
Free
Seniors' Activities
My Treasure: DVD workshop
Do you have a special treasure? It could be an old toy, a favourite ornament, a photo, book, or anything you like! In this one-day workshop in Seniors Week, you’ll combine a digital photograph of your treasure with your recorded narrative to make your own mini-movie! You’ll learn basic video-editing, display your photo on the Your Treasures website and take your DVD home to share. (No technical skills required!)
Time: Wed 10–Fri 12 October, 10.30am–3.30pm daily
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $10
Family Stories: Tour and workshop
This special program for Seniors Week combines a Library tour, an introduction to the Genealogy Centre, and a workshop where participants will record family stories in the form of a children’s picture-book – a delightful memento and gift for the little ones (BYO family photos). Light lunch provided.
Time: Thurs 11 October, 11am–2pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
Blogging for Seniors
It’s never too late to discover new technology! Find out how you can communicate online through a blog – an online journal. It’s a great way to share your interests with others.
Time: Tues 30 October, 11am–12noon
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
School Holiday Program
Making a Scene: Digital animation
Be the star of your own movie! In this one-day workshop, children aged 7–13 will use simple software to create an animated movie, starring themselves! Each child will receive a copy on DVD to take home.
Time: Mon 1–Fri 5 October, 10.30am–3.30pm daily
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $40
Storytime: Treasure Island
Ahoy there! Come in your best pirate outfit and be entertained by storyteller extraordinaire Bernard Caleo's unique reading of Treasure Island. All ages welcome.
Time: Sun 7 October, 10.30–11.30am
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
Old Tom's Big Book of Beauty: Book launch
An afternoon of fun and frivolity with one of Leigh Hobbs' most endearing characters, Old Tom. Enjoy Old Tom stories with the author, dress-ups, hair-dos, photo shoots and a spot of afternoon tea! All ages and families welcome. (Presented in partnership with publisher Allen & Unwin.)
Time: Sun 7 October, 1.30–3.30pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
Sparky Stories: Holiday program
Free fun for kids aged 5–12! Create a digital story-book, complete with illustrations, based on your favourite story-book or your very own made-up story. Limited to eight children only, so book soon! (Each child must be accompanied by an adult.)
Time: Sun 7 October, 12.30–3pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free
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