April 2008 – Exhibitions & Events

Exhibitions

The Medieval Imagination: Illuminated Manuscripts from Cambridge, Australia and New Zealand

Discover the rich beauty of medieval and Renaissance illuminated manuscripts at this spectacular free exhibition, featuring treasures from the collections of Cambridge University and from Australian and New Zealand collections.
Time: Until 15 June, 10am–5pm daily (to 9pm Thursdays)
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, see Ned Kelly’s 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, from early scenes of Melbourne to contemporary portraits.
Time: Daily during Library hours
Venue: Cowen Gallery
Free

The Medieval Imagination: Events & Activities

The following programs complement the Library’s free exhibition The Medieval Imagination: Illuminated manuscripts from Cambridge, Australia and New Zealand.

Exhibition introduction

A free half-hour introduction to the exhibition, giving an overview of themes and highlights.
Time: 1 April–12 June, Tues & Fri 1–1.30pm; Thurs 1–1.30pm & 5–5.30pm; Sun 2–2.30pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; 03 8664 7279)
Free

Free audio tour

For an expert commentary on the exhibition by curator Margaret Manion, download the audio tour to your mp3 player (or borrow a player from the Library’s front foyer desk). Available early April.

English Books of Hours

The Book of Hours was the most widely owned and most personal book of the later Middle Ages. Used for private, domestic devotions, it was often elaborately illuminated and illustrated, and its content reveals much about the owner’s daily life, whatever their social rank or position. Nigel Morgan, Honorary Professor of the History of Art, University of Cambridge, will discuss the special qualities of the English Book of Hours.
Time: Thurs 3 April, 6.30–7.30pm
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Medieval music illuminated

These unique concerts of sacred and secular medieval music will be introduced by John Griffiths, Professor of Music and Director of the Early Music Studio at the University of Melbourne. (Presented in association with the City of Melbourne.)

Although music using multiple simultaneous melodies (polyphony) marked a new direction in Western music in the 11th century, single-melody works (monophony) were composed well into the 15th century. This program, performed by e21, will explore the earliest roots of the Western sacred tradition along with later developments, including works from regional sources such as the great Spanish manuscripts of the Codex Calixtinus and Las Huelgas, and chants from the Poissy Antiphonal manuscript held by the State Library of Victoria.
Time: Thursday 10 April, 6.30–7.30pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $20/$18/$15 (full/concession/State Library Foundation members)

O Rosa Bella: Polyphonic music from the late Middle Ages

A performance of elegant and intense vocal polyphony from manuscripts of the 13th to 15th centuries, performed by Early Voices. This program of unaccompanied songs and motets juxtaposes the rhythmically vital style of early medieval motets with the rich and fluid melodic styles that led into the Renaissance. Composers will include Philippe de Vitry, Machaut, Dunstable and Dufay.
Time: Thursday 17 April, 6.30–7.30pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $20/$18/$15 (full/concession/State Library Foundation members)

Monodies: Lyric song from medieval Spain and France

A classic program of exquisite accompanied songs, performed by La Romanesca. The centrepiece is the poignant 13th-century cycle of Gallician-Portuguese Cantigas de amigo by Martim Codax, the sole surviving examples of their genre, complemented by French troubadour and trouvère poet-singer lyrics of the 12th and 13th centuries.
Time: Thursday 24 April, 6.30–7.30pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7016 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $20/$18/$15 (full/concession/State Library Foundation members)

Medieval Faire

Be transported back to the Middle Ages at the State Library’s Medieval Faire – a day of free family activities to celebrate the exhibition The Medieval Imagination. See knights do battle, blacksmiths work armour and jesters juggle! Enjoy entertaining talks, including ‘medieval myth-busters’, plus a feudal fashion parade, medieval chess tournament, illumination and calligraphy demonstrations, storytelling and other activiries for children.
Time: Sunday 20 April, 10am–4pm
Venue: Library forecourt
Bookings: Not required
Free

Talks, Seminars & Workshops

MySpace for kids? The power of community

SuperClubsPLUS Australia is a new social network for young children. It has all the functionality and compulsion of MySpace and Facebook – but it is fundamentally about keeping children safe online, as well giving them a voice, and purposeful activities and spaces in which to use it. This promises to be an important online initiative for Australian children, parents and schools. Martyn Wild, a Director of Intuitive Media Australia, will explain SuperClubsPLUS Australia’s approach to learning and to cybersafety.
Time: Tues 1 April, 9–10am
Venue: Meet at front entrance, 8.55am
Bookings: Not required
Free

Reader development: A seminar and workshop

A one-day seminar and workshop for professionals in youth literature and literacy, presented by the Centre for Youth Literature (CYL), in partnership with Viclink Youth and Children's Services Committee. Topics include: Boys Don't Read for Pleasure (Tom Palmer, UK reader development consultant); the Young Readers program (Paula Kelly, CYL); new books for teenagers (Lili Wilkinson, CYL); plus the launch of the Youth Strategy in Public Libraries Wiki.
Time: Thurs 10 April, 9am–3.30pm
Venue: Village Roadshow Theatrette (Entry 3, La Trobe Street)
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or bookings@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $80 (CYL subscribers $60)

Create your own Facebook account

Learn how Facebook can be a social networking tool for you. In this session you’ll create your own Facebook account so you can connect socially with people in the virtual world.
Time: Tues 22 April, 11am–12noon
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Games and gamers

Hear a panel of video-game developers and commentators explore challenges in the game sector. The Nintendo Wii has brought hands-on video gaming into the mainstream, while portable game platforms are immensely popular, and casual games are also on the rise. What does the future hold? (Presented in association with Dissecta.)
Time: Tues 29 April, 6.30–8pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Tours & Activities

Dome Galleries tour

Visit four levels of the great dome, including the magnificent domed La Trobe Reading Room and highlights of the exhibitions The changing face of Victoria and Mirror of the World: books and ideas.
Time: Mon–Fri (except public holidays), 2–3pm
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; call 03 8664 7279)
Free

Movie-making for seniors

Learn new skills and star in your own mini-movie! Bring along your photos and other special objects and tell your story on film, then take it home on DVD.
Time: Mon 7 April, 10am–3pm (with half-hour lunch break)
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or email learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Musical Wednesdays

These relaxed Wednesday afternoon sessions feature free screenings of great music performances on video – a must for music fans. Seating is limited, so come early.
Times: Wed 9 & 23 April, 12–2pm
Venue: Arts Reading Room
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; call 03 8664 7194)
Free

Outside-in cinema: Urban Clan and Words From the City

Watch contemporary music and dance documentaries and performances on the big screen in Experimedia. On 16 April, Urban Clan tells the story of the Page brothers, the creative core of Bangarra Dance Theatre. On 30 April, Words From the City explores local hip-hop. If you like, bring a picnic dinner and a rug! (Minors must be accompanied by an adult.)
Time: Wed 16 & 30 April, approx 6.30–8pm
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or email learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

Children’s Activities

Your medieval portrait

Become a medieval knight or lady! Select a costume, then pose for your photo in front of our castle, and take your portrait home.
Time: From 7 April, 10am–5pm daily
Venue: Experimedia, State Library
Bookings: Not required
Free

Make a medieval crown or shield

For more medieval fun, younger children can borrow an activity box and follow simple instructions to make their own royal crown, lady’s veil or knight’s shield to take home.
Time: From 7 April, 10am–5pm daily
Venue: Experimedia, State Library
Bookings: Not required
Free

Sparky Stories: Digital workshop for kids

Free Sunday fun for kids aged 5 to 12! Each child will create a digital picture-book, complete with illustrations, to take home on DVD. (Limited to seven children per workshop; children must be accompanied by an adult.)
Time: Sundays, 10am–12noon
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Free

April School Holiday Activities

Knights, ladies and court jesters: Digital workshop

Calling all medieval knights, ladies and court jesters! Write a script and then star in your own medieval movie, inspired by the Library’s exhibition The Medieval Imagination. Take your film home on DVD to show off. (For ages 7 to 13.)
Time: Mon 31 March–Fri 4 April, 10.30am–4pm daily
Venue: Experimedia
Bookings: 03 8664 7555 or learning@slv.vic.gov.au
Cost: $40

Really old books: Exhibition tour

Enjoy a free, one-hour guided tour of the magnificent exhibition Mirror of the World: books and ideas to see rare and beautiful books from the Middle Ages to today. Following the tour, join in an optional half-hour activity where children can make their own illustrated book.
Time: Mon 31 March–Fri 4 April, 10.30–11.30am
Venue: Meet in front foyer
Bookings: Not required (except for groups; call 03 8664 7279)
Free