Category Archives: ARTS

ARTS, ATTRACTIONS, COOL, THIS MONTH

Lanway Gallery

Hosier Lane is located between Flinders Lane and Flinders Street opposite the entrance to Federation Square Atrium, and well worth the walk across the road. The walls of this and adjacent laneway buildings form the canvas for the artists work. To some ‘Tagging’ as this art is frequently called, is frowned upon – even these folk I think may walk away thinking WOW!!.

If you are visiting at the weekend you may even catch some Melbourne’s newly weds in vintage cars using the laneway as the backdrop to their wedding photos.

At the end of the lane is located two Spanish Tapas Bars, the perfect place to end your walk and visit to this space.

ARTS, EVENTS, FESTIVALS

The Light in Winter

The Light in Winter – Light, Enlightenment, Hope.

2 June to 3 July 2011

Federation Square, Melbourne – follow the link to the website and a full copy of the program.

Walking home one evening I came across people gathered around what looked like a camp fire in Federation Square – it was!! Closer inspection I discovered it to be the month long annual program ‘Light in Winter’, which looks this year to the natural element – FIRE, to bring light and warmth to the heart of mid-winter Melbourne. The major feature is a communal arts sculpture installation ‘Light Hearts’ by Canadian-born, Bruce Ramus [picture above]. It is anticipated that the piece will grow over the season as members of Melbourne’s community add their own piece to the installation, be it a lantern, light shade of piece of knitted fabric.

Another piece for the duration of the season is ‘leempeeyt weeyn’ the fire pit which is in centre square, Artist – Vicki Couzens.

These two pieces are well worth a visit to the Federation Square on their own, but a cultural and arts program though out the whole month will get you heading back there a couple of times.

Some of the program highlights include:

• Camp Fire Program
• Solstice Celebration 18th June 5pm – 8pm arrive at 4.30pm to get your lantern, including African flame dances, Pacific Island hot rocks performance and a Mexican fire-breathing bull
• On the Big Screen “Enlightened” Illuminates the diverse meaning which individuals from different cultural backgrounds have expressed on the topic of light
• The Fire in Winter Closing Ceremony 3rd July at 5pm

Refer to the full program to plan when are going to get in to the square.

Peel back the layers of the Onion Skin – other things nearby: It’s well worth spending a couple of hours in the square the Art of the Brick Exhibition, Nathan Sawaya’s large scale Lego sculptures is on display in Federation Square for a limited time only.

Food: In the square there are several eateries to tempt you taste buds including the Transport Hotel or close by and a hop across the bridge at Southgate, the family friendly food court.

How to get there:
Train – Flinders Street Station
Tram – Any tram along St. Kilda Road or Swanston Street to the Federation Square / Flinders Street Station interchange. The free City Circle tram around the city grid stops right outside.