The National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) has announced several new
initiatives to drive their vision to become a leading international hub for
design.
New design initiatives include the creation of the Department of
Contemporary Design and Architecture, the first of its kind for an art gallery
in Australia, new appointments to the NGV team, and a series of programs
including exhibitions, awards, installations and a design store.
Two of Australia’s foremost design professionals, Ewan McEoin and Simone
LeAmon have joined the NGV team. The two new positions have been funded through
the generous philanthropic support of The Hugh D.T. Williamson Foundation.
Making this announcement, Tony Ellwood, Director of the NGV said that Ewan
and Simone will bring a strong creative industry perspective, connections and
ideas to the Gallery.
With two decades of experience in the Australian design industry, Ewan
McEoin will lead the new department while also working across future design
strategy and new retail initiatives at the NGV. Simone LeAmon has worked for
two decades as a visual artist, industrial designer, businessperson, industry
consultant, curator, writer and university lecturer.
NGV’s new Department of Contemporary Design and Architecture will work
closely with the local and international design industries, collecting,
presenting and exploring the most interesting trajectories of design and
architecture.
New design initiatives announced include the opening of the Design
Project Space at NGVA in 2016, presenting a diverse program of design and
architecture projects, exhibitions, films and conversations to explore key
ideas and issues in design and architecture; the revitalised Rigg Design
Prize shortlist; NGV Commission for Ephemeral Architecture for a
temporary outdoor installation; and a new design store.
Presented by the NGV, the triennial Rigg Design Prize of $30,000 is
awarded to an Australian contemporary designer displaying outstanding creative
achievements in design production. The 2015 Rigg Design Prize shortlist
includes Brodie Neill, Khai Liew, Adam Goodrum, Daniel Emma, Kate Rohde, Korban
Flaubert, Koskela and Elcho Island Weavers.
Submissions for the NGV Commission for Ephemeral Architecture will
be sought each year from architects and designers to offer innovative
designs for a temporary outdoor installation in NGV’s Grollo Equiset garden. The
inaugural Commission for NGV’s Ephemeral Architecture program for 2015 has been
developed by John Wardle Architects for their project titled ‘I Dips Me Lid’,
which takes inspiration from the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, an iconic public
performance venue in Melbourne, and will be a theatrical centrepiece
offering shade, retreat and a place for performance and workshops.
The NGV design store and online shop has been recently rebranded
and restocked, and will collaborate with leading designers, artists and
manufacturers to produce, present and showcase design products from local and
international designers.
Events and programs announced include Design Speaks: Housing Futures on 31
July 2015, presented in partnership with Architecture Media and featuring local
and international architects such as Charles Renfro (New York), Kerstin
Thompson (Melbourne) and Philip Thalis (Sydney); and Parallels – Journeys into
Contemporary Making in September 2015, organised by NGV in partnership
with the National Craft Initiative (NCI). The two-day international conference is
designed to reframe conversations about contemporary craft and design
practices.
Work is underway on the 2017 NGV Triennial, a
major celebration of contemporary art design and architecture from around the
world. The NGV Triennial will provide a multidisciplinary focus on art, design
and architecture, as well as fashion, film, performance and a variety of
cultural practices.