This week I visited the Museum of Contemporary Art, located in Sydney's Circular Quay. This fabulous very trendy - youth friendly and interractive Gallery is currently holding its Autumn exhibitions for 2010, first, second and fourth floor being free, while the third floor requires tickets to see the temporary autumn show casing.

The first and second floors presented a majority of indigenous abstract pieces reflecting their ideas about native flora and fauna, as well as the landscapes of Australia today. Traditional native techniques were amongst many of these pieces including dot painting and water-colours. What took my eye particularly within this floor was the ornate colour schemes used to present the autumn colours of Australia. Ildiko Kovacs's 'Lulu' of 1999 for example was an oil paint on ply wood, which enlightened me with its vibrancy.

The fourth (free) level was involved with French Film artist Sylvie Blocher's exebition 'What is Missing?' ; studies of individuals and groups in societies.

This floor was set up with screens presenting her film pieces separately in rooms or spaces. I felt her pieces touched heavily on human expressions of identity, migration, wealth, poverty and privilege, all of which were confronting to an extent, but also luring, and comfortable. One piece called 'Living Pictures / Extase' was very confronting, as to achieve this piece she gave the captured individuals a space of relaxation and pleasure and could utilize
their bodies without limits. Sexual expression and references are captured in this film, however the frightening realism is very effective in presenting authentic reactions to the above themes.

Another of her pieces 'The Lure of Paris' featuring Stephen Bush was a monologue piece timed specifically to enable certain points to be comprehended correctly. Stephen talked about the art of seduction, its benefits and disadvantages in a life of work and relationships. The timing enhanced therapeutic effect of the piece, which allows me to capture what he was saying with meaning and understanding.

The Gallery currently has weekly floor talks and performances, like the 'Auslin Tour' on Saturdays at 11 am - 12 noon. This tour involves an Auslin-interpreted tour of 'Take Your Time' by Olfer Eliasson, talking about key themes and practice. (Free for speech impaired)
There are also Colour Theory tours, and Artist talks running through out Autumn which are highly recommended!

There are a number of Special events being held at the moment like 'Vicious Threads'
for people to experience hands on fabric, stitch, and sculpturing for under $15.00 but you must book!

After the tour I spent some time in the MCA store, which was a pleasant surprise of gifts and items that amazed me. I was particularly interested in the artist books and catalogs for sale, as well as (on a cheaper level) cute I Love MCA badges. After a very artistic day in the Museum of Contemporary Art, I was so impressed as to buy myself an artist-style kaleidoscope; very impressive.

To check out more about the fabulous MCA in Sydney visit http://www.mca.com.au/



Level of Recommendation : 4/5 Stars