A Day of Art

 We had an amazing day of art in Feb and it was a rare perfect day.

We started with the Banksy exhibit. It was at Town Hall underneath, a great space for exhibitions. I had seen another Banksy exhibit nearly 10 years earlier in Melbourne and it was large and varied, and this was much the same, except mostly newer pieces. Banksy is nothing if not prolific. We had a lot of fun with the exhibit and it raised many talking point.

We then went across the road to the Mamon Brasserie and were lucky enough to get a table and have brunch which was divine! Their hot chocolate was made with real melted chocolate and old-fashioned clotted cream. It was the most delicious thing I have ever tasted. Their Croque Madam was amazing too.

Next stop, NSW Art Gallery where we were met by the amazing Maman, a huge sculpture of a spider by Louise Bourgeois. I had originally spent time with this giant sculpture many decades before in New York when I was there. Maman was new then and sitting in front of the Rockefeller Centre. I had never heard of Bourgeois, and was fascinated to know she was in her 80s at the time and French. Of course I fell in love. So to be reunited with that sculpture was quite moving. 

First, we took in the Kandinsky exhibit. I had 'discovered" his work in that same trip to New York, at the Guggenheim. I loved his use of colour and geometrics. So it was a blast to see this large exhibit of his work. Andrew has studied art, and particularly loves Kandinsky, so this was very exciting to see for both of us.

After a little break we headed to the gorgeous new building for modern art next to the beautiful old building. This was where we would stay for hours, having our minds absolutely blown with Louise's genius. I had seen some of her other works in some mixed exhibits over the years and read a lot about her, but just didn't realise how prolific she was. But I really should have given she was still creating right up to her death at 98.

The exhibit was called Day and Night, and each had their own floor. Day was magnificent with paintings, sculptures, embroidery, and on and on. We were mesmerised by her range and output. There were so many pieces to take in, we were there a long time. It was easily one of the best exhibitions I had ever seen. We took a little break - at the gift shop of course - before heading down to the lowest level to see Night.

The guard on duty outside that level was the same one who sold us the tickets. She asked how we were enjoying it, I had a lovely conversation with her about how wonderful it was etc etc. Andrew had gone ahead to look into what is called The Tank. The guide looked at me with what I now know was a "you ain't seen nothing yet" look, Andrew comes back to drag me in, with a wide eyed look I hadn't seen on him.

I entered Level 4 or The Tank and gasped, it was the most remarkable space. Overwhelming in the best possible way. When they were digging in this area for this new gallery (ground level is above ground, the remainder all below ground) they found the old reservoir (which they knew was there) in very good condition. It was built for the war in case Sydney's waters were contaminated, this reservoir had water that could be used. It is a large space, with concrete floors and walls, now polished beautifully. The columns holding up the roof are still intact and look amazing and powerful. The only new addition was a spiral staircase that you can come down from other levels.

Night held her more abstract pieces of art, her larger pieces, her interactive pieces. The room was lit lightly, enough to see, but enough to have it remain fairly dark and the small lights were placed to shine off pieces. It was eerie but not scary, cool but not cold, and had the most original atmosphere. Goosebumps all round. We were there a long time, spending time with each piece, alone and together. We didn't say a lot but were both totally drawn to everything. Photos will do it no justice, when we finally left I needed a bathroom, and I burst into tears from the beauty of it all.

We were both exhausted - but in the best possible way - by it all.

What a treat!