NGV connects digital and physical to explore the impact of design
Jack-in-the-pulpit vase c.1913 by Louis Comfort Tiffany. credit: NGV Melbourne
TL;DR Australian gallery the NGV is launching its next online seminar series “Observations.”
So what? If you’re a design history fan you can engage with the NGV collection regardless of location.
Australia's oldest and most visited art museum, Melbourne's National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) has announced the return of its curated online seminar series, Observations, in 2023. This year, NGV presents "Observations: Moments in Design History," an exploration of the profound impact of design throughout history, offering participants a unique opportunity to explore the movements, materials, and manufacturers that have shaped global design.
From August to October, NGV will host monthly seminars featuring esteemed historians, writers, and curators from around the world. The seminars will be streamed live through NGV's online platform, providing a unique digital experience that connects participants globally. Drawing from the NGV's prestigious collection of historical decorative arts and design, the seminars will offer valuable insights into diverse topics, including Art Nouveau, the Bauhaus, Japanese and Korean craft and design, and the role of design in Indian life and culture.Design in the Early Modern Period
The series kicks off with "Design in the Early Modern Period," a seminar focused on the decorative arts of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the emerging technologies, markets, and makers of this era, including renowned porcelain manufacturers Wedgwood and Sèvres. Esteemed presenters such as Carolyn Sargentson, author and former curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London; Misun Rheem, a curator and lecturer at Busan National University in South Korea; and Dr. Meha Priyadarshini, a lecturer at the University of Edinburgh, will share their expertise during this seminar.
The Scarf Dance table centrepiece, modelled 1898 by Agathon LÉONARD manufactured 1923 by Sevres Porcelain Factory, Sèvres. Credit: NGV Melbourne
Traditional Crafts and the Rise of Modernism
In September, "Traditional Crafts and the Rise of Modernism" will shine a spotlight on the significance of traditional design and craftsmanship in daily life. The seminar will focus on India, Shaker communities in America, and the Mingei movement in Japan. Participants will discover the influence of design on women's suffrage and explore twentieth-century design through key movements, such as Art Nouveau and the iconic works of Frank Lloyd Wright. Renowned speakers including Hanai Hisaho, Curator at the National Museum of Modern Art in Tokyo; Sarah Margolis-Pineo, Intrepid Associate at John Keith Russell Antiques specialising in Shaker design; and Dr. Zoë Thomas, Associate Professor in Modern History at the University of Birmingham, will provide valuable insights.Twentieth Century Design
The final seminar in October, "Twentieth Century Design," will delve into the designers and design styles that reimagined modernism and revolutionised the world of design. Attendees will explore the works of influential designers such as Isamu Noguchi, George Nakashima, Charlotte Perriand, and Ray and Charles Eames, as well as the impact of movements like the Bauhaus, Milan Memphis, and Surrealism. Esteemed speakers including British design critic and author Alice Rawsthorn OBE; Catharine Rossi, Professor of Architecture at the University for the Creative Arts in Canterbury, UK; and Christian Witt-Doerring, Curator of Decorative Arts at the Neue Galerie New York, will share their expertise and provide unique insights.
Carlton room divider, 1981 by Ettore Sottsass. Credit: NGV Melbourne
Director of NGV, Tony Ellwood AM, expressed his excitement about this year's Observations series, stating, "From the early modern era to the mid-twentieth century, this year's Observations series explores the history of design through iconic works of design and decorative arts from the NGV Collection. The NGV Collection is one of the great cultural assets of Victoria, and its rich and diverse holdings allow us to narrate a great many stories, including some of the key moments, movements, and makers in design history. By investigating design history, this series will demonstrate why design matters and how the past has shaped the design practices of today."
The Observations Seminar Series is an extension of the NGV environment and exhibitions, providing art and design lovers worldwide with an engaging digital experience. By seamlessly connecting participants globally, NGV is dedicated to fostering a sense of community and shared exploration of the intricate relationship between digital and physical design experiences.
In addition to the seminar series, NGV will publish edited transcripts of the original presentations, featuring contributions from all the international guest speakers. This publication will be available for purchase through the NGV design store and online, allowing art and design enthusiasts to delve deeper into the knowledge and insights shared during the seminars.
Observations: Moments in Design History will take place between August and October 2023. Participants can choose to book into one seminar or all three, with access to the content for four weeks following each seminar.
For more information and bookings, please visit the NGV website at NGV.MELBOURNE.