David Shrigley and existentialism at NGV

Words: Saskia Edwards
Images: Jonathan Rae
Original Artwork: David Shrigley

A sculpture of a naked man that intermittently blinks and then urinates into a bucket is hardly the image that springs to mind when thinking of existentialism.

While David Shrigley’s works may not fit the classic manifestation of existentialism - think Kafka and Nietzsche - they do force an inner contemplation of life.

Or more, they confront you with the banality of human existence.

It’s hard to look at Shrigley’s works without feeling a sense of humourous nihilism.

His current exhibition at NGV includes drawings, paintings, sculpture, animated videos and artist books.

NGV Director Tony Ellwood said: “David Shrigley is one of contemporary art’s most unique conceptual artists; his works are renowned for their humour and ability to convey in stark black and white the most complex as well as trivial moments of human experience.

“David Shrigley: Life and Life Drawing is the artist’s first comprehensive Australian exhibition and is sure to delight his avid fans in Melbourne and beyond.”

Shrigley’s exhibition at NGV also includes a two tonne clay sausage that’s gradually becoming arid and cracked over the course of the display. The installation looks like intestines wormed around each other. Perhaps it’s a comment on the matter of our bodies - that while each of us see some divinity within ourselves we’re really just flesh and bones. 

But there’s some relief in knowing this. And seemingly that’s where the humour lies. Ultimately, we’re just irrelevant beings with a meaningless existence all destined for the same fate. But it releases the pressure of making something out of everything - it leaves you free to enjoy life for what it is.

As Adrian Searle said: “Shrigley’s work is very wrong and very bad in all sorts of ways.“It is also ubiquitous and compelling.

“There are lots of artists who, furrowing their brows and trying to convince us of their seriousness, aren’t half as profound or compelling.” 

A.P.C. opens in Melbourne and broadens the fashion landscape

Words: Matt Willms

Images: Matt Willms

The Kayne tick of approval, minimalism, pale wood and coveted collaborations with Nike, M/M, Bonton, Vanessa Seward and Aesop; A.P.C. opened its first Australian store in Melbourne's QV building in the CBD today.

The Atelier de Production et de Création space finds a perfect fit within Melbourne's fashion landscape with the French label's understated daywear, simple lines and nautical stripes.

The full women’s and men’s Spring/Summer 2014 collection, as well as accessories, can now be purchased on Lonsdale Street.

French architect Laurent Deroo designed the store with Kelvin Ho from Akin Creative, the Sydney based architecture and interior design agency who've created stores for Incu, Sass and Bide, Bassike and Ksubi.

A.P.C. joins a list of international retailers to flagship in Melbourne before Sydney, potentially forecasting Australia's fashion-retail future.

Swedish giant H&M will open their biggest store after extensive renovations in the iconic GPO next month, with their premier brand COS to set up shop across the road in the Strand shortly after.

Japan's Uniqlo attempted to place themselves in Melbourne consumer’s minds with a soft opening pop-up store on Swanston Street at the end of last year and ahead of their grand opening in Emporium.

Melbourne already boasts a Comme Des Garçons pocket tucked away in a CBD laneway and a Kenzo store alongside prestigious retailers on Little Collins Street, while Sydneysiders can only buy into these brands online or through local stockists.

ACNE and Nudie Jeans also placed confidence in shoppers with ACNE opening another Melbourne store in Armadale in 2010 before opening its second London store on Pelham Street just last year, while Nudie only recently opened up its first London space in Soho, when Melbourne already has shops in both the City and on Chapel Street.

Unlike Zara, British high street giant Topshop Topman also made its Australian debut in Melbourne when it opened its doors on Chapel Street, South Yarra in 2011, the Sydney store followed about a year later on the corner of George and Market Street in the CBD.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics released a report in November which showed Melbourne overtaking Sydney in population size by 2030, while another projection estimates the overtake to occur in 2053; either way Melbourne seems to be the first choice for international retailers to lay down their bricks and mortar.