Design Fringe 2024

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Posted 2024-10-20 by Jen ⇒ follow

Fri 06 Sep 2024 - Sun 24 Nov 2024

We Have Shared Bread And Salt

Images - Writers Own

Linden New Art has a constant rotation of exhibitions and workshops throughout the year. Located at 26 Acland Street, St Kilda, we were a little too early for our favourite Post Card exhibition, but were able to see the Design Fringe exhibition, which is a part of Melbourne Fringe , which ended on 20 October. However the 'Design Fringe' exhibition runs till 24 November 2024 - so be sure to check it out.

Do note there is one exhibit that contains flashing LED panels and is pretty harsh on the eyes, and not suitable for people who are light sensitive or have neurological conditions like epilepsy, to name one. With the title of 'we have shared bread and salt' - it's an Ancient Greek proverb which speaks of the ancient custom of welcoming strangers and expressing gratitude, friendship and trust through the act of eating. This year's exhibition celebrates the role of design in fostering togetherness. It highlights the power of the table as a gathering place, inspiring new forms of connection and understanding, and highlighting the vibrant intersections of culture, conversation and food.

Do check out the online catalogue here , with items at the exhibition on sale to purchase. The art gallery itself is a beautiful space and a joy to visit. This exhibition allows you to interact and has an array of bottle caps grouped into colours on the wall in a dispenser. You can make a mobile to take home or add to what's already hanging along the corridor. We stopped and played with it a while, adding our little contribution to what was already hanging there. What you see above are the Gallimo Designs and are not for sale. Knitted by three generations of women, they also celebrate 'women's work' which has a long history of being undervalued and under-appreciated. What you see on the floor that looks like a bolster is an interactive floor seating option with engagement and play in mind.

On the little table above is an image of a dinner party in which scale, form and function are ambiguous and uncertain. It's a playful arrangement of found and constructed elements to stimulate the palates of diverse dinner guests - people, animals, insects, plants - all are equal and welcome around Kurzer's table. Set against the gallery's window, it's quite a beauty to investigate. The below image is of the 'Chronicles of Resilience' which is designed to amplify the voices of women who are impacted by endometriosis. The tiles have been inscribed by 11 women and explore the themes of challenge, resilience, empowerment and imagined futures. It was also very beautiful to look at

The 'salt lake seat' below was a favourite of mine because it was organic, made of swamp paperbark, she-oak, dried grass, decomposed organic matter, jute twine, clay and more. It's a homage to the curious foam structures that form on the banks of the Salt Lake in Westgate Park (Bunurong Country), and a tangible expression of an unseen world. The other exhibit I was truly mesmerised by were these rocks you can see further down. 'Confabulations' - the artist rejoices in excavating surface layers to reveal the past. The public is invited to participate in this installation by arranging the rocks in the boxes to serve as conversation prompts, at the table and beyond. I just wanted to take them home, but just didn't have $5000 in my pocket.

The 'Closet' (image below) was also fascinating with its deep colours. This work goes far deeper than what's on the surface, so be sure to read about all the artwork at the exhibition in the online catalogue . I thought this was some sort of laminated construction, but in this case, it was 3000 bottle tops saved from landfill; the work breathing new life into materials originally designed for singular purposes. The impetus of this work lies in its process-driven narrative. The transformative power inherent in commonplace substances parallels the artist’s journey of breaking free from the constraints of a predefined identity.

If you love art, the whole exhibition is a must-see, each with its own message that challenges you to think beyond what you see on the surface. You can read the catalogue (link above) before you head out and that way you'll be armed with information, making the exhibition even more meaningful. I mentioned the Postcard Show in the first paragraph. Save the date in the diary and watch out for it on 7 Dec 2024 - with the exhibition running till 2 Feb 2025. It's a much loved annual highlight, where you'll find an expanded size this year of 2D and 3D artworks. It's amazing for the artists who submit their works each year as well, contributing up to 1000 artworks each year. Because of their size, it also makes it affordable to purchase. I bought a couple of gorgeous pieces a couple of years ago for $50 each. Christmas is coming, and it might be a good time to get something special for the creative in your life who loves art. Stay in touch for updates via the website and Facebook .