The National Gallery of Victoria is in preparation mode for the largest international contemporary art exhibition in its history: Andy Warhol/Ai Weiwei. There’s a real buzz in the air as 300 works are being delivered and unpacked. The exhibition opens on 11 December and will run until 24 April 2016.
Erecting exhibition entrance and ticketing area
Installation of Andy Warhol’s Cow Wallpaper (Pink on Yellow) 1966 is a challenging undertaking.
Warhol became absorbed in serial production and repetition and adopted wallpaper to present his aesthetic in the Pop Art form.
‘They’re super-pastoral! They’re ridiculous! They’re blazingly bright and vulgar!’ Ivan Karp – Art Dealer who inspired Warhol
Artwork details: Andy Warhol American 1928-87 Cow Wallpaper (Pink on Yellow) 1966, reprint 2015 Screenprint on wallpaper The Andy Warhol Museum, Pittsburg
Work has commenced in The Coles Court where the heritage listed blue stone walls have been prepared with a second skin of silver sarking on which the wallpaper will be pasted.
Silver sarking preparation
The installation involves pasting the wallpaper on 7 metre high walls with the use of scissor lifts.
Installation in progress using scissor lift and laser monitoring (lower left)
Precision is key. To prevent side creep, a laser beam is employed to ensure the 600m wide strips are precisely aligned. A staggering total of 2 kilometres of wall paper designs will be installed.
The exhibition will also include paintings, silk-screens, film, music and publishing.
A comprehensive grouping of works by Ai Weiwei will be presented including Forever Bicycles – involving the installation of 1500 bicycles in Federation Court. This promises to be truly spectacular.
The exhibition will highlight the significant influence these two outstanding artists have had on modern art focusing on their similarities and geniuses.
This promises to be more than an eye opener. Try not to miss it.
The exhibition opens 11 December and will run until 24 April 2016.
Tickets available online by clicking here
Visit the Gallery:
National Gallery of Victoria
180 St Kilda Road,
Melbourne Victoria
Open: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm daily