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Tuesday, February 4, 2014

The QAG and GoMA...and another Giveaway!

Last Sunday, 3 friends (we'd been schoolmates many years ago!)  and I went to visit the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art.
There were 2 exhibitions in particular that we had gone to see. California Design (at the QAG) and Cai Guo-Qiang's Falling Back to Earth. In this post I will concentrate on the California Design Exhibition as the work of Cai Guo-Qiang deserves its own post!


The website describes California design:-
'California Design 1930-1965: Living in a Modern Way' introduces Australian audiences to a broad spectrum of industrial, architectural, commercial, fashion and craft design from California.'

These 2 items were just near where we lined up to buy our tickets for both Exhibitions...


What an impressive caravan!
 A closeup of that sign near the caravan door...



The one thing that 'struck us' was that, despite these items being designed and made so long ago, (1930-1965) the items looked so contemporary; most would not have looked out of place in a modern home. It was only when we were walking through the second hall/room of this Exhibition that we realised that you were allowed to take photos, so the pics in this post only show a very small section of what was on display.

Some of the Clothing...
 Decor...
 Toys...
This elephant was made of moulded plywood...this was a prototype; this toy never went into production...I loved it!
 More toys and games...
 The pottery items were beautiful...
 A very stylish lot of office furniture...

The swimsuit was worn by Esther Williams...

 This Oscar statuette was beside Esther's swimsuit...


This chair got my attention...

When I moved around behind the chair I was really taken with the spine/rib like back, made of beautiful polished timber...

Outside the exhibition halls was this large map of California and 2 charming orange 'saucer' chairs which we noticed people were using as a backdrop to photos...

The charming attendant was quite happy to take our photo...Val's handbag matches the chairs! lol


Now the Giveaway is a quite whimsical tote bag bought from the pop up California Design shop and this giveaway is to celebrate the 800 blog posts milestone. (I'm actually a bit late as this post is #805 but you know the old saying...better late than never! ) The bag is well made and the fabric looks very durable. 
Anyone who leaves a comment on this post will be in the draw which will close February 15, 8pm AEST. 


Anyone who has trouble leaving a comment, just email your comment to me. 
The California Design exhibition will close in Brisbane next Sunday, February 9. 

12 comments:

creations.1 said...

Yo are so right the designs would sit perfectly in our world today - great post!!

Dorothy said...

I'm always intrigued by your interesting posts. Wish I had your 'get-up-and-go'... perhaps age has caught up with me. Anyway, that California exhibition looks fascinating and like you said, some of the exhibits could probably be still seen in some homes nowadays. Interesting chair - reminded me of a ship for some reason ?? Congratulations on your 800th post and please, please include me in the draw for your giveaway. Love animal print fabric and that picture on it cracks me up. xox

barbara woods said...

love that bag

Jenny said...

I'd like to see that exhibit! I should get a couple of friends together for a visit. We can always take our knitting and have a knit in the forecourt or coffee shop afterwards, that would be a very Fifties thing to do Maria
:-).

Helen S said...

Wow Maria, I love that chair. Thank you for the virtual visit. The variety in your blog reminds me to keep looking for new experiences! Lovely morning yesterday too:) Helen S

Noela said...

Wow Maria, over 800 posts. You will have lots of memories in each and every post. Hugs.....

Anonymous said...

congrats on 800 posts maria and thankyou for sharing your pics,and not long now till we meet,oh and such a cute bag.xx

duchess_declutter said...

That is a great milestone Maria! Well done - and the exhibition looks fabulous, as does the bag. cheers Wendy

Becky said...

Maria - you do as well as Scott and I at finding interesting places to visit and experience. Don't put me in the draw since I won the last one and someone else deserves a chance to get some fun mail.

Cheryl said...

What an amazing exhibition Maria. 800 posts - that is amazing. Big congratulations

Susan said...

What is old is new again!!
800 ++ = great effort maria
and thanks for a chance to win...

retdairyqueen said...

Well done on your 805 posts
Always an interesting read