ARTS MATTERS
TOP DESIGNS
Top Designs is an annual exhibition held at Melbourne Museum which showcases some of the exceptional talent from students across the state.
This year Katie Zhou, who graduated in 2019, is exhibiting her Visual Communication Design folio/work in the Top Designs 2020 Exhibition. She is one of only sixteen Visual Communication Design Students in the state who was accepted.
While Melbourne Museum is temporarily closed to the public, they have developed a virtual tour of the exhibition.
Here are some of Katie’s thoughts about her experience being accepted:
“Congratulations! Your Visual Communication Design work has been selected for exhibition in Top Designs 2020...”
When an email notification popped up on my phone late last year, I did not expect to read those words. A mixture of disbelief and excitement surged through my body.
After finding out that my application was successful, I attended the exhibition preparation day. This consisted of getting to meet the other exhibiting students and getting a sneak peak at all the works that would be in the exhibition. I felt so overwhelmed with awe and inspiration at all the unbelievable works and people I met. It was really interesting to hear different people discuss their design concepts and their creative processes. Everyone had such passion and drive and it excited me to think about how all these creative people around me would impact the future of design.
After many emails back and forth from the curators, an exquisite exhibition was crafted showcasing the extensive talent around Victoria. For now, we can only view it from behind a screen, but hopefully in the future the public will be able to view it in person.
Overall, this surreal experience has been an incredible first step into the design industry, and has really fuelled me with a spark to keep creating. I highly encourage all VCD students to submit their work to Top Designs too, because you never know what they are looking for. I myself really didn’t expect to be chosen. This all wouldn’t have been possible without the support at McKinnon, in particular, my teachers.
Katie Zhou
2019 Graduate
CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK TO THE VIRTUAL TOUR FOR TOP DESIGNS AT THE MELBOURNE MUSEUM.
Peter Eglezos
Visual Design/Art Teacher
TOP ARTS 2020 VIRTUAL EXCURSION
On Thursday 16 April, the 3/4 Studio Arts class had the chance to go on a virtual excursion of this year's Top Arts exhibition. During this excursion, the curator David Menzies took us through a tour of the most high achieving artworks made by the Year 12s from last year, explaining their processes and how they came to create the amazing art that they did.
We also learnt more about the selection process for Top Arts, how they try to ensure to have as much diversity as possible and allow art from all around Victoria to have the chance to be a part of the exhibition. Overall, this excursion was a great opportunity to understand what we should be doing throughout the year to ensure our folio and finals are created at a high standard and hopefully earn a spot in Top Arts 2021.
A self-guided virtual tour is available at https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/virtual-tours/top-arts-2020/ .
Alice Rapoport
Year 12 Student
TOP ARTS AND JAPANESE MODERNISM EXHIBITIONS
Towards the end of Term one, students undertaking Studio Arts Units 1 and 2, had the amazing opportunity to view some of the previous folio work and final artworks produced by Australian students during their Units 3 and 4 of Studio Arts. The artworks were chosen and collected by the NVG and were on display as a source of inspiration for current students and for the general public to admire. The folios however were only available for viewing by schools that booked in advance. We were so lucky to have the opportunity to view the folios on the first day they opened, especially because the gallery closed the folio viewings to schools the very next day, to cut off potential spread of Covid-19. We gained a huge amount of ideas and inspiration for our own works.
The artworks themselves were incredible to view. It was amazing to be able to see the pieces in their first stages of life coming together through mind-maps and sketches in a visual diary, and to then be able to walk around the carefully curated exhibition and see them in their final impressive state. The artworks were assembled with a huge range of media, including video and film, acrylic and oil on canvas, and sculpture. Every student found something that inspired them, and we left the exhibition with a newfound appreciation for the work that goes into producing stunning final artworks.
After viewing the Top Arts Exhibition, we were also able to view a Japanese Modernism exhibition in a different part of the gallery. This exhibition featured beautiful major works by young female artists of the era and rare large-scale paintings by Japanese artists. The highlight of the collection for me were the modernist colour prints produced with the refined traditional Japanese techniques. The workmanship of every piece was remarkable. Although the room holding all of the artworks was small in size, the exhibition held much to look at, including, fashion pieces of the era, such as kimonos and related accessories. Popular culture and interior design were also represented with crafted glassware, magazines, and graphic designs.
Both exhibitions left us full of inspiration and with an enhanced understanding of our course, and we returned to the classroom ready to apply it all to our own artworks.
A huge thank you from the 1/2 Studio Arts classes, to Ms Sip and Ms Kuriata for organising our viewing of the Top Arts and Japanese Modernism exhibitions, as well as other exhibitions throughout the year.
Louisa D’Ambra
Year 10 Student
ART IN ISO
Art is a great way to take your mind off pressure and schoolwork, especially during this stressful time.
I like to create art in my spare time because you don’t have to think or follow instructions and you can just grab a pencil (or a paintbrush or a crayon or whatever) and have fun! You could even exchange pictures of your artwork with your friends, to keep up with what they have been making. I think it is important for students to express themselves with art, because it is relaxing and enjoyable and you don’t have to worry about proving yourself.
Students should take themselves away from their computer screens to create art, no matter how big, at least once or twice a week (or once or twice a day!).
Rowen Hull
Year 8 Student