My pick of the festival so far has been an excellent documentary called Waste Land.   I hadn’t heard of Brazilian artist Vik Muniz prior to seeing this film, so don’t look here for a well-informed critique of his work.  Maybe look here instead.  But his photographs will probably be familiar to you – his shtick is to create images, particularly portraits, out of wacky stuff – in this film it’s recyclable materials salvaged from Brazil’s (and possibly the world’s?) largest tip – and then photograph the end result.  Anyway, this dude is Brazil’s most successful artistic export and the doco sees him conceive a new project that will give back to some of the poorest peeps in his homeland.

Vik is not the star of the film though.

Vik involves an incredible bunch of ‘pickers’ to help him create the images he is after – the pickers are people who pick through the rubbish in the landfill to find recyclable plastics, papers, bottles, cans, etc.  Could better ‘talent’ be found for a doco?  I doubt it.  They guys are warm, intelligent, beautiful, funny, endearing and full of spunk.  The journey they go on as they participate in Vik’s project is simply remarkable.  The doco is an exploration of art as a life-changing experience, and it gives me goose-bumps just thinking about it.

I loved every minute of this film.  I wanted to applaud all the way through the second half.  I highly recommend that you get along to the second MIFF screening – 7 August at 2:30pm.  It will sell out, so get onto it.

My sketches from the Australian Made exhibition

Happy times for me this week in the shapely form of Australian made, the new fashion exhibition at the Ian Potter Center, Melbourne.  I am  the original, un-killable fashion victim and anything that promises to be pretty, frilly, flounced or in any way fabulous has me tripping over my mock Manolo’s to get first look.  I must admit it all seems so long ago, now that I’m at home sick with my tracksuit pants on backwards and am zipped into stained yellow polar fleece, but I’ll try to remember the good times…

A glass case of glittering gowns begins the exhibition that takes us back to the beginnings of Aussie fashion frockery. They are the most precious and delicate dresses, made of the finest lace and silk, a fairy floss of fabric. They are the gowns with beads clinging to their fluted hems, pearls buttoning their fronts and sequins swirling over their skirts.

The first frock of the line-up was a white and lavender concoction from 1855. With its high neck, sloping shoulders and domed skirt it looked a physical impossibility. The bust was high, like a deep breath drawn and held, and the shoulders so drooping as to look dislocated; the waist was horribly small and the sleeves ballooned out to the wrist. A few frocks later and the silhouette is dramatically different, but just as ergonomically challenging. These are the gowns of the 1900’s –think Picnic at Hanging Rock or Anne of Green Gables – all sway backs and pigeon chests. These are the ones I love the most though, the ones made of fine white silks and cottons gathered, shirred, pintucked and embroidered in obsessive detail.

I took a turn past the riding habits and Princess Leia-style wedding gown to join the party with the cocktail frocks. I just love the nipped waists and candy colours of the 50’s and there were some delightful cocktail offerings from the likes of designer Hal Ludlow. One combo that really made me stop and think though, was an insane bolero/dress combo by Magg that begged explanation. Basically, a knee-length shift dress was covered in clumps of curled and tangled strings of salmon coloured silk; across the bust was an asymmetric scattering of pearls and diamantes. Hanging alongside it like guilty accomplice was the similarly shaggy bolero; a real double whammy.

To top the exhibition off there was a case filled to bursting with additional fripperies; a handbag like a golden shield with matching helmet hat, platforms studded all over with diamantes and gorgeous lavender gloves. There was a 1930’s jade green cloche that sat so low and close over the head I could just imagine the open-air automobile rides it had weathered. Opposite that was a resolutely ridiculous red hat made of ostrich feather from the 1950’s that must have alarmed many in its day. God I love fashion!

Detail of Hal Ludlow gown, 1954

Russell Place substation

For two incredible days Melbournians can push past security and discover the city’s secret places and spaces as part of the Melbourne Open House event. Visit private rooftop gardens, bunker down in underground substations and discover the secret laboratories you never knew existed. The event, now in its second year, showcases the buildings and architecture that makes Melbourne so darn fab. Some of the sites on offer are running guided tours, others let you roam free and take your time to settle in. The Open House is coordinated by a not-for-profit group that is all about getting people to explore and appreciate the city they live in. I just think it’s an awesome idea. Get amongst it!

Donkey Wheel House - REALLY!

Melbourne Open House runs 24th & 25th July 2010!

Warning: you will now be fined $550 on the spot for carrying a spray paint can.

Spotted in Little Charles St, Fitzroy.