The Doorway To True Culture

The Soul of Melbourne's Arts Community Is Here

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

This is the main entrance to the Arts Centre on St Kilda Road, here in Melbourne. If you're a regular visitor to my blog, you would have seen a few representations of the wonderful spire above this building.

These shots were taken at first light last week. I just happened to be walking past when the rich colours and reflections of the interior caught my eye. The first shot shows the main doors and the foyer, while the image below is a close-up shot through the windows, of the beautiful interior.


For earlier posts in this series, check out The Doors Archive.

Summer Daze

The Brighter The Sun, The Stronger The Shadow

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Today is the first day of summer and as any photographer will tell you, this is the time of year when the shadows are strongest and longest. I thought I'd post these shots taken along St Kilda Road, in front of the Arts Centre. The metallic white arches are always intriguing, but I also framed the shot (above) to include the shadows cast on the footpath. I thought I had done a good job - until I walked back a couple of metres. That's when I took the second photograph (below) and I'm sure you'll agree that it's a far more striking image.

Baby Torque

Boston Tea Party Is Child's Play

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON

Did I catch your attention with the picture above? The "babies" were all part of a recent Melbourne presentation from The Arts Centre and Experimenta Playground, down at Southbank. They were in big coloured teacups that moved by rotating slowly, with enough momentum to thrill but not swift enough to cause any torque.

It was a free exhibition that lasted four weeks and those who enjoyed the interactive artwork, video installations and short films could donate a gold coin if they wanted to. The teacups were large enough to hold several children and adults and this one (above) caught my attention because it was front-on and the shadow on the concrete was strong in the sunlight and in perfect symmetry on the concrete.

This shot (above) is probably a good depiction of the scene as well, because it shows three teacups in different colours. It was taken about an hour after the other two pictures - and I was just lucky that this trio were in almost-perfect formation.

Blind Guess

Here's An Unusual View Of The Arts Centre

Photograph copyright: DAVID McMAHON

The soaring spire of the Arts Centre is a sight I've photographed many times. But here I was, on the fifth floor of a city building - looking directly at the distinctive base of the spire. Kath Burton saw me taking this picture and asked me if I was photographing a dusty window. After I explained what I was doing, she shared a laugh with me. It's not every day you get to photograph a Melbourne symbol through a set of window blinds!
PS: Regular readers know this already, but I have to emphasise this for first-time visitors - I did not use a filter for this shot, nor did I enhance the image in any way. That ain't my style.