I published a post about Hazara refugees featured in photos at the State Library. I was actually there to see a much more fun exhibition, the photos taken by the marvellous photographer Rennie Ellis, 1940-2003 . If he ever took a photo without a human in the photo, I've not seen it.
My expectations were low. What would the exhibition be like? Enlarged photos pinned to a wall? Oh no, it was so much more, with photos projected or on screens in a large size. It was just brilliant and well done to the curators.
I took lots of photos and I will remark on those who I knew of in the photos.
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There were quite a number of photos from more than one Melbourne Cup, a horse race, and a public holiday for Melburnians.
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Lillian Frank again. She lived her last years around half a kilometre from us.
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Our Local Bearded Media Resident and now former politician with his then wife and the very popular singer, Johnny Farnham.
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Rennie got close to many famous performers. Sadly Tina Turner is history.
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Protests for women's rights.
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Anti nuclear protests.
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Those immersive exhibitions are amazing aren't they? That looks like a heap of fun - with lots to see in every photo.
ReplyDeleteEC, oh yes, they are. It didn't beat the David Bowie exhibition we saw a few years ago, but it was good.
DeleteEach photo tells a story. I like that they have been displayed in an enlarged size.
ReplyDeleteFun60, there was a large slide show screen and I sat entranced.
DeleteI love the idea of those people caught in a moment in time from years past.
ReplyDeleteBob, he also used to photograph street scenes including very ordinary people.
DeleteThose were the days! My mother, a journalist in a weekly newspaper, knew Lilian Frank very well and so I saw her often. Mum knew Mirka Mora less well , but wrote up her professional successes whenever the opportunity arose.
ReplyDeleteHels, our late friend who I referred to as Dame (of St Kilda Hill) knew Lilian too. Lilian used to 'do' her hair. I wonder if Gwen McKenzie ever met your late mother. In spite of her name, I always had the feeling Gwen was Jewish. She certainly mixed in Jewish social circles.
DeleteStreet photos tell the stories of times. One of the reasons I am fascinated by it
ReplyDeleteRoentare, I think street photography really has to have context. Rennie Ellis also took photos of ordinary people but the background of where they were was also in strong focus. This photo is clearly posed but it speaks volumes, https://www.instagram.com/rennieellisphotographicarchive/p/C2wRmAOL7mr/?img_index=1
DeleteVery cool.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pixie.
DeleteHe was a powerful photographer, and died way too young. He did one person protests about Melbourne pollution, I believe, riding a penny farthing. An interesting man. Thanks so much for this coverage.
ReplyDeleteOk Boud. I wasn't aware of what you have mentioned. Further respect to him, then.
DeleteMick Jagger may be skinny, but he still has the energy and moves to do his performances. I wouldn't mind photographing gay events, the costumes and colours would be worth the time and trouble.
ReplyDeleteJagger does, River. He is amazingly fit. I did once photograph a gay event, dinner with performers and lots of drag. I think it was just before digital cameras. I just went up to strangers and told them how terrific they looked and would they be ok with me taking a photo. It wasn't just of drag queens, ordinary people too, like a gay boy with his mother at a table. I had forgotten about this and I need to find the photos and publish them at an appropriate site.
DeleteThis is history - snapshots of dress, fashion, history - irreplaceable.
ReplyDeleteJB, so wonderful that it was captured. There must be gems of photos taken now that tell the history of now, but how to find them among thousands of photos people take now.
DeleteIsn't that good someone captured decent photos of our history.
ReplyDeleteI recognize several in the photos.
Margaret, yes. You take a photo of a precise time in history, and where that photo was taken will change. Writing is great history too, but a very inaccurate history.
DeletePhotos with humans in them have definitely more life.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Pradeep, and it was good to see people in your last blog post.
DeleteMost of my photos avoid people. This is a great collection, it shows history and culture.
ReplyDeleteTP, generally mine do too.
DeleteFascinating photos, most of the time I prefer a photo exhibition over a Paintings one.......
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
Alison, I agree with you. I've always liked photos.
DeleteA lot of history in those photos Andrew. I was curious about the anti Portugal photos, it must have been around the time the Portuguese colonies in Southern Africa or maybe even East Timor were asking for their independence.
ReplyDeleteSami, I don't remember agitation about East Timor's independence, but I have something in the back of my mind about Africa.
DeleteIt looks like a wonderful exhibit. I bet you spent a lot of time there, Andrew.
ReplyDeletePat, I did, longer than I thought I would, much longer.
DeleteAwesome! I'm reminded of the time we visited the Andy Warhol museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania here in the United States. There was an interesting video display, fascinating family history, and some interactive exhibits along with the amazing art. One floor was closed for renovations but our relatives moved out of that state so we're not likely to return. ~sigh~ Be well!
ReplyDeleteDarla, that would have been a good museum to see. It is a wonder that there hasn't been, well here, a travelling exhibition about Warhol.
DeleteAgreed. Best wishes!
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