Authentic Aboriginal Art

Art As an Allegorical Figure

Mankind has always been attracted to beauty. At no time through the long passage of history has humanity not been expressed through art. In every corner of the world, in every society, known as civilized or uncivilized, art, as an expression of that society, has flowered. We can still look with admiration at great, early Egyptian art and at the unsurpassed sculpture and architecture of classical Greece.

In Australia, anthropologists recently discovered, a long gallery of aboriginal art beneath a shaded rock shelf with depictions of the hunt, men and women and native animals. The question was how old was this undiscovered art gallery? All was revealed when one scientist noticed a now, stone like wasp's nest covering a section of art work. The once sandy, but now rock hard wasp nest was gently removed in total darkness, so as not to let light enter the covered section.

A tiny sample of the hidden area was removed and sent for carbon dating - the answer came back, the gallery was 60,000 years old. 60,000 years ago, men and women were decorating their environment! Art, in it's vast range of expressions, has always appeared at the apex of human achievement. It raises humanity, it does not destroy, it uplifts, it does not darken, its music nourishes the soul of humanity, it does not deplete, it unites mankind, it does not separate.

Art, in every form, flourishes today, more than at any other time in history. In the past, art was exclusive; today it is inclusive and is available to anyone who decides to be involved. One of art's greatest gifts is its capacity and ability to constantly give. Its resources are infinite. It holds in trust, thousands of years of the greatest artistic talent and freely offers it to all without reserve.

Just like music, with its cornerstones, like J.S Bach, who, we are told by musicologists, is the founding father of all Western music, even the most contemporary owes is origins to Bach. Bach's great music still gives and gives, even when the recipient never realizes that he is the recipient of the gift.

The history of art, in all its forms does exactly the same thing. Great pictures not only inspire an artist, but they continue to teach and instruct with lessons in composition, perspective and balance.

Every century has had and will continue to have, its "style of the day" and art, like every thing else, is voguish, with its periods of fashion, e.g., rococo, classic, neo classic, cubist, impressionist and revivalist, all available and always ready to bestow. These periods are usually seen as the birth of new ideas and as with the birth of a child, the infant, or new idea, grows and develops, until it in turn, is overtaken by a fresh, new idea. Art, therefore is a living, breathing form, constantly reborn in all its many facets

We may not always understand the art of our day, but it is well worth remembering that many of the great names, now revered as masters, were not accepted as such in their day, but were criticized, rejected and certainly unaccepted as artists in their time. The great Dutch painter, Van Gogh, sold exactly one picture, in his lifetime!

If we can imagine "art" as an allegorical figure, a curator of the world's storehouse of music, pictures, literature, sculpture etc, we would need many more than one life time to see all she has to show us! Art constantly sets new challenges for all our five senses so let us follow our allegorical guide and welcome her vast wealth.

Melbourne Tourist Attractions - Melbourne Museum

A Melbourne tourist attraction you do not want to miss is the Melbourne museum. Visiting the Melbourne Museum is more than going to a museum. The museum is different from the other museums most of the cities of the world typically have. The unusual structure combined with some other wonderful galleries and exhibition centres has made the museum a must-visit place in Melbourne. Read the article below to learn more about the Melbourne Museum.

Melbourne Museum: A Large Museum

The Melbourne Museum, which is located in the Carlton Gardens in Melbourne, is the largest museum in the Southern Hemisphere. The museum has been growing since its inception in 1854. There are theatres, food, tours, 3D documentary films, exhibitions about immigration, animals, Melbourne history, and much more in the museum and you may not be able to experience all the things in one day. In fact, the curators of the museum have created a city of history and science under one roof.

Melbourne Museum: A Different Museum

When you go to the museum the first thing you will notice that it is not just any old museum. The word museum usually makes you think of something old, something from the past. When you go to the museum, you may also expect the brick and mortar structures that will put you in the mood for a walk into the past. But the Melbourne Museum, which consists of a modern barrage of glass and color, will immediately bring a smile to your faces.

The internal atmosphere of the museum is one of elegance but warmth, surrounded by culture and science. There is also a historical touch here and there. You can feel a touch of history when you see the Beaux-Arts Royal Exhibition Building, put up in 1880, that stares at you through the glass windows.

Melbourne Museum: For Children Too!

One of the main attractions of the museum is the children's gallery. Visit the museum with children, and they will love you for it. I have been there now with my daughter on a few occasions and she just loves it. When you go, your kids will be thrilled to go to the Children's Gallery where they will be able to spot the giant tilted Rubik's Cube, enjoy hands-on activities, do archaeological digs, do dinosaur dress ups and enjoy displays that are eye level for kids! The gallery is a great playground of learning activities. "Play and learn" is a phrase that comes to mind here.

Melbourne Museum: Aboriginal Cultural Centre

You can also visit the Aboriginal Cultural Centre, another attraction of the museum. In the Aboriginal Cultural Centre you find Aboriginal art. Some of the pieces of art, the typical dot paintings etc are just incredible! There is also an outdoor garden of native plants, most probably used for medicinal and health purposes long before medicine was available, which tries to honour the Aboriginal outdoor way of life.

Melbourne Museum: The Evolution Gallery

The Evolution Gallery is another exciting gallery of the Melbourne Museum. The Gallery includes a skeleton of a giant wombat and the giant meat-eating dinosaur, Tyrannosauidae. You will also get to know most of the scientific names of the prehistoric animals. In the Melbourne Gallery, a big Pygmy Blue Whale will capture your attention in addition to the history of Melbourne since the early 1800s.

Melbourne Museum: The Science and Life Gallery

In the museum, the science and life gallery is also worth paying a visit. Here you will see the Bigs Alive! Exhibition. There is also Marine Life and so many interesting facts in the Virtual Room. The Forest Gallery is beautiful with birds and reptiles, set in a Victorian forest era.

Other galleries include Mind and Body Gallery, The Bunjilaka, Te Pasifika Gallery etc. The Bunjilaka exhibits the Indigenous Australians and the Te Pasifika Gallery exhibits several specific exhibitions.