Have you ever wondered why there are so many public art installations in Brisbane?
That was the first question I had while walking in the downtown. Statues stand on the ground and some art even float in the sky in a form of wire. Or sometimes it’s hanging from the ceiling of a building, or covering a sky rise like a jacket. Art is in Brisbane’s day to day life. How exquisite is this?
The Art Built-in policy came into effect in July 1999. The basis of the Art Built-in program was allocated funding of 2% for public art within all Queensland State Government capital works building budgets over A$250,000. The Government required that this 2% should be allocated to integrated art and design. Thanks to the Art Built-in policy, Brisbane became one of the most interesting city for public arts with its variety of ideas.
Not just because of the public art, but for some unexplainable reason I felt home in Brisbane instantly. Maybe because of the freshness after spending several months in a small city in Borneo. Maybe because I enjoyed the cool autumn temperature. Or because of the river and laid-back and active lifestyle of locals. Whatever the reason was, I knew I would come back here sometime soon.
I started exploring Brisbane by visiting the Koalas at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. What a perfect introduction. I was jetlaged and tired from a red eye flight, but koala can cure everything. A true story. For next two days, I explored major sites of the city, including climbing up to the top of Story Bridge. It was a very liberating experience. One afternoon, I walked around the town with a nice people of Brisbane Greeters. It’s a free service open to everyone – locals, students, or visitors. Brisbane Greeters are locals who love living in Brisbane so much that they are enthusiastic about introducing you to their city, and sharing their intimate knowledge. If you see people wearing bright red t-shirt and hat, you know they are the Greeters. I spent an afternoon with a lovely lady named Vivian, and she showed me some of the most amazing places in Brisbane, including museums. We both were lovers of museums and aboriginal arts.
It was a short two-day visit, but Brisbane easily became one of my favorite cities. I think you will love it too. Here are some photos from my time in this exquisite city.
“What’s up?”
Kangaroo feeding is one of the most popular activities in Koala Sanctuary
A male koala
Koala!
Walking on the Brisbane Story Bridge
Walking on the Brisbane Story Bridge
Walking on the Brisbane Story Bridge
Inside of the Gallery of Modern Art
Walking on the Brisbane Story Bridge
Walking on the Brisbane Story Bridge
Michael Parekowhai’s sculpture The World Turns outside The Gallery of Modern Art
Falling From Above – Husk, Kernel and Returning by the artist Stuart Green
One of my favorites – Once Again, Lincoln Austin explores the processes we follow consciously and subconsciously when we examine objects, from our first encounter to our subsequent encounters and analysis
The South Bank Grand Arbour, a kilometre long arbor located in the South Bank Parklands.
Confluence, is of a scale and drama befitting this important civic building
Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art
The Wheel of Brisbane
Nepal Peace Pagoda
The Virtual Reef at the Cube – provides an immersive, simulated underwater experience that invites users to engage and learn about the Great Barrier Reef’s unique ecosystem
Daejeon and Brisbane Friendship Stone
Colorful parrot mosaic on the South Bank
Even traffic box dressed up in Brisbane
The public square arc wall installation was created by Yayoi Kusama. The disembodied eye featured in Eyes are Singing Out is a symbol that appears in many cultures throughout time and is seen, for example, in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics. It is suggestive not only of a watchful public but also omnipotence, enlightenment and inspiration.
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