As we prepare ourselves for steadily decreasing temperatures here in the US, those in Australia are headed for the beach! It makes sense, since the northern hemisphere’s winter is the southern hemisphere’s summer. During the first three weeks of November, Sydney, Australia holds its annual Sculpture by the Sea art exhibit across the coastal walk from Bondi to Tamarama Beach. The public presentations that cover 2 km (1.3 miles) of the coast represent the world’s largest annual free-to-the-public outdoor art exhibit with over 100 artists’ contributions.
The sculptures that are scattered throughout the public space offer a variety of perspectives and aesthetics to the area. There are several abstract pieces but my personal favorites are the objects and animals that seem most out-of-place. Enlarged, misplaced items like a faucet add a quirkiness that screams funny photo-op. Other favorites include animals made of unusual materials that beg to be touched.
The not-for-profit organization that has run this event for the past fifteen years was founded by David Handley. Since its inception, the large public sculpture exhibition has inspired two other locations to maintain an annual event as well – Cottesloe Beach in Perth, Australia and in Aarhus, Denmark. If you are in Sydney, the temporary sculpture park is currently on exhibit and open to the public until November 20, 2011.
Above: “Who Left The Tap On” by Simon McGrath
“Do Not…” by Gary Deirmendjian
“Provenance (a gift frame)” by Jane Gillings
“The Predators in the Park” by Belinda Villani
“Simple Black & White” by Alan and Julie Aston
“Message in a Bottle” by Steven Thomson and Jonas Allen
“The Midget Attacks” by Corey Thomas
“I have been dreaming to be a tree… II” by Byeong Doo Moon
