Natalie Cain

How might the design of the NGV Contemporary explore the exchange between art, architecture, humans, and the environment, and how can this influence a visitor’s experience in the gallery?

In his essay “The Overexposed City”, Virilio describes how ‘each surface is an interface between two environments that is ruled by constant activity in the form of exchange.’ As designers, we must recognise and question our role in developing this architectural dialogue and consider how this relationship affects the human experience. The NGV Contemporary is situated within the centre of an arts precinct, surrounded by an array of stylised and striking forms which collide and compete for the attention of the viewer. Most importantly, Roy Grounds’ NGV International sits adjacent to the site, bold and austere in form and materiality. This notion of exchange has formed the basis of my design, as I attempt to provide a softness and translucency to the landscape whilst leaving a trace of Grounds’s design. Swathed in smooth, white materials, the exterior façade absorbs rather than reflects, and contrasts with the solidness of the existing NGV building.

Indeed, this exchange remains integral within this contemporary gallery, where the translucent mesh dominates the space, framing a void that creates a connection between floors. Drawing on Bauldrillard’s theory of hyperreality, this translucency removes the clear distinction between spaces and people within the gallery. Our experience of viewing art blends with our observations of others viewing art. If contemporary art is designed to encourage discussion and debate in this divided world, this gallery intends to blur the physical and social boundaries that divide visitors and encourage a mutual awareness and understanding of others.

_References

_{Kellner, Douglas, "Jean Baudrillard", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Winter 2020 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), forthcoming URL = <https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2020/entries/baudrillard/>.}

_{National Gallery of Victoria (Former). (2020). Repository Document.}

_{Virilio, P. (2002). The Overexposed City. The Blackwell City Reader.}