30 November 2020 to 16 April 2021
This majestic building and surrounding spaces have hosted an extraordinary array of people and events since opening in August 1870. The Town Hall remains vital in shaping the city’s collective psyche – just as town halls around the world are centres for their own evolving cultures.
Through the building’s corridors, glorious auditorium, council chambers and main frontages on Swanston and Collins streets, it as been the seat of governance, hot political debate and cultural activity.
With newly commissioned artwork by Patrick Pound, plus archival film, photographs and ephemera from the City of Melbourne’s vast collection, the exhibition encompasses everything from the Queen and the Beatles to Aboriginal histories, war protests, parades and lavish festivities.
In addition to the Patrick Pound visual art commission, a major music commission using the Town Hall Organ has also been undertaken for the exhibition. More details to follow.
You are cordially invited to enter this realm. For that is the Town Hall’s primary objective – as a welcoming place for the people.
Curated by Andrew Stephens
Andrew Stephens is a writer, editor and curator. He writes about the visual arts for Art Monthly, Art Guide and The Age and edits Imprint magazine for the Print Council of Australia.