Think of Canberra and visions of hot air balloons drifting over the lake on a crisp autumn morning come to mind.
It’s therefore no surprise that in our Centenary year a hot air balloon sculpture has been commissioned to celebrate Canberra’s love of, and reputation for, hot air ballooning. What might be a surprise however is the form that this commission has taken.
Centenary Creative Director Robyn Archer AO aim with this commission was to offer the highly visible canvas of a hot-air balloon to an Australian artist.
Enter internationally renowned artist Patricia Piccinini, who grew up in Canberra attending school, college and university here. Patricia says she grew up as a ‘real migrant kid’ in Canberra without privilege, and yet was exposed to a level of information and learning which has fuelled her spirit and her work.
“Patricia Piccinini is one of Australia’s most successful sculptors. Her work is seen in major collections in Australia, and a survey show broke all attendance records for the Tasmanian Museum and Gallery,” Robyn said
“To my delight Patricia was immediately responsive to the idea of her work in a new form, and insisted that it would not be a novelty but a continuation of her ouevre and its years of investigation into the way life has evolved.”
“This is exactly what the new work is, and we are so proud to have been able to find the resources to help this great artist make it happen. That Patricia was educated in Canberra also makes this a celebration of the fine talent that the national capital has and continues to produce.”
The Skywhale will be outside the National Gallery of Australia on Saturday at 8.30am, and on Monday it will make its first flight over Canberra.
Look out for The Skywhale over Canberra on Monday.
FACTS ABOUT THE SKYWHALE CENTENARY OF CANBERRA COMMISSION
The Skywhale balloon weighs about 500kg with fuel and people (pilot and two passengers) on board.
It is 22.7m tall.
The balloon is 34.4m long from nose to tail.
It took 1880 man and woman hours of work to make.
256 different colours make up the Skywhale.
The Skywhale used 3535 metres of fabric.
Approximately 3.3 million stitches hold the Skywhale together.
The Skywhale took seven months to design and build from start to finish.
Six people were needed to stitch the Skywhale together.
A team of 16 created the Skywhale
Canberra, more money than sense!
Canberra, more money than sense!
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Canberra, more money than sense!
Good Lord!
I'm not really sure what to make of it... the big dangly boobies are a bit weird.
I'm not really sure what to make of it... the big dangly boobies are a bit weird.
Re: Canberra, more money than sense!
Yeah it's more of a "flying tit monster"
Okay... There's all kinds of things wrong with what you just said.
Re: Canberra, more money than sense!
The only conclusion I can reach is that the person who was commissioned to design this has never actually seen a whale....
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oldr_n_wsr
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Re: Canberra, more money than sense!
Definately needs a boob job.
Re: Canberra, more money than sense!
$170,000. $170,000 $170,000 $170,000
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Canberra, more money than sense!
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Canberra, more money than sense!
If it wasn't for the tits it might have been worth it
Okay... There's all kinds of things wrong with what you just said.
Re: Canberra, more money than sense!
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Canberra, more money than sense!
Guess what? We found out the price was not going to be a measly $170,000 but a more reasonable $300,000.
It will only fly 100 times, most of these flights will not be in Canberra.
Glory be! And on the morning of its first "offical" flight over the city......
....it's raining for the first time in a month or more!
It will only fly 100 times, most of these flights will not be in Canberra.
Glory be! And on the morning of its first "offical" flight over the city......
....it's raining for the first time in a month or more!
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Canberra, more money than sense!
seriously what's with the tits?
Okay... There's all kinds of things wrong with what you just said.
Re: Canberra, more money than sense!
Hanging from its giant whale-like body are ten huge pendulous breasts.
Ms Piccinini says they reflect how whales are mammals and breast-feed their young.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Canberra, more money than sense!
no they reflect an unnatural obsession with tits
Okay... There's all kinds of things wrong with what you just said.
Re: Canberra, more money than sense!
Some are suggesting they represent Canberra sucking off the nations teats.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Canberra, more money than sense!
seriously there is a difference between showing an aspect of the piece and making it a central theme.
Perhaps if she said it was an Homage to Woody Allen...
Perhaps if she said it was an Homage to Woody Allen...
Okay... There's all kinds of things wrong with what you just said.