INFO POST - MEDIA RELEASE 22 NOV 2023

A giant inflatable sphere – which literally breathes throughout the day – is the NGV’s 2023 Architecture Commission. Making the invisible visible, (This is) Air, developed by Nic Brunsdon in collaboration with ENESS, draws attention to one of the universal and defining features of life on Earth: breathing air.

NGV Architecture Commission 2023: (This is) Air by Nic Brunsdon — Installation view of the 2023 NGVArchitecture Commission: (This Is) Airdesigned by architect Nic Brunsdon incollaboration with ENESS. (This Is) Airison display from 23 November 2023 until June 2024 at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Tim Carrafa

Utilising air as a building material, the commission morphs and changes throughout the day as it expands and then releases air in a natural rhythm. A poignant study of air and time, the fully inflated spherical structure stands over 14 metres tall, evoking a sense of uplifting optimism.

Throughout the day, the structure ‘exhales’, releasing gusts of air and forming an array of cloud-like configurations, before filling to capacity once more.

Installation view of the 2023 NGV Architecture Commission: (This Is) Airdesigned by architect Nic Brunsdon incollaboration with ENESS. ymer(This Is) Airison display from 23 November 2023 until June 2024 at NGV International, Melbourne. Photo: Ben Hosking

The structure invites audiences to consider humanity’s relationship to this essential and yet invisible element. By making air seen, heard and felt, the work highlights our connection to and dependency on air – a finite resource whose quality is becoming increasingly affected.

This year’s Architecture Commission forms part of the 2023 NGV Triennial exhibition, which brings contemporary art, design and architecture into dialogue, offering a visually arresting and thought-provoking view of the world today. Three key thematic pillars of Magic, Matter and Memory anchor the NGV Triennial, with Brunsdon’s architectural concept responding to the thematic pillar of Matter. This theme seeks to draw together nature, material and making, reminding audiences of the interconnected frameworks of biology, geology and physics while highlighting their relationship to and reliance on natural systems.

Throughout the summer months, (This is) Air is the location for a myriad of public programs, performances and more in the NGV Garden.

The Hon. Colin Brooks, Minister for Creative Industries, said: ‘This magnificent public artwork will, quite literally, breathe life and creativity into the NGV Garden and will delight and inspire people of all ages. The Allan Labor Government is proud to support this work alongside the incredible NGV Triennial, which is set to attract thousands of visitors to the gallery and Melbourne over the summer. This exhibition will be packed with awe-inspiring art and design and will be free for everyone to enjoy.’

Nic Brunsdon (portrait below) is recognised as one of Australia’s leading architects. In 2015 Nic won the Australian Institute of Architects Emerging Architect Award, first for Western Australia and then nationally.

He is a past nominee for the 40 under 40 young business leaders award, a nominated thought leader for the City of Perth, the 2015 recipient of the Dulux International Study Tour for Emerging Architects, the 2017/18 recipient of the Gil Nicol Biennial International Study Bursary, and a founding Board Member of Activate Perth. He is the current Chair of the Perth Centre for Photography which is one of Australia's leading arts organisations. He is also the Director of the urban program Spacemarket, which pairs disused spaces with useful people, and has worked on policy formation and development at all three levels of government.

The NGV Architecture Commission 2023: (This is) Air is on display as part of the NGV Triennial 2023 from 23 November 2023 – June 2024 at NGV International, St Kilda Road, Melbourne. Free entry. For further information, please visit the NGV website: NGV.MELBOURNE

NGV Architecture Commission 2023: (This is) Air by Nic Brunsdon

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