Visual Exploration of Shapes and Spaces in Australia

Feb 25

I spent two weeks alone traveling through Melbourne, Sydney and Fiji. Below is a collection of photos taken mostly with my 35mm lens film camera exploring different spaces and activities I found most interesting on my visit.

Melbourne

I was pleasantly surprised by the green spaces and athletic but edgy feel of the city. I was lucky to be staying in the south end of CBD (central business district) with close access to the Yarra River and the Royal Botanical Gardens. Each morning I would wake up and go for a run along the river and garden and while out I would see the rowers on the river training. This painted a vibrant picture of a city encouraging an active lifestyle.

The Australian Open helped foster a vibrant atmosphere and contribute to the city’s active and sports-loving allure.

Match- Sabalenka vs Zheng

Grand Hyatt Melbourne rooftop tennis court

Along with gardens high and low there were huge mature trees along the city streets that created intimate spaces. It made the city feel a little smaller than it actually was. I was really interested in the green spaces around the city and how they tied in with the busy fast pace life and the more modern museums and gathering public spaces. There seemed to be a park in every direction I walked.

The Ira Potter Centre

National Gallery of Victoria

State Library Victoria

David Shrigley’s Melbourne Tennis Ball Exchange - NGV

Mixed work at NGV

The State Library Victoria was a highlight of the trip that I had not even planned to visit. The resources and exhibits they had were incredible. Below was one of my favorites from 1605.

At all times of the day there were people gathered in the public spaces whether that was the Federation Square which was a more contemporary public space or the Royal gardens and park. It seemed to be a city that like to be outside and socialize with one another which I found to be very connecting.

It was a walkers paradise with small rolling hills but easy walks and great public transportation for free within the CBD.

Royal Botanical Gardens Victoria

Royal Botanical Gardens next to CBD

View of the city from the Rowing Club

Sydney

View from the hotel room looking out on Darling Harbor

The Sydney Opera House

In my perspective, Sydney had a lot of vast open spaces of hardscape that didn’t really seem people friendly. There was of course people walking about but seemed more harsh than the green spaces that help soften up the city.

I did really enjoy playing will different shapes and spaces in Sydney because of all of the hardscape though. There were a lot of different use of geometry throughout the city.

Large shade covering in the business district

A lot of the historic buildings were built out of sandstone that was excavated in Sydney which was really cool but as you can see the more modern buildings very much played with different shapes.