woven mesh labyrinth divides national gallery of victoria garden into ethereal 'rooms'

coinciding with the national gallery of victoria triennial — an event which has seen ron mueck stack 100 sculpted skulls and team lab transform a room into ocean vortices — a commissioned architectural installation has taken shape in the institution’s gardens. retallack thompson and other architects have turned the NGV’s outdoor areas into a spatial sequence of light-filled, maze-like labyrinths, hallways and rooms. ‘garden wall’ comprises 119 white walls clad in a transparent woven mesh that shift from translucent to opaque depending on the time of day or vantage point.

the architecture commission is presented to coincide with the national gallery of victoria triennial
all images by john gollings

retallack thompson and other architects designed ‘garden wall’ to challenge the mythology of the open australian landscape, dividing it into a navigable space. each room is configured to frame different aspects of the surrounding environment, first hiding, then gradually revealing highlights of the NGV garden. encounters with sculpture, furniture, and trees are enhanced and elaborated on as visitors make their way through the labyrinth. 

retallack thompson and other architects have turned the NGV’s outdoor areas into a spatial sequence

conceptually, the installation investigates barriers fond within the contemporary urban landscape, drawing from western australia’s rabbit-proof fence and generic suburban fencing that separates neighbors. ‘garden wall’ seeks to invite audiences to contemplate the symbolism of borders as architectural elements. the 2017 NGV architecture commission coincides with the NGV triennial running from now through april 15, 2018.

the garden is divided into light-filled, maze-like labyrinths, hallways and rooms

‘garden wall’ comprises 119 white walls

the dividers are clad in a transparent woven mesh

the material shifts from translucent to opaque depending on the time of day or vantage point

conceptually, the installation investigates barriers fond within the contemporary urban landscape

‘garden wall’ seeks to invite audiences to contemplate the symbolism of borders