MPavilion 2020 to showcase emerging creatives in previous pavilions

every year since 2014, the naomi milgrom foundation has invited renowned architects to build a temporary landmark for the australian city of melbourne. however, in 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the MPavilion will not occupy the city’s queen victoria gardens. instead, the foundation has announced that it will focus on reconnecting communities with the six previous MPavilions, which were gifted to different organizations across melbourne.

MPavilion 2019, glenn murcutt, queen victoria gardens | read more here
image by rory gardiner | main image by john gollings

amanda levete of AL_A, whose MPavilion 2015 is now located at collins st docklands, comments: ‘in our lifetimes, there’s never been a more important moment to make the most of the resources we already have — especially architectural structures and spaces, so I’m delighted that my MPavilion 2015 will be part of this initiative.’ in addition to levete’s pavilion, MPavilion 2017 at monash university designed by OMA will be used; as well as the 2016 edition by bijoy jain at melbourne zoo; and MPavilion 2014 by sean godsell, now modified at melbourne’s hellenic museum.

MPavilion 2018, carme pinós, queen victoria gardens | read more here
image by simon terrill

at a time where artists and designers have been disadvantaged, displaced, and disconnected as a result of the pandemic, MPavilion is adapting its operation to be more accessible to more people. driven by this mission to aid creativity in the wider community, the naomi milgrom foundation is set to deliver an amplified new program across these locations from november 12, 2020 to march 21, 2021.

MPavilion 2017, rem koolhaas and david gianotten, monash university | read more here
image simon terrill

‘strengthening our creative communities is at the heart of the naomi milgrom foundation, so it has been natural for us to respond to the pandemic by creating more opportunities for designers and artists this year,’ says naomi milgrom, founder of the naomi milgrom foundation. ‘by being resourceful and re-using our permanent MPavilion locations, MPavilion will play a meaningful new role in helping to revitalize our neighborhoods with the work of artists and designers.’

MPavilion 2016, bijoy jain, melbourne zoo | read more here
image simon terrill

the new program seeks to boost local creativity through a series of commissions, including the MERGE music commissions, art installations, and graphic and fashion design commissions. through a call-out for expressions of interest that is bigger than any MPavilion has done before, artists and designers will be given funding of up to $5,000 AUD (approx. $3,500 USD) to support their projects.

MPavilion 2015, amanda levete, docklands | read more here
image by simon terrill

the 2020 MPavilion program will endeavor to stimulate audience and artistic engagement with a greater investment in artists, performers and collaborators. through a range of safe event formats, the program will supplement its physical expansion across the city by also being shared online. it has also announced that MPavilion 2019, designed by australia’s only pritzker laureate glenn murcutt, has been donated to the university of melbourne. the next MPavilion architect will be announced in march 2021 with further details on MPavilion 2020 and the expression of interest available on the official website.

MPavilion 2014, sean godsell, modified hellenic museum
image by simon terrill