Major Australian arts project begins in Florence, gives new life to themes 
inspired by history's great works 

A major Australian arts project commences this week at the feet of 
Michelangelo's David as part of a global unveiling in Florence and the opening 
of an online ( 
http://www.firstcommissions.com.au/?utm_source=pr&utm_medium=various&utm_campaign=first_commissions) 
exhibition. 

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8571851-university-of-melbourne-first-commissions/ 


Entitled First Commissions, 100 emerging artists have re-examined timeless 
social themes through a contemporary lens to produce 30 works. They have 
reimagined some of history's most iconic artistic commissions - from Frida 
Kahlo's Self-Portrait with Monkeys to Tchaikovsky's The Sleeping Beauty. 

Responding to the theme of human physical perfection, five artists received 
arguably the most iconic commission, the inspiration for Michelangelo's David, 
a vision of human perfection carved from a mammoth slab of marbled stone. 

Launching this week at the Florence Fine Arts Academy, the exhibition is a 
stunning coming together of old and new, merging classical Renaissance 
architecture with hyper-contemporary works that unravel our understanding of 
physical perfection in the age of social media filters, automation and data. 

Five young Australian artists, including Melbourne visual artist Esther Stewart 
and Australian Indigenous artist Ashley Perry, have created works that examine 
how digital culture, human relationships and the built environment impact our 
current understanding of physical perfection.

The David commission has also been interpreted by artists working in other 
disciplines including choreographer and dancer Jack Riley, interactive composer 
Samuel Kreusler and classical composer Danna Yun. Despite their unique personal 
histories, perspectives and disciplines, the artists reveal a generation who 
collectively refuse to subscribe to the homogeny of perfection.

University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Duncan Maskell said the First 
Commissions project takes a fresh perspective on historical commissions to 
transform timeless social themes into contemporary art and different formats.

"The University of Melbourne believes art can challenge how people feel and see 
the world. As our world becomes increasingly automated, our creative artists 
and musicians have the ability to work together to solve problems and meet the 
challenges that we face in society. "

"A fine arts and music education is transformative, encourages confidence and a 
strong sense of self-belief. It gives students the courage to think 
independently and critically. It fosters collaboration and creative 
risk-taking, passion, determination and resilience," Professor Maskell said. 

The exhibition highlights the importance of global institutions of academic 
excellence such as the Galleria dell' Accademia; Accademia Di Belle Arti Di 
Firenze and the University of Melbourne to creatively challenge boundaries and 
create thought-provoking experiences that move others.

Galleria dell' Accademia Director Dr Cecilie Hollberg said: "I am very pleased 
that the Galleria dell'Accademia di Firenze has contributed to the realization 
of this project which, once again, makes us reflect on how the Renaissance 
masterpieces kept in our extraordinary museums are still a rich source of 
inspiration for young talents."

The entire First Commissions series reimagines the original commissions for 
David, The Titanic, Tchaikovsky's The Sleeping Beauty, Bob Dylan's Hurricane, 
Camille Claudel's Age of Maturity, Frida Kahlo's Self Portrait with Monkey's 
and Susan Hewitt & Penelope Lee's The Great Petition.

To explore the University of Melbourne's First Commissions exhibition in full, 
visit the online gallery here or via: www.firstcommissions.com.au. 

SOURCE: The University of Melbourne