C3 Fund Raiser: Faux Museum

Posted by Natalie Thomas on November 29, 2014 in Australian Art, Melbourne Art | Leave a comment

As we enter the silly season of conspicuous consumption, shoppers flooded the crisp C3 exhibition space at Abbotsford Convent and went absolutely ballistic, stuffing their stockings to overflowing with original artworks at bargain prices. This Christmas, show your loved ones you’ve forgiven them with a gift of art and don’t forget that for a price, you can buy some culture that (if thoughtfully chosen) will yield higher dividends than your Industry Managed Super Fund. Original art, art on a tea towel, art on a plate, a ceramic vase, a limited edition print by Charlie Sofo or Meredith Turnbull. Even a boring old painting will do nicely for the Secret Santa at your day job.

C3 at Abbotsford Convent have conceived a Faux Museum in an Artist run Space: an institution within another kind of institution. Curated by Anusha Kenny, Melissa Loughnan, Kate Tucker and Ace Wagstaff, the Inaugural Fundraiser has everything a real museum has. There’s a gift shop, the salon (or ‘collection’) a handsomely hung group show, a kids education space, and a café, to sit and relax and take some ‘me’ time. Or updating your social status: Just finished my Christmas shopping! You’re all going to be very happy! Now I’m having some sacred me-time, which I’ll update you about in 20 mins. All proceeds from Faux Museum will directly support artists by lowering C3 exhibition fees for 2015.

The one quality that unites the art scene more than any other is poverty. Real creatives are totally skint: the real Museums, the member galleries of CAOs, the artist run initiatives and individual artists, through the whole spectrum of institutions. Nobody’s got enough cash to do what they want. Thank heavens then for the generosity of artists who, year in year out, donate works to raise cash to create culture. Artists get a 50/50 split with the C3 gallery, so they make money too. It really is Christmas.

A special Merry Christmas to all Abbotsford Convent Coalition volunteers, who (almost unbelievably) undid a deal between then Premier Jeff Kennett and developers to build schmicko apartments on the Abbotsford Convent site. Instead, they created an inner city, tree lined, arts precinct that makes you feel like you’re in the country without the carbon miles. Now that’s Christmassy.

Faux Museum runs until 14^th December 2014

c3@abbotsfordconvent.com.au