THIS WEEK IN SYDNEY: MONKEY BUSINESS
by Robert Gibson, Sydney Morning Herald
Rumour has it that there is a tropical beach in Darling Harbour.
I discovered it at the new Baya Beach Club Restaurant. It is awesome! Never before have I seen something so different, dynamic and vibrant in a restaurant. It blew me away. As soon as you walk in BANG, it just hits you - the interior of this place is a beach! To top it off, there are these HUGE MONKEYS perched above you in palm tees, holding torches!
The eight Mischievous Monkeys were created by local sculptor, Masha Marjanovich. "The cartoon-like quality of the monkeys is intended to enhance the playful beach atmosphere in the restaurant," she said.
And it works. The lively interior design of the restaurant gives it a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere.
INTERVIEW: MASHA MARJANOVICH, SCULPTOR
by Dragan Bombek, Zena 21 Magazine
The world of art continuously sparks disputes and controversy, partly over the very definition of art itself. We spoke to sculptor Masha Marjanovich on this subject.
Q:What is art?
A:Although the experience of art is highly subjective, art is first and foremost a form of communication. It uses visual language that can be readily understood by its audience. A work of art transmits the artist’s ideas and experiences to the viewer.
ART WORLD IN UPROAR [excerpt]
by Stehanie Bedo, Gold Coast Bulletin
A recent exhibit at the Gold Coast Sculptor's Society is causing a furore in the Gold Coast arts community. It displays paintings rendered with a private body part instead of a brush. In response, sculptor Masha Marjanovich resigned from the Society, taking a firm stand on the role of fine art and artists in our culture.
"This is a cheap gimmick, not art. A work of art is supposed to be the product of skill, knowledge, and deep understanding of life. Good artwork enriches our lives, and draws us back to it repeatedly. Gimmickry will at best amuse us for a brief moment, but is always liminted by its banality," said Marjanovich.
As an artist she believes that art is a form of communication, and that artists are responsible for the message they convey to the public through their art. "It is not fair to confuse the public perception of art, and to deprive the audiences of their right to evaluate art based on how meaningful it is to them. The purpose of art is to enrich our experience of life, to broaden our mind and spirit."
Fellow sculptor Robert Matheson agrees with Masha's views: "Art is created to enrich human experience, to lift the aesthetic awareness of the audience who view your work, not to abase it."
STAR TREATMENT FOR NEW HOSPITAL
by Claire Low, Canberra Times
The sculpture 'Reaching for a Star' has been created as a tribute to Starlight Children's Foundation, which brings joy and hope to sick children. Australian sculptor Masha Marjanovich has created the 1.2m-high bronze work for the new Canberra Women and Children’s Hospital under a grant from the Starlight Children’s Foundation. The sculpture was presented to ACT Health Minister Kathy Gallagher at the Star Ball fundraising event.
Marjanovich said she designed the sculpture to reflect the Foundation logo. She added the figure of the mother to symbolise the care and help the Foundation provides to the children. “The child is reaching for a star, a symbol of hope for recovery. The sculpture is an ode to a new start in life for children.”
Companies that pledge their support to the Foundation will be given a star plaque on the sculpture base to honour their generosity.
Reaching for a Star is part of Marjanovich’s mother and child series, which includes sculptures at the North Shore Private Hospital in Sydney, Villareal Clinic in Los Angeles and Lancer Clinic in Beverly Hills. “Mother and child motif is one of the oldest and best loved in art history, because it relates the most beautiful human experience, unconditional love,” said Marjanovich.