Thursday 12 January 2012

STATE LIBRARY OF VICTORIA

The State Library of Victoria is the central library of the state of Victoria, located in the Melbourne CBD. It is on the block bounded by Swanston, La Trobe, Russell, and Little Lonsdale streets, in the northern centre of the central business district. The library holds over 2 million books and 16,000 serials, including the diaries of the city's founders, John Batman and John Pascoe Fawkner, and the folios of Captain James Cook. It also houses the original armour of Ned Kelly.


The first photo is a street sculpture named “Architectural Fragment” by Petrus Spronk, 1992, in front of the State Library. It is a popular work even though it is post-modern sculpture with neo-classical references and you can’t even sit on it (although there is wear on one edge from skateboard riders). “Architectural Fragment” is based on Spronk’s sand-sculpture works.


The library is not only magnificent architecturally, but it is a wonderful exhibition space, study space, relaxation space and refuge from the hustle and bustle of the City! I could quite happily live there!


This post is part of the Signs, Signs meme.


 “Architectural Fragment” by Petrus Spronk, 1992

Looking North towards LaTrobe St

Looking East

The entry foyer on the ground floor, with thehelpful staff at the information desk.

The main reading room under the Dome.

22 comments:

  1. A magnificent building, great photos and an interesting post. Thanks for sharing!

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  2. I do love libraries, too, and this one is magnificent!! Your captures are fantastic, Nick! I could spend days there and get totally lost! Thanks for the tour. Hope your week is going well!

    Sylvia

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  3. I like that main reading room under the doom, like spokes of a wheel.

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  4. Wow! Love that reading room!
    I also like that sculpture that you can't sit on. I will have to look up his other works.

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  5. The 'architectural fragment' is interesting, if a little odd.
    Skateboarders are a big problem for any public space, it seems.

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  6. Oh, and the library is gorgeous inside.

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  7. I love the sculpture and the library!

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  8. What a library! Very fancy. I can see why people like to go there.

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  9. a very impressive library! the facade is also imposing. it must smell wonderful, too, being surrounded by books.:p

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  10. Beautiful pictures, I love the first one.

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  11. That's definitely a unique street sculpture. I think I've lived in small towns for too long and need to get out more. LOL! As for the library, it's magnificent. At first glance, the exterior looks very similar to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Great images!

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  12. For me this place epitomizes Melbourne. Had coffee in mr Tulks cafe yesterday.

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  13. love the SLV

    didn't know Ned Kelly's armour is there...is it on display?

    have you seen "Fine Impressions" and "Mirrors of the World" exhibitions?
    the view from the Mirrors level down into the reading room is great

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  14. The 'fragment' is really unique. I like the design of the library.

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  15. The sculpture is brilliant and I love the vast interior of the library.

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  16. That's a state of the art library!

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  17. Amazing library, but the Architectural Fragment is amusing.

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  18. This has to be the most beautiful piece of architecture ever....and the inside is magnificent. How lucky you are to have such a gorgeous place to go to do research. Your captures are superb. genie

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  19. Very impressive! The main reading is so huge and you captured a great view to display its magnificence.

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  20. Beautiful architecture, an impressive reading room.

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