Thursday 14 October 2010

William Bede Dalley, Sydney Statues: Project!

This bronze statue of William Bede Dalley, a politician and barrister, stands in Hyde Park. A number of the city's statues have been dressed up and decorated for the Sydney Statues: Project! as part of the Art & About Sydney festival which is running from 23 September to 24 October 2010. Several emerging and established artists, textile artists, fashion and costume designers have been involved to creatively enhance these historical statues. A photo of the statue at other times can be seen here.

15 comments:

  1. Well, Jim... don't quite know what to say about this idea of dressing up statues! Good capture, though!

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  2. I think I need to find a burrow to go down for the weeks of Spring. It has gone to the collective head!

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  3. Interesting idea, he looks splendid in his new clothes rather like the Emperor of old..

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  4. This is my least liked of the statues. If you're going to do it be flamboyant.

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  5. It's a pity, Bill Dlley was not dressed up. I think he would look good in a floral dress.

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  6. I think he looks so much better here. A little colour never hurt anyone, especially yellow, it says "Spring". I think it's a brilliant idea and until now didn't know about it!! How can I be so ill informed in my city!!! I kind of have an excuse as I've been up North for a couple of weeks... Will definitely go see this. P.S. I'm still trying to explain to my six year old that there are no dead people within statues... Pruxxx

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  7. I always admire Sydney for being colorful, energetic and art-supportive. But, I'm not sure I like this. Sure, they do stimulate a laugh here and there. But, it seems disrespectful to the subject of the statue and to its sculptor. Oh well, I guess thoughts like this just mark me as an old fuddy duddy.

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  8. Pru, I think it's hilarious how a kid's mind works sometimes.

    Jack, I think I'm quite open minded but I must admit I was a bit unsure about the decorations on these historic fugures. I suppose it's alright as a bit of fun just for one month. It actually brings them to the attention of many people who wouldn't usually notice them.

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  9. Is the dressing up a permanent thing? If not, how could you ever get used to seeing the statue bare?

    Happy travels!
    Adventures in Australia

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  10. Red Nomad OZ, they're only going to be dressed up for the month of the Art and About Sydney Festival. They will certainly look bare, when they go back to normal.

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  11. Ann, the green is the patina, which is the natural colour of bronze with age. Bronze is originally gold but the copper in the bronze reacts with air and moisture. Bronze statues can be given a man-made brown or black patinas by applying chemicals.

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