The NGV ‘Temple of Boom’ was an evocative reimagining of The Parthenon on the Acropolis in Athens. Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang’s Architecture Commission for 2022, was a work of site-specific, ephemeral architecture for the NGV Garden.
A global architectural icon, The Parthenon, an Ancient Greek temple, is an apex symbol of Western civilisation, democracy and perfection. Temple of Boom celebrates these interpretations, while simultaneously expanding our understanding of the iconic Parthenon building and the enduring beauty it emanates.
The likeness of The Parthenon will be painted with overlapping large-scale artworks, curated by Just Another Agency by a diverse range of Melbourne-based artists, including David Lee Pereira, Drez, Manda Lane, Aretha Brown, Chuck Mayfield, Creature Creature, Resio and more to imbue the ancient monument with further layers of meaning and drawing inspiration from the vibrant colours and artistic embellishments that defined the original building over two-thousand years ago.
Inviting audiences to reflect on the conversations that are enabled when this ancient building is viewed in new and surprising contexts. In particular, the projects ask us to consider the effect of time on all architecture. Temple of Boom reflects the slow yet unstoppable processes of change that transform all cultural, geological and ecological systems. The geological forces that shape the world, layers that accumulate as cities grow over generations, the rise and fall of monuments set against a backdrop of social, political and cultural change.Taking its name from the vibrations of music, Temple of Boom was envisioned as a meeting place for the community and an outdoor venue for a diverse program of NGV-curated performances, programs and live music across the summer.
Reviews were overwhelmingly positive, seen in NGV’s visitor satisfaction surveys throughout the exhibition period. Opinion articles reviewing Temple of Boom ranged from comments about the accessibility and the cultural inclusivity, to praise for its family friendly nature and overall aesthetic. Many visitors expressed emotional responses to the installation; the bright colours and large scale sparking feelings of joy, wonder, and excitement. The artwork imbued visitors with a sense of pride; in their heritage, their culture, and in this work particularly as a symbol of the creative spirit that is intrinsic to street art and iconic to Melbourne.
Within the street art and graffiti community, feedback was very encouraging, with emerging and established artists seeing the installation as a symbol for opportunity, growth of their practice, and new avenues to advance their career and network. Although the shift of urban art from street to gallery is relatively new and raises questions for some, audiences seemed to agree that the temporary nature of this exhibition, combined with the raw materiality of the surface, maintained an integrity to their work that allowed it to speak volumes. Toby Benador’s curation and creative direction was paramount in refining this sense of authenticity throughout the process.
The general demographic to visit Temple of Boom was aged 20-75, and of the Victorian residents who visited, 15% were from regional areas, whilst 85% were from metropolitan Melbourne. For this installation, NGV noted an increased attendance from the Greek community in particular – with many expressing a specific interest in the contemporary reinterpretation of a classic architectural icon. Geotagged photographs from Temple of Boom show the NGV ranked as the 4th highest tourist attraction in Australia at the time. This means that of the 90 million tourists to Victoria in 2023, roughly 27 million people attended Temple of Boom.
Builder – Savio Projects Project manager – Assembly Interiors Structural Engineers – TGA Engineers Building Surveyors – Surveyed by Nicolas Manufacturer – AUGRC Timber Supplier – Ceres Fair Wood
Installation view of the 2022 NGV Architecture Commission: Temple of Boom designed by Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang on display at NGV International, Melbourne from 22 November 2022 – August 2023. Photo: Sean Fennessy
Aerial view of the 2022 NGV Architecture Commission: Temple of Boom designed by Adam Newman and Kelvin Tsang on display at NGV International, Melbourne from 22 November 2022 – August 2023. Photo: NGV
