I can only reach a certain level of excitement for Claude Monet and his painterly water lilies. Even a closing panorama of his inspirational garden didn’t lift me to a new emotional level. But ‘Monet’s Garden’ is, as has been the case with the recent run of touring NGV shows, an impeccably curated exhibition that did its subject matter justice. Impressionism enthusiasts would be better off finding a quieter time to enjoy the gallery space, but these end-of-week evenings are a surefire way to pull in a younger crowd and make excellent use of spaces such as the epic Great Hall.
The primary art that I had ventured here for was a new set from Sydney electronica act, Seekae. Void, from the three-piece’s 2008 debut The Sound of Trees Falling on People, got the biggest crowd response, though the defining moment of the show was its starting point. New single Another was one of several new tracks showcased tonight, an atmospheric shift into Collarbones/James Blake territory that bodes extremely well for their forthcoming album. Percussionist Alex Cameron has such a gorgeous voice, it makes you wonder why he has been hiding behind the drum-kit for so long. The first in a series of shows to mark this exciting new phase foe Seekae had a two-hour lead-up of stonking dance tunes from the World’s End Press DJs (now there’s another local album I can’t wait to get my hands on). For me, this Friday night was not about the Monet.
BY CHRIS GIRDLER
LIKED Seekae old and new
DISLIKED The line for drinks just prior to Seekae’s set. Should have seen that one coming.
DRANK Chardy
