Bendigo Art Gallery to Undergo Major Redevelopment, Hosts Lego Space Exhibition During Closure
BENDIGO, VICTORIA – Bendigo Art Gallery will temporarily close its doors beginning next week to embark on a meaningful redevelopment project, with a large-scale, space-themed Lego exhibition set to occupy a nearby space during teh construction period. The gallery’s closure, commencing January 29, will allow for a comprehensive overhaul aimed at enhancing visitor experience and expanding the gallery’s capacity.
The aspiring redevelopment will see the gallery undergo significant changes, though specific details remain tightly held. While the physical gallery is transformed,the Bendigo Art Gallery will maintain a public presence with “Brickman: Voyage to space,” a captivating exhibition featuring intricate lego models of spacecraft,planetary landscapes,and robotic explorers,opening February 3 at a separate location. The exhibition offers a unique possibility for the community to engage with art and science during the gallery’s closure,ensuring continued cultural access for residents and tourists alike.
Gallery Director Jessica Bridgfoot emphasized the importance of the redevelopment in securing the gallery’s future as a vibrant cultural hub.”What we need to do as cultural leaders is reinforce the intrinsic value of the arts and what that does for people’s mental health and wellbeing,” Bridgfoot stated. The redevelopment aims to further cultivate these benefits by providing an improved environment for experiencing and interacting with art.
“Brickman: voyage to Space” will feature a life-size Lego model of the Mars Rover Perseverance and its accompanying helicopter, Ingenuity, alongside Lego reimaginings of prominent female scientists. Interactive building zones will also be available, allowing visitors to unleash their creativity.
Bridgfoot, who also chairs the Australian division of the International Council of Museums, highlighted the broader significance of cultural institutions.She noted the value of “all the other wonderful things that come from that communing, having cultural experiences together, shared experiences.”
The duration of the Bendigo Art Gallery’s closure and redevelopment is currently unspecified, but updates will be provided as the project progresses. Facts regarding the “Brickman: Voyage to Space” exhibition, including ticketing and location details, is available on the Bendigo Art Gallery website.
