The worlds of Nendo and MC Escher will collide in major immersive exhibition

The National Gallery of Victoria today announces the blockbuster exhibition, ‘Between Two Worlds: Escher X Nendo, which will make its world debut at the Melbourne museum this December. One of design’s most in-demand studios, Nendo will create a ‘deeply immersive exhibition experience’ inspired by the Dutch artist MC Escher (1898-1972).

The major show will include more than 160 prints and drawings by Escher, presented in an environment conceived by the Japanese design studio that will manipulate geometry, space and perception. Nendo founder Oki Sato has a flair for immersive environments, having created a life-sized, fish-eye ‘sketch’ of a living space at the Taiwan Craft Research Institute and a kaleidoscopic ‘ivy of mirrors’ for a Japanese flower-arranging school.

A master of optical illusion, Escher created some of the most iconic images of the 20th-century. His mathematically-inspired works of impossible staircases, architecture, and more. Drawn from the world’s largest collection of Escher’s work in the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague, this is the first major Australian presentation of his perspective-bending work and will span the artist’s entire output, from 1916 through to his final work produced in 1969.

‘The National Gallery of Victoria’s spring/summer season for 2018/19 reflects our commitment to presenting a dynamic and full programme for our diverse audiences,’ says NGV director Tony Ellwood. ‘At the heart of this programme is the never-before-seen exhibition, ‘Between Two Worlds: Escher X Nendo, which will showcase the consummate skill and unique vision of both artist and designer.’

Presented alongside this Melbourne-exclusive exhibition will be a rich programme of events and exhibitions throughout spring and summer at NGV International and NGV Australia, including major solo exhibitions by William Wegman, Polly Borland, Julian Opie, and Hito Steyerl.

INFORMATION

‘Between Two Worlds: Escher X Nendo’ will be on view 2 December – 9 April 2019. For more information, visit the National Gallery of Victoria website