Magic Bean: News

The last few weeks here at Magic Bean seem to have been centered around our tuition sector. Leon has had the pleasure of helping out several lovely people with their technological needs and has received a ton of positive feedback (he really is very good, though I may be somewhat biased). 

If you reside in Melbourne and have any questions, issues or concerns in the realm of Mac or creative software, Leo's probably the man to save your day. Take a look here for more info and please feel free to contact us any time. 

This month, we're hoping to get our online store jam packed with handmade goods (workload permitting), so stay tuned. 

We're also going to post a call out for Australian, particularly Melbourne artists and designers to send their work through to be featured, so look out for the details in a few days. 

Ceramics: Gwyn Hanssen Piggott

With a career spanning over 45 years, world renowned ceramist Gwyn Hanssen Pigott's work looks as fresh today as it did when she first created it. Born in Ballarat in 1935, she studied for her Bachelor of Arts at The University of Melbourne during the 50s.

Hanssen Pigott concentrates on the subject of the functional vessel, investigating its subtleties and nuances. Exploring the format of the group, she presents variations on related forms of vases, beakers, bowls and teapots as still lifes. Wheel-thrown in porcelain and using variations of wood-fired celadon glazes, Pigott’s approach to composition and presentation in these deceptively simple forms of grouped, functional objects reflect the influence of Italian painter Giorgio Morandi.

To Market: The Queen Vic

The market of the longest reigning British monarch has had Melbournians ritualistically making the pilgrimage to peruse and gather goods for over 125 years, and for good reason. This market offers diversity, a darn good atmosphere and price tags to suit even students especially for fresh produce with the many stalls competing.

I lie, staring at the cracks of blue light peeping through the timber venetians, wide awake. It's about 5.30am. I ponder whether to just stay in bed and rest, get up and clean, write, do something useful. I remember it's market day. The market opens at 6am so I quietly slink out of bed, avoiding the burdensome set of creaking floor boards below. I pull on tights, boots, a woolen skirt, turtleneck, overcoat and hat and sit down at the coffee table to write a note lest my other should wake up and find me gone. Pulling my shopping cart behind me, I walk through the dark and dormant streets of Melbourne, chopping and changing my route through streets and lanes as I please.

As I approach the market I can here the busy chatter and clatter of vendors setting up shop. Rugged up, hauling crates and containers off the back off trucks, the hardworking men and women prepare to begin their day of business. In the wee hours of this chilly morning, I witness what most of us shoppers take for granted. A thousand smells waft past my nose; a warm yeasty aroma as I wander past bakeries, an ocean breeze near the seafood hall and the musty, creamy scent wafting from the delicatessens specialising in cheese.


In the general area, treat your mantle to an adorable set of Babushka dolls for around $12, pamper yourself with a variety of essentials oils for about $5 each, stock up on socks, knickers and thermals for the whole tribe or prepare for Christmas stocking stuffing with hand-painted wooden toys.

The general stalls offer a lot but this market is famous for it's foodstuffs.

Fresh ricotta from 'Curds & Whey' in the deli hall, heaped onto caraway seed rye, topped with capers, roasted capsicum and black pepper.

See the lovely folk at The Epicurean in the deli section to get tips on what's ripe for your cheese and wine gathering and if you are a meat eater - the Gypsy ham is a must. You might also like to try their blonde Calamatta olives. Just across from the Epicurean is Curds and Whey and be sure to get a hunk of fresh ricotta - absolutely divine. Up the aisle a little is Andrew's Bakery and if you haven't tried A&G Bakehouse's Vital Rye, you are seriously missing out, for a slice of this bread (always toasted) is a superb meal unto itself. We like to spread its toasted flesh with tahini, top with a crumbling of a nice sharp vintage cheddar and a pile of alfalfa or watercress, a big grind of black pepper, squeeze of lemon juice and a drizzle of olive oil...I digress.

Here are the details:

Queen Victoria Market
Corner Elizabeth and Victoria Streets
Melbourne
Victoria

Tel: (03) 9320 5822
Fax: (03) 9328 2710

Market Trading Hours
Tuesday: 6am - 2pm
Thursday: 6am - 2pm
Friday: 6am - 6pm (General merchandise closes at 4pm)
Saturday: 6am - 3pm
Sunday: 9am - 4pm

Closed every Monday and Wednesday, Good Friday, Anzac Day, Melbourne Cup Day, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day

For more information, have a look here.

Must do in Melbourne: January

January is quiet for Melbourne's smaller exhibition spaces, most of them close over the holidays and re-open in February but that doesn't mean you'll be short of exhibits to see. Head the NGV International and view the great permanent collection (thanks to the Felton bequest, as my gorgeous sister-in-law pointed out the last time she was in Melbourne). There are always amazing temporary exhibitions showing at the NGV as well...

Joseph Beuys & Rudolf Steiner
Imagination, Inspiration, Intuition

NGV International

26 October, 2007 to 17 February, 2008

Admission free

This exhibition examines the connections between the art of Joseph Beuys (1921-1986) and the teachings of Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). Rudolf Steiner’s writings on politics, economics and intellectual freedom exerted an impact upon Beuys. In particular, Beuys’ theory of ‘social sculpture’ reflects the influence of Steiner in its insistence that creativity should be applied to all aspects of human endeavour. Building upon Steiner’s concept of ‘denkbilder’ or ‘thought drawings’, Beuys used chalk on board to communicate to his audience the basic principles of social sculpture – freedom, direct democracy and sustainable economic forms. Concerned with the intersection of art and politics, education and the development of the individual, this is an exhibition that will appeal to a wide range of people; from the general public, to those interested in German culture or Anthroposophy.

Must do in Melbourne: January

Rhythm of Africa

Werribee Open Range Zoo

Every Saturday and Sunday at dusk.
5 January to 9 March, 2008

Experience soulful African beats on a balmy Summer’s eve performed by traditional and contemporary African artists.

More information here.