Oh WOW is all I can say that place is very beautiful and holds a lot of untold history, Thank you to Mark, John, Caroline G and Caroline …
Oh WOW is all I can say that place is very beautiful and holds a lot of untold history, Thank you to Mark, John, Caroline G and Caroline (shanghaiwu) (I hope I spelt that right) for coming along. I loved the whole experience, and can not wait to get more information from Jward and read through it. For those of you who don’t know Aradale, here is a little run down. Aradale Asylum was built in 1863 and opened in 1867, Aradale was closed in 1993. As like most other buildings built in this era the design was European. Aradale was built for and housed the “insane”, being a term loosely used for anyone who suffered any form of malaise, depression, uncertainty of life and also very sadly, the mentally disabled or as was once known “retarded”. Back in the 1800’s we must remember that there was no diagnosis for depression and also the now known illnesses of bi-polar, schizophrenia, borderline personality and so on. There were also no drugs to treat any type of mental illness and often the doctors and nurses would resort to very strange treatments which are now considered (and rightly so) barbaric. With a 85% mortality rate Aradale was known as the place to go and die. Common treatments applied were the use of the now out-dated Lobotomy operation and also ECT (electro convulsive therapy). No doubt in the later years insulin induced coma therapy would have also been applied as has been reported in many psychicatric institutions within Victoria. These treatments are well reported to be nothing less than destructive. Since the closure of Aradale, NMIT has taken over the ownership and currently use the land and a few smaller buildings for a lavendar farm, and the police use the land for training. At one stage they did want to turn this beautiful building into a full resort with golf course and more but it fell through. It is a shame to see such a stunning building go into such a state of disrepair, the history all gone and not one thing left to show us all just how lucky we are today. Well here are some photos, you can see more in my folio. 1:- Main Entrance b&w / / 2:- Pipe works / / 3:- Mark cooking / / 4:- Mark & John in the freezer /
Hi everyone who watches me :) Due to PC failure of my main system… no idea whats wrong with it, but all my images, precious programs…
Hi everyone who watches me :) Due to PC failure of my main system… no idea whats wrong with it, but all my images, precious programs and settings are all on it, and im not… For the meantime, im stuck with a laptop capable of msn and internet, thats about it, so for a few weeks i’ll be imageless. It hurts me yes, but somehow ill find a workaround, not sure what ill do at this stage, as it will be up to a month before I have a new machine ready to go. This is poor timing for me, so im understandably very annoyed, considering i have the Aradale Asylum shoot next weekend, and no idea how il have any images or video uploaded til i get a new machine :S I’ll try be more proactive with the writing thing though, ive let that slip a bit as i get caught up in the fun of new lenses and effects. Hope you all have a fantastic weekend… / Send good vibes my way, or, if youve got any suggestions or sympathies please send them my way :P
I’ve just returned from the most wonderful weekend away that I’ve had …
I’ve just returned from the most wonderful weekend away that I’ve had in a long time. After weeks of excited planning and imaginings, myself, Karen, Greg, Tony, Sandy and Rob ventured up to Aradale Mental Hospital on the invitation of Melissa Kirkham, to take photographs within the buildings and grounds of the disused institution. As I have stated to the four wonderful models I brought along with me on a number of occasions over the weekend, I could not have chosen a better bunch for this trip. The enthusiasm, respect and professional manner which they all demonstrated, not to mention their extremely photogenic appearances, made the weekend an absolute pleasure and made the job of capturing them, whether laid out in a morgue drawer or decked out to the nines, an inspiring and satisfying experience for me. I also managed to sneak in some self-portraiture today, as well as posing for the very talented Paul Louis Villani And though I managed to create some wonderful images and enjoyed a very full weekend of shooting, I hope that the opportunity will arise again to visit this wonderful site and further explore and record its architecture, ambiance and history, both as a backdrop to portraits, fashion and narrative cinematic images, as well as on its own.
Aradale Weekend thank you to Kheltic who was my very beautiful model and patient while I played with settings and lighting and delt with …
Aradale Weekend thank you to Kheltic who was my very beautiful model and patient while I played with settings and lighting and delt with every weird idea I had….And Reg Lyons who happily went and got changed as soon as I had an idea. This was not intended to be a whore series but when got into it, it just sort of worked that way :) 1- / 2- / 3- / 4- / 5- / 6- / 7- / 8- / 9- / 10- / 11- /
Once again Kheltic was my model (got to love that girl) Kel became my sweet and innocent patient. Who right up until her teddy was taken …
Once again Kheltic was my model (got to love that girl) Kel became my sweet and innocent patient. Who right up until her teddy was taken was a happy little girl. Her favourite past times were pretneding to be a nurse at reception and playing with her pink teddy. 1- / 2- / 3- / 4- / 5- / 6- / 7- / 8- / 9- /
Ok me playing with camera and lighting and shutter speeds and Kheltic once again being very patient 1- / !http://images-3.redbubble.net…
Ok me playing with camera and lighting and shutter speeds and Kheltic once again being very patient 1- / 2- / 3- / 4- /
Can not thank these two enough for agreeing to do these shots, the soup pot shots came to me on the way to dinner at the Blue Duck on Sat…
Can not thank these two enough for agreeing to do these shots, the soup pot shots came to me on the way to dinner at the Blue Duck on Saturday night, Jo may not remember doing it but I have the proof. Here you will find in the making of the shots and the actual shots :) In the making of the soup pot 1- / 2- / Main photos 3- / 4- / The after shots 5- / 6- / The making of the Morgue shots 7- / The shots 8- / 9- / 10- /
Been wondering whether to say anything… but seeing as we’re into self expression and all… I have spent a lot of my life caring …
Been wondering whether to say anything… but seeing as we’re into self expression and all… I have spent a lot of my life caring for a member of my family with mental illness. It’s bloody hard hard work. But I do it because I love them. And more importantly I respect them. Herein lies the drum… I would like to formalise my sadness at some not all of the photos taken at Aradale last weekend. Guys this was a place of torment, horror, misguided judgement and ultimately whether or not deliberate, a place of inhumanity. The people who lived here had souls, fears and sufferings. That precious few understood and precious few still understand. In my opinion the parody displayed is some shots is really disappointing. Man it’s tough enough for people with mental illness it REALLY is. It can’t be seen and is so so often mocked or disbelieved. And it’s tough for carers too. I know some people will say ‘get real, it’s artistic interpretation..’ Maybe. But I wonder when perhaps restraint is the better part of valour. Others will say ‘Don’t look if you don’t want too.’ To which i say, you have no idea how much I’ve already seen. And still some will say ‘Get a life.’ Problem is, this is my life. I know this will make me the outcast of ‘the group.’ But those of you who know me, know I speak with heart, love and respect for the dignity of people. Disagree by all means. Thanks for the chance to speak up. Peace.
!http://www.bronwenhyde.com/facade/Tony_Aradale_Morgue_3008200…
*thank you to tony and greg for being brave and crazy enough to climb into freezing cold morgue drawers in the aradale mental hospital at 2am in the morning. i love my friends…
Additional Info: / I have also blogged about this at my website...
Additional Info: / I have also blogged about this at my website and there is an additional image included. —-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—-—— During the weekend at Aradale I was very fortunate enough to now only meet, but watch and work with a very talented fellow… ScottJamesPremble In his infinite wisdom he put me in a few pictures and he’s shown one of them today called Primal Fear The fact that I am eclipsed in my initial performance by the absolutely STUNNING Esther make it even more special for me… I’m stoked. I just wanted to share.
!http://www.bronwenhyde.com/fabrication/Morgue_Chic_30082008367.j…
models: karen and sandy / shoes and tights: models’ own / concept, styling and photography: bronwen hyde / location: aradale mental asylum morgue inspired by the work of Guy Bourdin thank you to sandy and karen for being brave and crazy enough to climb into freezing cold morgue drawers in the aradale mental hospital on a cold night. / i love my friends…
In the wake of the massive weekend in Aradale I have been busy working away to get my images edited and out there. Honestly I think I may…
In the wake of the massive weekend in Aradale I have been busy working away to get my images edited and out there. Honestly I think I may have dumped far too much onto the internet communities in quick succession but oh well… they’re out there now for better or worse. For all of you who have been so kind with your comments and fav’ing I’d just like to offer you my most humble, deepest thanks and gratitude! It y’all that urge and inspire me to keep clicking away so, thank you (I would reply to each comment if time permitted but alas… this is all I can offer for the time being.) Cheers, / Matt
Van Gogh cuts off his ear. Sylvia Plath gasses herself. The …
Van Gogh cuts off his ear. Sylvia Plath gasses herself. The link between art and madness gets too deeply explored by some artists. And 80 RedBubblers get into the act in a town outside of Melbourne. They gather for a weekend of art and photography in a disused asylum. WARNING VIDEO CONTAINS ADULT MATERIAL / I could leave it at that. But you know me. So, just a quick thought. I constantly hear (and have heard) of the difference between being practical and useful or not. Having that winning grasp on reality is what is esteemed. And it occurs to me that art dances on the edge of a sort of madness. With art we embellish reality. We go deep behind the pragmatic and we scream that there is more. We declare our humanity lies not in the food we eat and the dollars we earn but in that which cannot be counted and which has no (real) value. Our art stares reality in the eye and offers up a tulip. Tragically some artists push this too far and lose their sanity to art. But out there in the “real” world a greater tragedy unfolds with thousands sacrificing their humanity to a smothering mundanity. You can see the full work produced by the RedBubbler’s at Aradale here. And if you would like help and advice on organising a meetup then please contact support@redbubble.com. Martin (aka PIlgrim)
“If a little dreaming is dangerous, the cure for it is not to dream le…
“If a little dreaming is dangerous, the cure for it is not to dream less but to dream more, to dream all the time.” / - Marcel Proust. Just a reminder to those in Melbourne that I have four images in the Picture This 08 prize opening tonight at Brunswick Street Gallery, as well as appearing in one of Paul Louis Villani’s images. There will be a number of Flickrites and Bubblers about, so come on down! Also, if you’d like to see a bit more about Aradale Mental Hospital, there is a video on YouTube put together by Hudcomm at the recent photo weekender there. Myself, Karen and Greg can be seen in the car park at about 50 seconds in, and then I’m the short girl with hair flying across her face, a clothes rack under one arm and a strangely husky voice talking to camera straight after. Oh dear :P
Those of you who know I went to Aradale Asylum probably wouldn’t be surprised to know that im still going through my pictures. I’m on my …
Those of you who know I went to Aradale Asylum probably wouldn’t be surprised to know that im still going through my pictures. I’m on my new system and its semi-stable for now, so I decided to stretch its legs a bit. On my flickr account: / Haunting: Video 1 It’s really short because im still trying to acquire a better program to make it in than Windows Movie Maker, this very short clip clocked 115MB at upload, only because of the codec, every other format I got coloured squares instead of clear images. Windows Movie Maker of course is not very stable in itself. It was always a half-done attempt at something larger. But still a useful tool if you’ve got the time to put up with multiple freezes and crashes in pursuit of creating your video. Even now i wish I had taken more photos to turn into more movies. I”m determined to get the NIN track working. This one is done to “Piece in the Old Style 1” by William Orbit Depends how video-happy I get as to how much more I do. / Let me know what you think of my short experiment.
Oh my gawd…. Ive just finished playing with new video editing software, rendered my first clip…. aahh so incredibly happy. So i…
Oh my gawd…. Ive just finished playing with new video editing software, rendered my first clip…. aahh so incredibly happy. So incredibly happy that my computer can run video editing, lightroom, firefox etc all at once and still not use more than 10% of its system…! Please as punch I am indeed. In the coming week/days I’ll upload my progress to Flickr or Youtube, I’ll post here so everyone knows that videos are on their way! I just wish id taken more footage now!
I must say in advance, thanks all to those who’ve been watching my progress… Roll up Roll up! http://www.youtube.com/user/chamell…
I must say in advance, thanks all to those who’ve been watching my progress… Roll up Roll up! http://www.youtube.com/user/chamellieon My linky to my youtube… my videos are there from Aradale… Music by NIN – the Ghosts album, part 1. I’ll keep it short on the blurb, ive been wrestling with youtube all evening. Enjoy all, comments here :)
This is not a self-portrait. This is th…
This is not a self-portrait. This is the fantastic brainchild and imaginings of Paul Louis Villani. In addition to taking self-portraits in pastel-coloured rooms and halls, and photographing gorgeous girls in frocks, and topless long-locked boys in the shiny steel drawers of the morgue; I also made time during the recent weekend at Aradale to climb into a metal chimney for Mr Villani with contortionist moves that closely resembled the way a chicken wishbone looks not long before it is split in two between you and your sibling. Despite how that sounds, it was a pleasure posing for him whilst Karen threw material in the air on short notice. Finally a little proof that I can look presentable in photos others take of me! And you can view it larger here Paul’s image above and his other entries can be seen at Brunswick Street Gallery’s Picture This prize until the 25th of September. In the same room you can see my four entries into the prize, and around the whole gallery there are many wonderful photographs by many local photographers whose work I love. If you’re roundabout these parts you might like to drop in from 6-9pm Wednesday 24th September for the closing night announcement of prizes.
“We are able to find everything in our memory, which is like a dispens…
“We are able to find everything in our memory, which is like a dispensary or chemical laboratory in which chance steers our hand sometimes to a soothing drug and sometimes to a dangerous poison.” / - Marcel Proust I have an image in the latest round of the Saatchi Showdown. You can vote for it here. And a final reminder: if you are in Melbourne you can see this image and three other self-portraits from the asylum, plus a portrait of me by Paul Louis Villani, plus many, many other wonderful photographs at the closing night of the Brunswick Street Gallery Picture This Prize from 6-9pm tonight. Hope to see you there.
Please go here-...
Please go here and vote for: She’s Got That Look: Please note under the rules of the challenge canvassing votes is not only accepted but applauded.
NSFW
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