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Launceston's Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is one of the finest in regional Australia. This is not surprising since the city is the third oldest in Australia. Its collection is so extensive it is located on two separate campuses.
In these three shots today I will show you the Invermay campus, where the scientific and historical displays can be found. We have previously explored some of the works in the Queen Victoria Art Gallery, but there will be plenty more to see next year when the refurbished gallery reopens.
This composition is about the wonder of flight. You will obviously spot the Bleriot XI from 1909 - a replica of one the most important early aircraft (the first to fly over the English Channel). Monochrome seemed to be a logical choice here. As you lower your eyes you will see a range of Tasmanian birds on display. These are the creatures that inspired us to reach for the skies.
Tags: Luminosity7 Nikon D850 Launceston Tasmania Australia QVMAG Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery B/W Black and White Monochrome The Wonder of Flight Bleriot XI (1909) Museum Scientific displays Birds
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"The Blériot XI is a French aircraft of the pioneer era of aviation. The first example was used by Louis Blériot to make the first flight across the English Channel in a heavier-than-air aircraft, on 25 July 1909. This is one of the most famous accomplishments of the pioneer era of aviation, and not only won Blériot a lasting place in history but also assured the future of his aircraft manufacturing business." en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bl%C3%A9riot_XI
This replica was built in 2003 by engineering students at the Burnie TAFE College. It actually flew!
Here is video footage of the real thing - not a replica. "World's Oldest Flying Aeroplane | Blériot XI ( 1909 ) at Sanicole 2017"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlX_blR_74I
Tags: Luminosity7 Nikon D850 Launceston Tasmania Australia QVMAG Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery Bleriot XI (1909) Vintage aircraft Replica Museum Scientific displays Old railway workshops
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The three photographs today are taken back in Launceston at the Queen Victoria Museum. To house their extensive collection -- one of the best in regional Australia - the QVMAG uses two buildings, the Art Gallery (shown in the link below) and the old railway workshops in Invermay. This makes a fine large space to display an extraordinary range of scientific and historical objects.
So from this point on the second floor we are looking down through the atrium. The dinosaurs reminded me of the classic comedy, "Night at the Museum". Hence the play on the name.
www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/About
www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/Exhibitions/Permanent/Transforming-t...
On another occasion I will show you some of the historic railways display.
Tags: Luminosity7 Nikon D850 Launceston Tasmania Australia QVMAG Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery Day at the Museum Old railway workshops Scientific displays
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When I posted my photographs from the Lake St Clair world heritage area, I mentioned some the more recent history of Tasmanian wilderness photography. Well here in Launceston at the moment we have an exhibition entitled, "Natural Visions: The Camera and Conservation in Tasmania".
Over next three days I'll show you some of the highlights, including a few genuine relics.
Tags: Luminosity7 Nikon D850 Launceston Tasmania Australia QVMAG Launceston Museum Photographic history Wilderness photography Natural Visions: The Camera and Conservation in Tasmania Exhibition
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John Watt Beattie (1859-1930) was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, and emigrated to Tasmania with his family in 1878. Working on a farm in the Derwent Valley he soon turned his attention to photography, learning his craft on treks into the bush. He became a professional photographer in 1882, and formed Beattie Studios in 1891.
“Gifted with both physical zeal and craftsman skills, he probably did more than anyone to shape the accepted visual image of Tasmania. An admirer of William Piguenit, Beattie stressed the same wildly romantic aspects of the island's beauty. His work included framed prints, postcards, lantern-slides and albums, and was the basis for a popular and pleasing set of Tasmanian pictorial stamps (in print 1899-1912).”
Beattie became a prominent activist in Tasmanian society, and is regarded by many as the father of tourist promotion in Tasmania. It is certainly true that he was the best known Tasmanian photographer until Truchanas and Dombrovskis. He was also for many years a member of the Theosophical Society.
adb.anu.edu.au/biography/beattie-john-watt-5171
“Who was John Watt Beattie?” This is a fascinating short documentary, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. A wonderful chapter of Tasmanian photographic history.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVW8iidCeCQ
Tags: Luminosity7 Nikon D850 Launceston Tasmania Australia Beattie's Photo Album, 1899 QVMAG Launceston Museum Natural Visions: The Camera and Conservation in Tasmania Photographic history Wilderness Photography John Watt Beattie (1859-1930)
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