Pictured above is the Art Deco entrance of the Melbourne Zoo in 1940. Below is the entrance today with the addition of a patio/courtyard in the front. Melbourne used to have a beautiful Art Deco Monkey House, but it has been torn down. I have never seen a picture of the Monkey House. Does anyone have any, or know where some can be found? The beauty of Art Deco was utilized on a number of zoo entrances around the world, when it was experiencing it's greatest popularity. With the exception of it's outwardly appearance, Art Deco was totally inadequate for any actual animal enclosures.
Art Deco is an eclectic artistic and design style which had its origins in Paris in the first decades of the 20th century. The style originated in the 1920s and continued to be employed until after World War II. Led by the best designers in the decorative arts such as fashion, and interior design, Art Deco affected all areas of design throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including architecture and industrial design, as well as the visual arts such as painting, the graphic arts and film. At the time, this style was seen as elegant, glamorous, functional and modern, utilizing the soft pastels(note the colors on the Melbourne Zoo entrance and wall) and organic forms of Art Nouveau.
Melbourne Zoo is Australia's oldest zoo, and part of a consortium of Australian Zoo's managed by Zoos Victoria(soon to be known as The Sullivan Group) which manages three zoos: Melbourne Zoo, Healesville Sanctuary, and Werribee Open Range Zoo.
"History of the Zoo"
Zoos Victoria
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Melbourne Zoo--Yesterday and Today
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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4 comments:
Hi I recently wrote an article about the Monkey House at the Zoo that contained some images and cartoons. If you email me at robingrow@ozemail.com.au, would be glad to send copies. There is a popular poster of the zoo by Northfield that includes a drawing of the monkey house.
]regards Robin Grow,
President Art Deco & Modernism Society
Rob,
Greetings and welcome to circusnospin. Your offer of photo's is most generous and appreciated. Any of Melbournes elephant house/banquet room would be also appreciated. What are available, don't really show the complete building, or it's beauty. Why and when was the Monkey House torn down. Had it not been given landmark status, or had it deteriorated to a bad state. It is a terrible travesty when a zoo removes it's "history" with the razing of a historic old building. Many here in the states have gone to great efforts to utilize the old buildings, but some have deemed it proper to destroy them. Melbournes use of the term "Heritage Zone" is brilliant and most appropriate.
One of my favorite Melbourne "buildings" is the Glenferrie Sports Stand. Readers may want to also look in on the site Walking Melbourne.
For readers interested in Melbourne Art Deco, Mr. Grow has authored a great book on the subject titled "Melbourne Art Deco" available by contacting him at the email address above.
A great blog on the subject that I have followed for quite some time is called "Art Deco Buildings" manned by David Thompson who I understand took many of the photos for Rob's book.
Wade
Wade,
I wouldn't mind being at the top of that food chain.I am off to Western Plainszoo,Dubbo,NSW.Thanks for the high praise.To go from professional muckraker to CEO of Zoo's Victoria in 24 hrs is some ladder climbing.Cheers ay.
Glenn
Glenn,
It is not what you do, that will bring you a meteoric rise, it is who you are doing it to.
God speed, and and be safe, friend. Keep us posted, and watch your back. Steve Robinson is lucking in the bush.
Wade
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