MPavilion is Now Open With a Program of 118 Free Arts Events

Move over Vault. Move over giant french fries that farewell you as you leave for the airport. Melbourne just got another confusing public artwork. But this one actually has a very useful function. Unveiled today in the Queen Victoria Gardens (opposite the NGV), MPavilion is Melbourne's newest cultural institution — a temporary purpose-built structure to house 118 free events over the next four months.

Commissioned by philanthropist Naomi Milgrim and designed by architect Sean Godsell, MPavilion was built with the goal of facilitating important public discussions and art events in Melbourne. Though it launches this week as part of the 2014 Melbourne Festival, it will also have an important role to play in Melbourne Music Week, various events from ACMI, and many initiatives with local arts organisations.

Splitting its regular programming into MTalks, MMusic and MMeets, the new space will be constantly packed full of talented people and exciting events. Each Tuesday night, designers, academics and curators will host stimulating panels. Sunday afternoons from October 19 will see the pavilion filled with free concerts. And on Wednesdays and weekends the space will be a clubhouse for different activities — from expert tea-drinking to a themed bike ride around the city.

But it's not just the huge program of events that makes this project interesting; the structure itself is a bit of an enigma. "[It was] conceived s architecture that 'blooms like a flower'," said architect Sean Godsell. "The pavilion will 'open' each morning and 'close' at the end of the day in a number of different configurations ... It has a mysterious box-like quality at night."

Inspired by the pavilions that pop up at London's Serpentine Gallery, MPavilion aims to push the boundaries of public architecture and place Melbourne on the cutting edge of modern design. And, though the great metal beast may appear odd plonked in the middle of city park, it looks relatively tame compared to some of its incredible predecessors.

Nonetheless, we couldn't be happier about it. You can check it out for yourself from Tuesday, October 7 as it launches to the public, or wait until it's abuzz with Melbourne Festival goodness from October 11. All events are free of charge, but some may be ticketed due to capacity limitations. Even if the pavilion's full, we highly recommend eavesdropping while splaying out on the grass. Your picnic plans just got a whole lot more arty.

Photos: Earl Carter.