Skywhales to soar over Melbourne

A special treat for Melbourne art lovers and balloon enthusiasts beckons in the dawn hours of March 19. 

MPavilion will play host to Skywhales: Every Heart Sings, the inaugural Melbourne flight of Patricia Piccinini’s Skywhale hot-air balloon family.

To celebrate the first hometown journey of the amazing creatures, art lovers and sky gazers are invited to set their alarm clocks and join the Melbourne-based artist at Yarra Bend’s Corben Oval to witness the creatures Skywhale and Skywhalepapa, prepare for lift-off. 

From there, they will soar into Melbourne’s skies and over the heart of the city promising a singularly spectacular display visible from the CBD to the outer metropolitan reaches.

“Every Heart Sings is a project that talks about nature, family, evolution, care and wonder," said Piccinini, "They float into our lives to make us smile and think.” 

Piccinini sees her hot-air balloon Skywhales not just as sculptures but as an opportunity for connection through a shared moment.

Following their debut flight in Canberra in 2020, the sculptures come to Melbourne as part of the National Gallery Touring Event, thanks to the principal patronage of the Naomi Milgrom Foundation.

 

Prior to the event, Melbourne residents can soak up all things Skywhales with a series of activities happening at MPavilion cultural complex on Thursday, March 10. 

Piccinini will read from her new children’s book Every Heart Sings, and after the reading will be in conversation with wildlife scientist and marine mammal expert Dr Vanessa Pirotta.

For further information, including the Skywhale: Every Heart Sings public programming event at MPavilion visit mpavilion.org.