Henty House - Brutalism in Launceston

I love Henty House! It has served as one of my main inspirations over the years and I am always finding new perspectives and interpretations in which to make photographs of this iconic building.  The entire precinct in which Henty House stands, known as Civic Square is about to undergo major redevelopment.  This will be a major change and bring to an end of an era to the original fabric of the precinct since it was developed in the latter part of the 20th Century.  Check it out while you can!

Check out my ongoing project of Henty House on my website http://www.tryanphotos.com/Projects/Tasmania/Henty-House/

"Australian Modern" publication to feature Henty House & Civic Square, Launceston

Some exciting news - a new publication is about to be released titled Australian Modern - Mid 20th Century Design, which will be released nationally in February.

I was invited to produce a story with accompanying photographs relating to the subject of Tasmanian Modernism. My feature story chronicles the history surrounding the Brutalist landmark Henty House and Launceston Civic Square in Northern Tasmania through my research and my photography.

Publisher and creative director of the new publication Chris Osborne writes: "With a resurging interest in all things mid-century, Australian Modern offers a unique retrospective of Australian mid 20th century architecture, design and cultural history. Australian Modern examines the projects, people and style of the period, enlightening readers about the mid-century modern movement and its talented and often overlooked designers. The informative range of topics includes Googie architecture, French fashion, the Goggomobil and Meadmore furniture, also mid 20th century suburban design, and the work of architects of the era. Australian Modern is an independent publication, designed, edited and printed in Brisbane"

An accompanying website http://www.australianmodern.com.au/ has just been launched (one of my black and white photographs of Henty House features on the main page) and contains more information of where to get your copy of Australian Modern via stockists or online.

The landmark Henty House will by given national exposure in Australian Modern via a story and series photographs I produced for the publication.   

AUSTRALIAN MODERN LAUNCH
You’re invited to come and celebrate the launch of Australian Modern. Meet the Australian Modern design team and the contributors, and get your very own copy of Australian Modern ‘hot off the press’ at the various launch events around the country.

AUSTRALIAN MODERN
Mid 20th Century Design
ISBN: 9780980476729 (pbk)
68 Pages RRP $16

LAUNCH EVENT UPDATES

Adelaide Launch: Willunga Art Space, Friday 27 January, High Street. Willunga Ludwik & Wladyslaw Dutkiewicz Exhibition Contact: Adam Dutkiewicz for details  adam@moonarrow.com

Brisbane Launch: Saturday 28 January 8pm, 9 Burchell Street Carina
Bookings and tickets 07 3395 4571 chris@brisbanemodern.com.au

Melbourne Launch: Outre Gallery, Friday 2 March from 7pm, 249 Elizabeth Street. Melbourne
Bookings through Outre Gallery http://outregallery.com/browse.aspx?Category=319
Outre Gallery facebook event http://www.facebook.com/events/213793908711156/

Melbourne In-Store: Angelucci 20th Century, Saturday 3 March from 11am to 1pm,
113 Smith Street. Fitzroy  T: 03 9415 8001  www.angelucci.net.au

Sydney Launch: To be advised (Possibly Thursday 26 April)

Henty House - Launceston

Architect: Peter Partridge - 1982
"The space ship has landed" - This is one of Launceston's best examples of Brutalist period architecture. It certainly creates an impact with it's bulk and stylized concrete textures. This period of architecture does what Art Deco did the period before; that is modern design principles in the name of progress. Although heritage should be protected and valued, it could be argued that we live in a period now where the built environment is "over protected" which in turn stifles modern and exciting designs. Instead we get a pastiche in many new buildings that attempt to look old, but are not true to their old attempted style, neither inspirational. Buildings such as Henty House are an inspiration to modernist design principles.

A Photographic essay on Henty House can be viewed by click here