Look: contemporary Australian photography since 1980

Anne Marsh's massive new book Look: contemporary Australian photography since 1980 was launched last night at CCP. Look is 400 pages and includes hundreds of full-colour illustrations, all organised according to thematic chapters: identity, life, experiment, space and environment. Marsh has also written five short essays that elaborate the ideas used to organise the photographic illustrations. The essays provide a great context for the pictures, flagging the critical, curatorial and commercial factors that have helped shape recent Australian photographic practice. It's lush and perfect for xmas. Also, as with such surveys, it is great to go through and see how Marsh's selection of 190 artists and their photographs stacks up against your own wish list of great Australian photographs from the last 30 years!

LAMP

LAMP opens at Monash Gallery of Art.

LAMP is the first cafe in Monash committed to specialty coffee and regionally sourced local produce.

Nested between Monash Gallery of Art and the Wheelers Hill library, LAMP is the perfect spot to relax and indulge.

With its expansive deck and outlook over the landscaped grounds of the sculpture park LAMP is ideal for catching up with friends or business associates.

In addition to superb coffee from Sensory Lab, delightful pastries and rustic pizzas, LAMP will launch a diverse range of delicious meals including healthy kid’s platters.

Free wi-fi access available.

T; (03) 9562 2400

New North exhibition: call for entries

After the success of their first gallery-curated exhibition Four elements: air, New North are asking for submissions for the second instalment in this series – Four elements: water. The exhibition will take place at the Fairfield gallery from 3 to 26 February 2010.

Four elements: water will explore the subject of water (of which Victorians have seen a lot lately!) in photography through the depiction of bodies of water (sea, lakes, rivers, puddles), clouds, atmospheric effects, wetness, condensation, environmental photography, as well as social or political commentary associated with water issues. Contact David (david@newnorth.com.au) or Micheal (michael@newnorth.com.au) for details.