Often times we live in a city our whole lives without ever looking up. We notice and become familiar with everything that lives on street level. It is because of this we happen to miss out and become oblivious to all the interesting things our cities have to offer. One such ‘interesting thing’ is Magnet, which i recently discovered thanks to fellow contributor and all around good guy Alex. Magnet is on the 2nd floor of a very old building on Bourke St.
Magnet is the ongoing project put together by Michael Silver. While coexisting inside of the space is FilmNeverDie, Both being nothing like conventional Photography retail spaces, instead just doing what they love to do, Photography.
Magnet.
For those that aren’t aware, what is Magnet?
Magnet is designed to draw together people with an interest in and a passion for photography, to share their knowledge, experience and aspirations and gain new insights and expertise. Magnet Galleries Melbourne Inc. is not-for-profit. At its core is a desire to preserve and celebrate photography and encourage excellence among established and emerging photographers.
How has Magnet been recieved by the community?
The reception has been overwhelming, we have only been exhibiting in Bourke Street for 1 year and our exhibition programme is quickly filling up with a huge mixture of exhibitions and events including many that are designed to raise funds ( or awareness ) for very worthy causes. We have no funding ( as yet ) and are building esteem and a large supportive family.
How has Photography affected your life?
Photography hasn’t effected my life – it IS my life. I have worked professionally since I was 15 ( now 63 ). It is me…………just love it.
What do you see for the future of Magnet?
The future of Magnet is to be a sustainable centre of photography – i.e. proper funding and a secure long term home. Magnet is about people and the future.
My job is to get it going. Photography has had it’s biggest changes ever in the last 10 years and people need “a home” and support to progress in their craft. It is very hard to sell photographs now in Australia so we are busy making friends with other similar organisations and galleries so we can be more part of the world and be involved in a much larger audience.
FILMNEVERDIE.
How long has Film Never Die been running?
Since 2011
What pulled you toward film?
The thing film is that the characteristic of film is very hard to mimic digitally.
If you invest say $300-500 you can often get a very good 1980s SLR / TLR camera that is antique and will hold up it’s price very well. On the other hand, if you buy a digital camera for $1000 guess what happen in the next 5 years? you will be lucky to get $200 back.
If someone was looking to start dabbling in film, which camera would you recommend?
I totally recommend getting a 1980s film SLR camera, which have that classic look and shoot very well too, and the best part the value will hold up quite well too.
Aside camera’s and film, what else does Film Never Die offer?
At FilmNeverDie we believe in building a community around photography and creating a space where all are welcome to hang out, to learn, work together and go deeper in their photography and creative projects.
Both Magnet & Filmneverdie are located at Level 2, 640 Bourke st Melbourne.