Time out at MCA

THE standout work from this year's Venice Biennale will form the centrepiece of the MCA's grand reopening in March.

Elizabeth Ann Macgregor

THE standout work from this year's Venice Biennale will form the centrepiece of the Museum of Contemporary Art's grand reopening in March.

The Clock, a work by Californian artist Christian Marclay - winner of the Golden Lion award for best artist - will be the star attraction at the MCA's revamped $53 million harbourfront premises, which will be officially opened on March 29.

Marclay's award-winning work is a 24-hour film comprising thousands of historic film extracts, most referencing a particular time of day, which are edited to synchronise with visitors in real time. The museum will stay open to show The Clock in its entirety on opening day.

The work has attracted large crowds at galleries around the world, and has been described in the British press as "the most complex thing made by an artist so far this century".

MCA director Elizabeth Ann Macgregor says securing the work was a coup, and that it will complement curator Rachel Kent's opening exhibition Marking Time. 

The MCA's multimillion-dollar revamp, designed by architect Sam Marshall, will increase its floor space by more than 4500 sq m.