Wish Upon a Plunk

I never walk past the Gallery without making a wish. On the approach from Flinders Street, I find I'm refining the wording (wishes have to said out loud don't you know) while reaching for my change purse by the time I reach Princes Bridge.

The first coin that my fingers fall on is the one I choose. I had to make that the rule. Otherwise it's too tempting to think that the more money I toss into the moat, the more likely the wish is to come true. And thinking like that could have me standing in front of the NGV hurling everything of value that I own into its moat.

The concept of tossing money into water apparently comes from the notion that deities dwell in water, which has forever been a precious resource. The NGV moat's mosaic Angel was moved recently. Deborah Halpern's nine-metre sculpture is still located near water though - alongside the Yarra in Birrarung Marr. Angel had her back to the wall for 15 years, but is now appreciated from all sides.

I never throw money into the Yarra though. Just the NGV's moat. If it's the kind of wish that requires extra concentration, I'll walk through the Gallery to the garden, and cast a wish from the little bridge over the moat.

The NGV has everything I've ever wished for.

by guest: Ginger Lancaster