 |
| Craig Cole installation |
-->
We have access to some disused shop-fronts
that will be demolished in December and that is very exciting. We had the
opportunity to have a look within some. One shop was previously an Indian
restaurant that had old posters such as the Taj Mahal grandiose overlooking us
in contrast to an abandoned area. A disused money exchange shop with glass
windows similar to that of an old bank with panels. Apart from the shared
commonality of being shops and the black painted windows with partially dark
interiors, these shops had shafts of light that come streaming through from the
back windows. I took photos of the shops and mentally took notes on their
condition and potential use. The unusual circumstance unlike galleries l have
been part of, is that we can leave the shops in any condition as they will be
demolished soon after the Footscray Public Art Project ends. Kendal suggests we
put the rubbish from all the shops into one and then use the remaining shops.
This will reduce any rubbish removal costs and make for a productive outcome. There
is so much potential it’s overwhelming in a short time frame.
Street view
Internal shop
Location view
We visited the fantastic mattress project
by the Barkly Arts Craft Circle women. Their project involves 5 decommissioned
mattresses and the prevalent issue of homelessness in the West. Many of the
women working on these mattresses have been homeless themselves. The works have
been made with materials both found and bought. Some of the material has a
history such as a common blue blanket that was given to one of the women’s
father who was discharged from hospital. He was about to discard it when she
claimed it as a potential use. So many of the letters have various textural
feels. I haven’t elaborated on the actual works as it will be best to view
these, once they have locations.
On an administrative level, permissions are
still being sort for various projects. These things take time and with only two
weeks left, there isn’t too much time left. That’s my perspective. Kendal has
been doing these types of projects for over 20 years and is often managing a
project within a week so three weeks is a luxury for him.
We visited artist Annee Miron’s studio who
will be showing her magnificent woven cardboard entities with long tentacles.
Yes, they have a life and with the time and energy that Annee has put into
these works, she and her works exude that essence. We go and see the sight where
they will hang and l somehow feel protective over these beautiful cardboard pieces.
The story behind their creation is as fascinating as is in their present state.
Oh, l’m going on one of my passionate internal rants. Photos below will give
you a small glimpse of where they
will be along with what they are.
Apologies for the ambiguity, but Footscray public art project has to have a
little mystery.
Falling, 2012
Location view
The next couple of blogs will have specific artists, their work
and interviews.
Until next time.
Your loyal public art servant
Chantal Wynter
Chantal Wynter
Line Up
-->
Chantal Wynter
Baby Guerrilla's work in the streets.
Images by Chantal Wynter
The day began with an overview of
confirmed artists and their ideas. What a line up! Such an eclectic group with varied
concepts and materials while the site-specific element is the commonality. Many
of the artists haven’t exhibited in a public space before while some are well
known public artists, so it will be an interesting and exiting outcome. Kendal
has been guiding some of the artists through conversation. We visited one of
the artist’s studio called Baby Guerrilla
whom many locals will be familiar with. The artist works across many mediums
but in public, abandoned buildings, forlorn walls, empty and isolated street
surfaces are the artist’s life size sketchbook. Paste-ups of floating and
gravity defiant figures capture your imagination as they appear randomly
through the urban streets of the West. This is going to be one of the artist’s
biggest artworks so far as part of the Couples
series. We then visited the site, which the artist chose. The challenge is
permission to use the site; that can be the most difficult part. More so,
determining who owns a site and whom to negotiate with. Will keep you updated
on that minor conundrum. Kym Ortenburg
who was the co-founder and 2012 director of the Gertrude Street Projection Festival is coming on board with a
projection on the council offices. The link gives you a tasty time lapse. In
the afternoon, we met with Cate Broadbent
who will be contributing a specially designed flag reflective of contemporary
multicultural Footscray. This is no easy task so the result is much
anticipated. There are more artists to come but enough added zest.
Your loyal public art servant.
Chantal Wynter
Baby Guerrilla's work in the streets.
Images by Chantal Wynter
On the Edge; an introduction
-->
A call out for artists was advertised in February
of this year to be part of the “On the Edge” – a public art project initiated
by Gillian Savage of Maribyrnong City Council in collaboration with artist in resident Kendal Henry. The project involves exhibiting artwork at allocated public
sites throughout the central business district of Footscray to be installed by
the 15th of November. The project
developed out of a Public Art Policy
that was adopted by council. Read it if you have an idle moment. As boring as it sounds, the policy is
quite an ambitious and inspiring document. The invitation to exhibit in “On the
Edge” had no formal guidelines or prerequisites and people of all backgrounds were
encouraged to participate. The budget is small so experienced guidance is beneficial.
Henry has 20 years of experience working with public art in many forms from
large to small scale and temporary to permanent. Henry has approached this
project without a theme and has let the site-specific element dictate the
outcome; inevitably the artwork will address social and political issues on a
local level. Henry has consulted the artists throughout the project beginning
with the idea, expanding on the concept, problem solving the practical issues
and studio visits. While artwork within a gallery environment can have
problematic installation issues, this can be increased within public art
context such as weather, structural site and public antipathy. A challenge for
the artist is how they present their work to a public involuntary audience.
Unlike a museum, a person doesn’t choose to view art in a public
space. An interesting factor is how people view art and the time they have to
engage and interpret work. This blog will endeavour to follow the progress of
this project as an artist, a student in arts management and viewer.
Your loyal public art servant.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)