Test Sites Online

91-21

Public Art Pitch

Early 2021 I was privileged enough to participate in Test Sites Online. A program designed to assist artists new to exploring the realm of public art.

With funding provided by the City of Melbourne, over a three month period I attended a series of group workshops in order to develop my pitch for 91 -21.

A site responsive, video installation presented in celebration of the 30TH Anniversary of Melbourne Centrals Iconic Marionette Pocket Watch.

On each hour, a pan flute version of waltzing Matilda, plays as a concealed compartment slowly reveals a display of “Australiana” marionettes.

Together they move to the tune for 3:00 minutes before an ambient track of synths and native bird songs heralds them back inside the clock face.

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There are four crimson rosellas and three cockatoos that flap their wings and bob their peaks on beat.

Viewable from level 2 a window reveals a family of koalas. Swinging side to side as part of the timekeeping mechanism.

Two childlike musicans twist along playing the flute and violin

Research & Development

Designed by Japanese watchmaker SEIKO, the watch was a gift to the people of Melbourne given upon the opening of the shopping centre in 1991. At the time Australia was suffering through its worst recession since the Great Depression. Melbourne CBD retail vacancies were at an all time high.

Original Inclusions such as SEIKO Logo & 12.5 metre 2 tonne chain hanging from two floors above, have since been removed.

Archival photographs by Rennie Ellis, from the series “Melbourne Central, Under The Cone, Daimaru on left” Source: State Library Of Victoria.

At the cost of 1 .2 billion dollars, Japanese construction firm Kumagai gumi, created Melbourne Central Shopping Centre. originally marketed as the “New heart of town” and “Life of the city”. However the arrival of it’s primary tenant,Japanese department store DAIMARU was characterized in the media as a foreign assault on local retailers Myer & David jones.

So it isn’t hard to see the watch and its strong use of Australiana as a kind of peace offering. Its antique aesthetic plays off the industrial architecture of coops shot tower opposite.the Alice in wonderland proportions contributed to the whimsy of the shopping destination. which also housed a hot air balloon and wooden plane.