The City of Ballarat’s Public Art Advisory Committee will unveil three more pieces of public art in the Bridge Mall today.
The launch follows the unveiling of the committee’s inaugural piece ‘Bunjil’ at the Lake Wendouree indigenous themed play space last week.
Swiss born Australian Artist Brigit Heller is the creative talent behind one of these works namedOutrospective- a 5 2.5 metre installation made from steel rods which features steel forms ‘dancing’ across the wall of the laneway. New lighting will be installed to cast the shadows across the wall and onto the path way.
Heller, one of Australia’s most recognised artists, has been developing her work using nature, wire and steel for over 20 years, much of it in private and public collections.
“The work is not only about the form. It is also about what happens when the light of the sun, moonlight and artificial lighting cast upon it. The work will dance across the wall and laneway giving audiences a new aspect of the artwork depending on the time of the day they view it.”
“My work intends to be a trigger for reflection, bringing a somewhat different world into the city environment. The abstract nature of the sculpture leaves room for individual interpretation and hopefully discussion amongst viewers”, Ms Heller said.
Incidents in Timeis the name of the work by renowned Australian artist Jason Waterhouse who created the 12 different sculptures which collectively make up the new public art installation in Time Lane.
A recent finalist in the McClelland Survey Award, Australia’s richest art award, Jason Waterhouse describesIncidents in Timeas small scale intimate works which shoppers will happen across with a sense of discovery.
“These magical sculptures give us a new way of looking at public art and engaging with our urban spaces.Incidents in timeutilises the many small nooks and crannies found within Time Lane, formed by the erosion of years, and incidental architecture; a series of miniature landscapes depicting moments in time, from the banal, to the sublime to the strange”.
The third piece is by Sue Buchanan and Ellie Giannini and will be installed in Drury Lane.
The artists say the installation refers to the gold prices from 1851 to the present day, as well as gold’s allure: its lustre and promise of wealth beyond imagining.
“‘Gold fever’ manifested in the gold rush frenzies of the 19th century, persists today in the roller coaster stock market indices and stockpiling of gold by governments and private citizens”.
PAAC Chairman, Councillor Des Hudson said it was exciting to follow up the Committee’s inaugural unveiling with another three pieces.
“Council is committed to ensuring our public spaces are enriched with artworks that celebrate unique local characteristics through a diverse program in the public realm. Together we can all contribute to this vision for Ballarat”.