Establish a dynamic framework to guide placemaking through the commissioning of consistently high quality integrated public art along the Parramatta Road corridor. The local population will benefit culturally, socially and economically from the commissioning of major public art. This public art framework provides a guide to ensure an integrated and collaborative approach to creating consistently high quality public art outcomes across the entire Corridor.
To provide key stakeholders with an understanding of the benefits and opportunities of supporting public arts initiatives along the corridor. Plan for integration of public art at an early concept stage of design development. In the area of the corridor there is a high level of cultural diversity and therefore the audience for public art commissioned will be a broad audience.
Crown Fountain, Jaume Plensa, Chicago, USA, 2000, image: Krueck & Sexton Architects Public Art Framework | Parramatta Road Urban Amenity Improvement Program. In addition to creating a sense of place, public art can enhance architecture, wayfinding and other functional elements of a landscape. There are ways councils can support new local curators and artists to gain public art experience.
Its purpose is to work together to advocate for and seek opportunities for high quality public art outcomes along the Parramatta Road corridor.
Case Study: The Banksia and Butcher Bird by Al Stark
The creation of mural-based works on the many empty wall spaces in the corridor offers the opportunity to transform bland or ugly spaces into alluring and attractive features. Artists treating walls as a canvas will respond to local themes that will contribute to a sense of place and also establish a point of visual interest for passing traffic and pedestrians. Materials can include mosaic, tile or painted media, but these must also be resistant to vandalism as well as exposure to fluctuating weather conditions and dust.
There should be an annual surface cleaning of the work to maintain its appearance with a budget of p/year allocated for this purpose. Artists collaborating with designers of functional elements will elevate the pedestrian and motorist journey along the corridor into a cohesive experience. The result is a collection of subtle artist-designed interventions that soften and contribute to a sense of place.
Maintenance of these creative functional elements should be incorporated into a council's basic public maintenance program of regular cleaning and occasional repair.
Case Study: Someone’s Always Watching You by Digby Moran
A continuously changing program of work should be considered whereby a dedicated canvas space can be the subject of a new artwork created each year by a different local artist on each occasion. For a cost-effective investment, a major impact can be achieved and can change or bring life to the character of an otherwise unattractive area. High quality exterior UV resistant paint or superimposed robust skin is required to ensure this artwork lasts.
Lighting is an important addition to ensure that the billboards are visible at night; strong up/down lighting should be considered. These works of art require minimal cleaning; Once a year, cleaning with a high-pressure hose is recommended to remove dirt that the rain has not washed away.
Case Study
Treating advertising spaces as art is a growing trend, especially in urban built-up areas in need of beautification. Annual replacement of artwork is encouraged as the billboard works are not intended to last and may deteriorate after 1 to 2 years. Light art installations, projections and smaller neon artworks can be used to illuminate unattractive locations or create focal points along the Corridor, including the facades or undersides of walkways, dark pedestrian areas and walls.
Light artwork is most visible at night, but should still be legible during the day. By playing video, animation or graphics on different shapes and textures, the artist creates an experience of light and movement on previously static objects. Neon is increasingly used as a medium by contemporary artists and can add an element of surprise and humor to an otherwise visually cluttered or stark urban space.
These works of art have their greatest impact at night when they are in dimly lit areas or alleys. The right scale, use of color and the potential for humor and wordplay are key elements for the success of neon artworks. Lighting artworks require a greater commitment to ongoing maintenance and conservation due to the mechanics of the technology involved in creating these works.
Installations: Once the lighting design is complete, it is a matter of basic maintenance of the lamps. However, if the lighting work has a computer-controlled changeover cycle, this program will need to be checked regularly to ensure that it is functioning properly. Neon: Requires an annual review of the artwork and its installation by curators and electrical personnel, including placement of electrical outlets and cords.
Depending on the environmental conditions, an annual cleaning of the surface on which the images are projected may be required.
Case Study: Patchwork of Light by Lara Schnitger
Art initiatives will be based in areas or spaces identified for the temporary activation of those spaces. Temporary art activations are a key element of placemaking and will introduce new cultural experiences to people of all ages. Temporary artworks can also be used to activate empty spaces such as parking lots, shops, buildings and plots of land.
Materials for temporary artwork will vary greatly depending on the artist, their preferred medium and how long the artwork needs to be in place.
Case Study: Dungarimba Wandarahn (Lismore place of learning) by Craig Walsh
They will encourage the community to interact with the public domain, support cultural expression and build community connections. These are large public art commissions which mark key focal points for a person's engagement and navigation in the corridor. Landmark artworks are placed in a highly visible position, each having exposure to a wide audience due to their impact and scale.
A lighting scheme integrated with the concept is strongly recommended so that each artwork establishes an ongoing presence after dark. The minimum requirement is an annual check of the general condition of the work with a surface cleaning as well as an annual inspection and replacement of any lighting components. Artworks involving greater complexity, such as moving parts or audio components, will require a more complicated design and therefore a more regular commitment to ongoing maintenance.
In many cases, if a design is complex, the design must be refined to ensure that maintenance is manageable.
Case Study: All Eyes on Us – The Commonwealth Star by Stuart Green
Clubgrants.com.au ClubGRANtS ClubGRANTS is one of Australia's largest grant programs, providing more than $100 million in cash each year to a range of worthy causes across NSW. Reviewing existing council and state government plans, identifying existing public art and understanding future opportunities Benchmarking. Examination of existing exemplary public art projects to identify what makes them successful/appealing and determine the elements that contribute to placemaking.
Formulation of area visions, future role and character, identification of future public art opportunities Public Art Principles. Formulation of principles to determine public art funded work Nomination of potential public art works. Identifying all potential public art needed to support growth, area plans and creating acceptable places.
Each work tested against all principles and value for money Final Draft Public Art Framework. Consultation of draft public art frameworks and public art opportunities Involvement of stakeholders, feedback received and considered.
