Artwork here to stay

By Sarah Bartlett

Did you know that the artwork Sand Dunes by photographer Richard Woldendorp featured on the billboard on the side of Tower 1 in Yarra’s Edge is a permanent fixture?

The billboard has been featuring photographic art by Australian artists since 2002 and was originally changed over annually under an agreement between Development Victoria (DV) and Yarra’s Edge precinct developer Mirvac.

This was with the exception of 2004, which saw the artwork Detachment by Mina Young featured for two years before being changed over to Sleep Late by Sandy Edwards in 2006.

The initiative is part of the Yarra’s Edge urban art program between DV and the developer, which also includes the Harmony Garden at Point Park, Fluid Lines on the Forge residential building, and the Light Buoys Installation on the Yarra River.

The urban art program aimed to embolden Australian artists to look at relevant themes such as water, urban interface as well as indigenous and industrial history of the tower’s Docklands location.

The last changeover to occur was in 2011, which saw the Escape Artisti by Julie Rapp make way for the current featured work Sand Dunes.

Group head precincts at DV Geoff Ward told Docklands News that the agreement for the annual art billboard changeover between it and Mirvac had been met.

“The agreement between Development Victoria and Mirvac for Tower 1 has been fulfilled. The artwork rotated on nine occasions between 2002 and 2011 with Sand Dunes by Richard Woldendorp the final piece delivered,” Mr Ward said.

A Mirvac spokesperson told Docklands News: “The Tower 1 Art Billboard at Yarra’s Edge was erected by Mirvac in 2002 to enrich the community through public displays of artwork.”

“As agreed between Development Victoria and Mirvac for Tower 1, Mirvac engaged a number of Australian artists, with artwork rotating annually until 2011, a commitment that has now been fulfilled.”

What do you think of Sand Dunes? [email protected]