Activating construction sites

Construction hoardings are not typically associated with artistic creation, but thanks to a partnership between Property Services, the School of Art and School of Architecture and Urban Design, restoration works around RMIT late last year became sites for public art.

We look back at the creative work students undertook to transform RMIT construction hoardings into artistic interventions.

University expansion and maintenance relies on regular construction work; however, this disruption undoubtedly presents a visual and physical intrusion on our everyday.

It was this intrusion, and the need for respite, that presented an opportunity to transform exterior hoardings into remarkable works of art.

The artworks came from the elective ‘Activating Construction Sites’, offered by the School of Art and School of Architecture and Urban Design.

The design brief challenged students to reimagine various construction site hoardings as a blank canvas full of design possibility.

Project curator and elective co - educator Grace Leone said students were encouraged to consider the histories of the sites and the contribution the final developments would make to the environment and community.

“These creative interventions aim to create a moment of pause in the daily bustle of city life. They are to prompt reflection about what it means to live together and what our goals for society might be.”

Student works were assessed by a judging panel, including external project partner Future Tense, with six works selected for presentation across Melbourne at the Capitol Theatre, Oxford Scholar and Buildings 1 and 20 on our City Campus.

Pippa Stockfeld, Director of Capital Works at RMIT said the team was able to identify several construction projects that would be excellent locations to activate with student artwork.

“Our team in Capital Works appreciate the opportunity to reduce the visual impact of the construction works on our stakeholders,” she said.

Watch the transformations:

Art, Design and Culture

07 September 2020

Art, Design and Culture

07 September 2020

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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Activating construction sites