Future Projections- RMIT in the spotlight

By Katie Coulthard | @coulthard_katie

Months after Melbourne’s White Night Festival, Swanston Street has again lit up for a vibrant display of public art projections.

The Urban Animators, Living Laboratory exhibit, co-ordinated by RMIT’s Centre for Art, Society and Transformation (CAST), is focused on connecting the University with the broader CBD community through imaginative design.

Six RMIT students, staff and alumni were commissioned to produce animated artworks projected onto the grey exterior of a 13-storey building, adjacent to Building 80.

Together, the pieces make up a unique 20 minute light show of colour and creativity.

Curated by Master of Art & Public Space student Grace Leone, artists were required to respond to the idea of transformation and change, part of an ongoing promotion of planned upgrades to the City campus.

Leone’s project also commissioned artwork to be installed throughout RMIT during building works, particularly on boarding to be erected around Bowen Street construction sites.

For current students, the opportunity to be involved was important practical experience for their future careers.

Rose Hawker, one of the artists and an international student, said the chance to take part in the public art process was a valuable insight into the industry.

Her work, titled Home is Where, looks at how RMIT’s large community of international students change and adapt to Melbourne.

After speaking with students from England, Kenya and China, Hawker designed the piece to include a variety of concepts.

“The idea is that these objects on the boardings become part of the fabric of RMIT and make students feel home in the City of Melbourne,” she said.

Graduate and professional artist Freya Pitt said the location of the projections was ideal.

“When I came to visit the site to think about what I wanted to do, I was rapt with the number of reactions that would happen from passersby,” she said.

“It’s about encouraging communication and movement between people”.

The public art projections launched on Tuesday evening and will be displayed until Monday 24th August from 6.30pm on RMIT’s Building 10- 402 Swanston St, Melbourne.