Glow St Kilda

BACKGROUND: 'Glow' St Kilda was a site-specific public art installation that examined how temporary public spatial works can contribute to conversations about the spaces around us. Tania Davidge and Christine Phillips produced the work through their practice OpenHAUS. The work created a new place from existing elements within an urban laneway, highlighting a space for occupation, inviting people to step inside and take notice of spaces they might otherwise pass by. This manifested as a light sculpture inserted into the laneway space. In addition, a children's workshop was held at the St Kilda Veg Out Community Gardens that invited children to re-imagine the laneway and propose their own ideas. The work was thus an artistic catalyst that prompted a range of audiences to see a public space from another perspective. CONTRIBUTION: While it was a temporary architectural work, 'Glow' also fits into a field of public art interested in taking art out the gallery and into the public realm. Like Australian artists Callum Morton, Pat Foster and Jen Berean, the work contributes to broader artistic conversations about engaging with everyday spaces and how we experience them. In line with the theories of Bartlett Vice-Dean and urban commentator, Iain Borden, 'Glow' extends this practice from an architectural perspective. Unlike Borden's writing that focuses on existing built environments, Davidge and Phillips' research practice rethinks and transforms existing spaces. While there are many artists working within this domain, there are few architects contributing to this field who can build upon the research from an alternate perspective. SIGNIFICANCE: The work was funded through a competitive grant of $6k from the City of Port Philip Council through its Cultural Development Program and formed part of the 2017 Melbourne Fringe Festival. It was peer reviewed and published in the nation's premier architectural journal Architecture AU.