Jewell Portal

Background Sanctioned and contested public spaces are now both increasingly becoming screen space opportunities for artists working with projection. First developed by artists such as Krzysztof Wodiczko, and more recently occupied by digital artists such as Rafael Rozendaal, public projection has been utilized both as a form of political and social protest, as well as issues of audience accessibility and engagement. Contribution The animated projection Jewell Portal was part of a one night public event curated by Camilla Hannan, occupying various train stations along the Moreland train-line in which artists were able to 'reclaim' these comparatively antisocial public spaces and make them a site of engagement and interaction. My work positioned on the eastern side of Jewell train station building adjacent to Upfield Bike Path, consisted of an animated projected portal sequence, directed on the ground to trap the computer as they walk, run or ride along the busy station thoroughfare. The portal sequence uses very simple and stylised graphic animation predominantly black and white, this conditional illusion contrasting against the external environment, further added humour to the experience of the work as a metaphor for transportation. Significance This project was part of MoreArts 2014, a public art event funded and commissioned by the Moreland City Council. Due to the success of this artwork, Moreland Council have now commissioned sound artist Camilla Hannon and myself for an additional projection installation at Jewell station later this year for the sum of $3,000.