MoreArt

MoreArt: art in public spaces
Status	Active
Genre	Public art show
Date(s)	October-December
Frequency	Annual
Venue	Public sites along the Upfield rail and bike precinct in Moreland.
Location(s)	Moreland
Country	Australia
Years active	2010-
Inaugurated	2010 (2010)
Founder	Dan Mitchell
Activity	Art, sculpture, audio, video
Website
http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/events-recreation/festivals-and-major-events/moreart-public-art-show/

MoreArt is an annual art in public spaces event along the City of Moreland's iconic Upfield Bike Path, railway corridor and Sydney Road. The first event was held in 2010.

During the event, tours of the artworks and sculptures are undertaken by bicycle along the Upfield bike path, often with an opportunity for the cyclists to meet and engage with the artists. The works are located from Brunswick to Fawkner, and can be accessed by bicycle, train and on foot.

The idea for the MoreArt event was coined by Dan Mitchell, Moreland City Council’s Public Art Officer. The event works

"By encouraging artists to draw inspiration from and utilise disused public space, MoreArt both inserts art into the those places already familiar – if hitherto invisible – to the local community, and invites both Moreland residents and others to subsequently discover – and perhaps better appreciate – the Moreland area while touring the MoreArt “exhibition”.^[1]

Some artworks are located within the historic station buildings themselves and can include audio and video projections. Other locations include in front of the Brunswick Mechanics Institute and in Victoria Street Mall at Coburg.

In 2013 Koalas made from gray plastic bags by Coburg resident and artist Aaron James McGarry were tied up into eucalypt trees in Victoria Street Mall at Coburg. McGarry commented, "The idea was to use an iconic native animal. They're one of the many flora and fauna plastic bags have an impact on. It's an environmental piece that looks at our impact as consumers."^[2]

In 2016 Moreland City Councillor and Mayor Samantha Ratnam said that MoreArt is significant in helping to bring the community together and in enhancing the historic railway station buildings.

“Public art increases vibrancy and social cohesion in the community, economically it benefits the community by attracting more people, and importantly, by activating a space, it can change the perception of a space and the way it’s used,” Councillor Ratnam said.^[3]

The public art show is supported by the City of Moreland.^[4]

References