The Lace Project is one of four
projects in The Living in the Landscape Public Art Incubator. It is installed over the summer of 2017-18 It uses the
art of lace making to connect community and space. Over the past few months I
have explored the bush surrounding Hurstbridge Community Hub with kids and
adults from the community and from this, designed a series of installations that
will temporarily adorn the Hub. Parts of the lace have been made in the space
and with community.
The first large scale piece is a
reflection of time spent with the children of Hurstbridge Kindergarten and Childcare
Centre exploring the bush surrounding the Hub.
On our walk we saw ducks, felt and collected leaves and flowers and
noticed textures, shapes and smells.
Install day
Close up of work
Piece from the front
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| Detail of work prior to install |
The darker rope elements are enlargements
of drawings the children made on reflection of our walk together. This darker rope was coloured by eco-dye
techniques using leaf fall from eucalypts surrounding the Hub.
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| Eco-dye process |
 |
| The outcome |
The second large scale piece is a
reflection of my time spent walking the bush with Friends of Diamond Creek - Hurstbridge and learning of the weed
removal and planting programs that have helped
return the bush to its native state.
 |
| The vista that inspired the piece |
The smaller round piece displayed inside the Hub is a more detailed reflection of this shared walk and highlights some of the native species such as poa labillardieri, poa poiformis, bulbine bulbosa and maidenhair fern as well as the tall eucalyptus in the distance.
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| Detail of work |
The acacia and gum installation
on the internal divide of the hub was created in two parts. The first by community members in a workshop held with
the assistance of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Lace Guild and the
second through casual drop-in/come and try days.
Participants included Araluen, staff of Nillumbik Shire, Boomerang Bag
contributors and Men’s Shed.
The piece installed inside the Hub
Detail of works
It has been such an honour to explore and create in and with this community and be given an opportunity to explore my practice in new ways. The youngest participant of the project was 2 years old and the oldest in her 80s. On the day of the lace workshop three generations sat at one table learning the art of lace together and helping each other out. I have loved the contributions from community in shaping and making and the conversations held with contributors and observers alike.
This project was made possible by
Nillumbik Shire and the support of the Victorian Branch of the Australian LaceGuild.
Video courtesy of Nillumbik Shire Council Arts and Cultural Development
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