Bay Trail Public Art Project

Over the coming months, the City of Kingston will be exploring opportunities for professional artists to celebrate and create points of interest alongside the new Bay Trail, and we need your input!

The scope:

Options for these artworks could include anything from sculptural works, artworks integrated into the existing path and surrounds, as well as augmented reality apps for smartphones that could lead community members on a self-guided tour along sections of the shared pedestrian/cycling path.

So far, Council has explored initial ideas for the artworks and sought the artistic input from two artists, Deb McNaughton and Glenn Romanis, who have provided preliminary ideas for potential artworks along the trail. Please note these artworks are only concepts and will be shaped and informed by your feedback.

It is also worth noting that the post-colonial history of the area has been well documented and celebrated through Council projects such as the Mentone and Mordialloc Walking Trails, and the Pioneer Coastal Arts Project. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore new content and cultural stories previously untold.

Below are the early concepts that have been presented. Please note: these are indicative concepts only and will be refined based on community feedback and creative workshops. Some concepts are in more advanced stages than others.

Option A: Bench seat sculptures

Indigenous sculptor Glenn Romanis presents three interactive and site-specific sculptures, for the reserve located at the end of Charman Road, Mentone. The first are large fossilised megalodon shark tooth bench seats (image 3-4) which celebrates the 5.5 million-year-old fossil rich sandstone cliffs that stretch from Beaumaris down to Mentone Beach, and the important legacy of the prehistoric animals that once lived there. The second sculpture is a meeting place and functional human sundial (images 5-6), which allows community members to read the time using their own shadows. The sundial would also feature a detailed map of the natural shoreline stretching down to Carrum. Glenn is an artist experienced in community consultation and would liaise directly with the community and relevant stakeholders in the delivery of any artworks.

For more information about the artist, please visit: glennromanis.com

Image: Bench seat sculpture (one of two)	Image: Site map of bench seats Beach Road and end of Charman Road, Mentone Cliffs).
Image: Example of Megalodon Tooth	Image: Geological and fossil Kingston Bay Trail meeting place/sundial

Image: Glenn Romanis demonstrating how to use your shadow to read a human sundial

Option B: Rainbow Scultpure

Following the success of Deb McNaughton’s temporal artwork, ‘Rainbow of Hope’ painted on the front façade of Shirley Burke Theatre in April this year (image 1), this artwork would seek to (image 2) commemorate the unity and connectiveness seen amongst Kingston residents in the face of COVID-19 and social distancing rules. The significance of the rainbow is also a universal sign of hope, positivity and diversity. Words, campaigns, names or imagery important to the community could also be included on the sculpture. The proposed site for this artwork would be on Beach Road, Parkdale.

For more information about the artist, please visit: debmcnaughton.com

Image: Deb McNaughton’s proposed rainbow sculpture, Parkdale

Image: ‘Rainbow of Hope’ ephemeral mural painted on the front of Shirley Burke Theatre, Parkdale.

Option C: Retaining Wall Artwork

This concept is an artwork along the retaining wall that extends from the start of St Bede’s College down to the Mentone Life Saving Club. The artwork is to be inspired by the natural vegetation and beach topography of the area. As the retaining wall runs alongside St Bede’s College in one section, the design would need to include scope for consultation and feedback from the College, along with the residents who live directly opposite the proposed artwork.

Option D: Augmented Reality App

A free augmented reality app for smartphone devices which would take the community on a self-guided environmental tour along sections of the Bay Trail. The focus would be on celebrating the unique and largely self-contained biodiversity of our bay and the local coastline. Markers along the bay Trail would bring to life large scale marine animals, plants and points of interest. The public could then have the opportunity to jump behind or beside the marker to snap a photo with the large-scale animal.

Have your say

Help shape the Bay Trail Public Art Project and let us know what type of artwork you would like to see.

You can share your views by:

• Taking part in our online survey via the link below
• Chat to the project team via 1300 653 356
• Make a further submission by emailing arts@kingston.vic.gov.au or mailing PO Box 1000, Mentone 3194.

Next steps

After the survey has closed, participants will be invited to join creative workshops with the commissioned artists and contractors. Following the consultation process, Council's Arts and Cultural Advisory Committee as well as specialists within Council, will assess the final concepts and make recommendations for consideration and approval.