Illuminating art project coming to Ballan

THE Moorabool Shire Council is inviting expressions of interest from artists to create an illuminated artwork around the new pavilion in Ballan’s McLean Reserve.

The opportunity is open to artists who live in Moorabool Shire or those with a demonstrated connection to the shire.

It does not require artists to have specialist lighting knowledge, merely requiring submitted artworks to be drawings, text or patterns that will translate into a lighting effect in a compelling way.

A council spokesperson said the artworks will be projected onto the ground around the shelter at McLean Reserve, with the first artwork expected to be on display by the end of the year.

“There is no theme for the commission but proposals will be assessed by how well they create a compelling experience for the viewer, celebrate local culture and identity with pride, encourage visitation and engagement and inspire connection to the Ballan and broader Moorabool area,” the spokesperson said.

The past experience and standing of applying artists would also be taken into account.

“The artwork commissions are being funded as part of the infrastructure project to upgrade McLean Reserve, which has received funding from the State Government through Regional Development Victoria,” the council spokesperson said.

“Successful artworks will be held by Council for future presentations at McLean Reserve, so there may be repeat presentations of selected works.”

The commission invites artists to create black and white line drawings or patterns suitable for gobo projection, with the artwork to be projected nightly for four months around the new pavilion using four gobo projectors.

A gobo projector is a specialised lighting device that projects patterns, images, or logos onto a surface and the term “gobo” stands for “Goes Before Optics”, referring to the stencil or template that shapes the light.

“This is an exciting opportunity for our local artists to display their work and will be a great visual for locals and visitors to the newly refurbished McLean Reserve in Ballan,” Moorabool Shire Council mayor Cr Paul Tatchell said.

“We look forward to receiving and displaying fantastic and compelling art from our talented artistic residents or those who have a connection to Moorabool Shire.”

Submissions close 6pm, Tuesday 30 September with more information available through [email protected].