Occupying the monument
Over Obelisk
Overview
A folly is a piece of architecture without a sense of purpose. Over Obelisk, an installation that encases the John Batman monument, infuses the folly typology, one that seems purposeless, or a placemaking embellishment, into something meaningful.
The work addresses the Batman monument, which sits on the north-east corner of the Queen Victoria Market that passers-by could easily miss, including the inscription that states Melbourne was “unoccupied” prior to 1835. The folly draws attention to the monument that needs to be reconsidered as the market precinct undergoes redevelopment. It asks passers-by in English and Woiwurrung: “Do you acknowledge that the events referred to by this monument are inaccurate?”
Two smaller follies, narrow stairways-to-nowhere, encourage closer contact by breaking off and moving to different parts of the market for public occupation. These stairs become sites for public events, such as talks, performances or conversations between market shoppers.
This work was installed as part of Melbourne Biennial Lab, curated by Natalie King, and convened by the City of Melbourne with Claire Doherty (Situations) and David Cross (Deakin University).
The convoluted framework and complex geometries of the work allowed it to be viewed from a range of different angles; to privilege and expose views that may reveal both the monument’s and the establishment of Melbourne’s contested histories.
The folly draws attention to the monument that needs to be reconsidered as the market precinct undergoes redevelopment. It asks passers-by in English and Woiwurrung: “Do you acknowledge that the events referred to by this monument are inaccurate?”
The convoluted framework and complex geometries of the work allowed it to be viewed from a range of different angles; to privilege and expose views that may reveal both the monument’s and the establishment of Melbourne’s contested histories.
The folly draws attention to the monument that needs to be reconsidered as the market precinct undergoes redevelopment. It asks passers-by in English and Woiwurrung: “Do you acknowledge that the events referred to by this monument are inaccurate?”
