Thousands of visitors each week to VicUrban’s ‘Urban Art’ throughout Docklands are smiling and saying “cheese” as they take a happy snap to capture their waterfront experience.

‘Urban Art’ may have captured Water Rat’s keen nose for artistic works, but what is the philosophy underlying one of the world’s most vigorous and unique art programs, if it doesn’t include the ancient cheese carving
technique of ‘Tallow Sculpturing’?

A cheese sculpture may not be as silly as it sounds considering Docklands
commissioned a ‘Cow up a Tree’ and ‘Silence’ along the noisy promenade. But is it possible for a cheese sculpture to meet ‘Urban Art’ criteria and add to the landscape of the evolving spirit of the area?

Armed with a cheese sculpture tightly wrapped in a white serviette, Water Rat declared to Urban Art Director Bronwen Colman that the next big thing to add to their embryonic ‘Urban Art Collection’ was about to be unveiled. To
her surprise, the cheddar design was only a mild let down! Apparently it lacked the desired characteristics and qualities common among existing sculptures such as the ‘Cow up a Tree’.

The ‘Tallow’ prototype had “magnificent form but lacked durability”, Bronwen explained, going over the key principles of the Art Program. “The aim is to
encourage a high level of integration of artwork with a strong relationship to the environment. Developers can directly employ artists to undertake works or VicUrban will advertise open competitions with site briefs or appoint direct
commissions based on available funding for each project”.

Currently there are eighteen magnificent works displayed throughout the Docklands. Melbourne’s waterfront precinct is being enhanced by an
accumulating art collection ranging from bold-scale work, detailed pieces integrated with the external facades of buildings, functional elements, to the
streetscape and narratives that are spread over extended areas, such
as the colourful ‘Art Wall’ along the Telstra Dome concourse.

Keep your eyes peeled for future works by artists such as Geoffrey Bartlett and Brook Andrew. In the meantime, enjoy the sometimes controversial works as you journey the ‘Docklands Public Art Walk’ and join Water Rat to say “Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese”!

Contact Water Rat with any news at waterrat@3008docklands.com.au