A NEW facade at La Trobe University Visual Arts Centre featuring a man with hollow eyes is hoping to “prompt discussion”.
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The art installation at the View Street gallery is the result of a winning competition entry that’s set to be formally unveiled today.
Visual Arts Centre managing curator Paul Northam said it would be dramatically different to the old facade, an artwork titled “Threshold” by Sydney artist Jenny Pollak. “It’s going to be terrific to see what people think of it,” he said.
“The great thing is you don’t even need to come into the gallery to engage with the artwork.”
The facade – on a bright pink background – features two expanses of plate glass measuring about 14 metres in length and more than four metres in height.
The work is built on heavy-duty vinyl with a translucent backing and back lighting so it can be seen during the day and night.
Mr Northam said the design was chosen because of its contrast to the previous art installation.
“It’s a very strong and very powerful image... the selection committee agreed very quickly on the choice.”
It’s the second year the Facade Project competition has run through a partnership with the City of Greater Bendigo.
Mr Northam said the competition drew entries from across the country.
“It attracted high calibre artists from a variety of backgrounds and influences,” he said.
The new facade will be launched by City of Greater Bendigo mayor Alec Sandner and La Trobe University’s pro vice-chancellor regional professor Hal Swerissen and Bendigo campus executive director Andrew Skewes.