Title: BLUE Park(ing) Day
Year: 2024
Project Type: Public Art Installation
Location: Blairgowrie, Mornington Peninsula.
Materials: Reclaimed Fabrics, Bamboo, Beads
BLUE was commissioned by The Mornington Peninsula Shire for International Park(ing) Day 2024. Mia was one of 4 local artists selected to contribute to the project.
Park(ing)Day is a global, participatory project where people across the world temporarily repurpose curb side parking spaces and convert them into public parks and social spaces to advocate for safer, greener and more equitable streets for people.
BLUE is a welcoming vision, the visitor steps into the space feeling immersed in the calming tones of blue. Soft textures surround to see and touch, a tapestry of tones, a patchwork, a coming together of disparate elements creating a new whole. Mia has been collating Blue fabrics from her community ready to up cycle: Denim Jeans, Linen, Cotton work shirts, Jersey, Silk, Saris. These are then deconstructed and reformed into a series of textural, shape filled patchworks.
Within the space is a large patchwork covered double beanbag, showcasing the up cycled materials, accompanied by two cube stools. In the middle of this ‘sitting space’ is s large enamel tray filled with beads and objects and twine/ threads.
Visitors are invited to contribute to the installation by beading while taking in the installation. This is a space to sit and enjoy the ocean views, a place to participate in the simple ancient act of beading, a moment to engage in the small gestures that add to the whole.
Here in this simplicity we can reflect on the power and impact of reusing and recreating from what we have and what we can share with one another. Here we reclaim space for community to engage, to create, to reflect and to contribute.