Creative hoardings - transforming construction sites
Construction sites in Sydney are these days wrapped in colourful art, as city officials enliven the streets with their creative hoardings programme.
The programme was created a couple of years ago to transform the visual impact of construction sites. It also provides opportunities for artists to showcase their work on a large scale in very visible locations.
Developers with construction sites in high traffic areas must cover their hoardings in art by a living Australian artist, or historical images relevant to the area where the hoarding is located.
Developers can commission their own artist, or they can use artworks licensed by the City of Sydney, free of charge.
The council says the idea for the hoardings programme was in response to community demand for more street art. It provides “evolving, temporary urban canvases and outdoor galleries.
“Featuring intriguing art on protective structures shows the community you care about developing pleasing and interesting city streets,” the council says. “It fosters much more positive brand association than advertising, and demonstrates your company is progressive.”
Developers can create or commission their own site-specific artwork, although it’ll need to be approved by the council. Temporary structures surrounding heritage-listed sites or in areas of heritage significance are required to display historic images of the locality.
The council has also selected and licensed artworks from Australian designers and artists that can be used free of charge.