KAMRAflash.
Kyneton And Macedon Ranges Arts:
a site-specific art project that creates exposure
In a few sentences
KAMRAflash is a themed art project for a long exterior wall, hosted by Kyneton Copy Centre, in Welsh St in Kyneton, Victoria.
It will activate an under-loved space, transforming the wall with:
a large mural, created in collaboration with service users from local disabilities service provider Windarring,
and a gallery, that creates access for various groups to be showcased in a series of exhibitions.
The project is facilitated by Kyneton artist Luke Wilkie.
Project intent - themes being explored
The project has been created to explore the following interrelated themes, both in the way that project is made to happen, and the artwork it puts up:
Inclusion and access
My artistry and my voice should be shared more widely for others to experience.
Collaboration in artistry
Forming relationships and learning together strengthens us.
There are many roles that contribute to bringing art projects to life.
Varying capabilities and expertise work together in interesting ways.
“Art is doing.” Participation in art is available to everyone.
Community and place
Art projects connect with and stimulate community observers.
Art projects activate and interact with spaces.
As a public work in a historic streetscape, the concepts and design of the mural, and of the gallery and its exhibitions, will be facilitated by the project to fit the streetscape, and to be engaging to the community.
The site now
A view of the site, at the corner of Welsh St and Mollison St, Kyneton.
The gallery and exhibitions
The gallery will cover the bottom-left quarter of the exterior wall, at the street corner of Mollison St. The scale is approximately 2.1m high by 10.8m long.
A “gallery interior” backdrop has been digitally created, compositing photographs of interiors from around Kyneton, including the Town Hall offices and theatre, and the Kyneton Mechanics Institute.
Temporary exhibitions will be hosted in an outdoor “gallery". A large-scale digital image will be printed for installation, as vinyl banner, mounted on rope edges and slid along top and bottom rails. At the end of the exhibition, the vinyl will be repurposed.
Exhibiting artists and collaborators will be sought relevant to the project themes.
The themes will invite involvement from other artists and collaborators from various points in a spectrum:
Developing, have had limited exposure, or well-established.
From Kyneton and the Macedon Ranges; or beyond, with relevant relationships and expertise.
Representation of varying demographics can be relevant, for example: Windarring service users, youth, aged care service users, showcases of local artistry, professional artists producing themed works; collaborations across demographics.
The site’s shop window and an interior display space is available, providing an option to extend beyond the outdoor gallery exhibitions to include indoor components, and allow observers an opportunity to further connect with the exhibiting artist.
The site offers an interior workshop space for development of works, and storage space for working materials or exhibition materials.
Exhibitions could have launches, to increase exposure for the exhibiting artists, and to increase community connection.
Given the themes being explored, the project organisers are seeking grants from council, government, or other organisations. This could fund artists and collaborators to produce work, management of the exhibitions, maintenance of the works, and launches.
The mural
The permanent mural will cover three quarters of the wall, approximately 4.5m high by 21m long.
In a workshop in early 2023, several Windarring service users will collaborate in the design of the mural, with participation relevant to their interests, capabilities and art practices.
The concept for the mural is informed by the three themes of the project, with the design workshop exploring local flora, fauna, buildings, objects, people and history.