Are you from the Commish?
This presentation will explore images and representations of life on the Carlton Housing Estate in the context of a major redevelopment. It will explore culture, place, people and urban life through narratives and collective memories of tenants who are being directly and indirectly affected by the present redevelopment. Initiated in July 2006, this project is being produced by the City of Melbourne’s Community Cultural Development Program with the support of the Office of Housing. This project builds on the Relocated project the City of Melbourne produced in partnership with the Office of Housing and the Tenants Union of Victoria during the Kensington housing estate redevelopment between 2001 and 2004. As with Relocated in Kensington which spaned over 3 years, the City of Melbourne is dedicated to work long term with the Carlton housing estate communities. It is anticipated that the Carlton Flats Arts Project will span over the next 2 to 3 years.
The Carlton redevelopment will replace the 1960s walk up flats in Rathdowne and Drummond Street (136 flats) and Elgin and Canning Streets (56 flats). Demolition of the walk ups commenced on the 23 October 2006.
This is a developmental project that seeks to:
- Document the current redevelopment of this public housing estate.
- Involve current and relocated tenants in this process.
- Acknowledge the scale, impact and meaning of this redevelopment and the associated relocation of tenants.
Celebrate the contribution made by the communities living on the estate to Carlton and to Melbourne generally.
Demolition of the Walk Ups on Rathdowne Street commenced 23 October 2006, in time for the 2006 State Election campaign.Helena Spyrou is currently working as an artist in residence on the Carlton Flats Arts Project which aims to pay tribute to relocated and existing tenants at the Carlton Public Housing Estate. She has also worked as an artistic director/co-writer in the Saloni M project since 1998. This project has brought together both emerging and established artists (writers, musicians, dancers, film-makers) from Mediterranean backgrounds or with a connection to the Mediterranean collaborating across their art forms to conceptualise and facilitate thematic performances. Since 1998, Saloni M has presented 5 new artistic visions in performances and exhibitions which facilitate the breaking down of prejudices and stereotypes in a collaborative way and involving relevant communities.
Angela Bailey is a photographic artist with diverse experience in community-based work, including projects with housing estate tenants, textile workers, older adults, young people, asylum seekers and women prisoners. She is currently an artist in residence on the Carlton Public Housing Estate Arts Project. Angela has exhibited both solo and group based work throughout Australia and overseas and has work in collections, including the National Gallery of Australia, Queensland Art Gallery and State Library of Victoria. Her qualifications include Post-Grad Dip Fine Art-Photography from VCA and she is currently completing a Masters in Art Curatorial studies at the University of Melbourne. In 2005, Angela received an Australia Council CCD Skills and Professional Development award for to travel to the United Kingdom.