Car Park Meters 1998

This work originated from a result of risk taking and rebellion against revenue for the government, and students getting a bit back from some greedy decisions derived from the Melbourne city council. The car park situation on Dodds street Melbourne, in front of the Victorian College of the Arts had become a bit of a nuisance to most of the students. Some of their lectures went longer than the car park meters allowed. It was a circle of simple studies to revenue for the government.

The car park meters had been covered heavily with an industrial strength glue and papier-mâché, speeding, parking, train ticket fines and infringement notices, warning notices and sheriff warrants. The colour of the paper, being so calming, consisting of pastel blues, pinks and yellows. For such a stressful situation when receiving these documents it is mentally confusing and peaceful in a weird way. At the same time the ripping of these official documents shows the aggression in which this artwork was to be received. Defacing these car park meters turned them into these ridiculous objects on the footpath with no meaning, no value. They had been highlighted, where otherwise you wouldn't blink an eyelid, unavoidable to the passers-by and now being absolutely useless at the same time.

This street art, act of vandalism, so called peaceful demonstration, created more than 24 free car parks for more than three weeks. This artwork functions on many levels, it being a practical vehicle for saving money, time and head-aches. It had changed the environment from dull grey car park meters to colourful, almost lollipop looking sculptures popping out of the footpath. But most importantly, the returning of these documents to an authority, in a way that benefited the students of the VCA in a short, but well deserved time.