Global search begins for Metro Tunnel artworks

Global search begins for Metro Tunnel artworks A local, national and international search is underway for artists, painters and sculptors to create permanent public art for Melbourne’s new Metro Tunnel stations, with some of Victoria’s greatest creative minds enlisted to help select the artists. Six large-scale artworks, including five works within the new stations at North Melbourne, Parkville, State Library, Town Hall and Anzac and one line-wide commission, will become new landmarks for the city. A mix of Victorian, national, international and indigenous artists will be commissioned – either via expressions of interest or by invitation – to create iconic artworks that will complement the architectural design of the stations. Expressions of interest to create permanent art for the new North Melbourne Station on Arden St, State Library Station at the northern end of Swanston St and the line-wide commission are now open. Commissions for Parkville, Town Hall and Anzac stations will be via invitation, with shortlisted artists to be contacted in coming months. Each piece of permanent art will have distinct links to the area’s character and heritage. The Metro Tunnel Arts Advisory Panel, a highly credentialed group featuring leaders from Victoria’s creative industry, will be responsible for shortlisting and interviewing artists for all legacy pieces. For more information visit metrotunnel.vic.gov.au/about-the-project/creative-program/legacy-artwork Acoustic shed for St Kilda Rd As works progress to build the new Anzac Station, a temporary acoustic shed will be installed over the northern end of the St Kilda Rd work site from mid-year. The shed will serve as the launching site for two tunnel boring machines, to help minimise noise from the 24/7 tunnelling operations scheduled to start next year. Once the shed is built, the tunnel boring machines will be lowered into the excavated station box later this year and start tunnelling towards South Yarra as they create the twin tunnels. The acoustic shed will measure 16 metres high, 30 metres wide and 74 metres long, and feature a eucalypt base colour that is sympathetic to the surrounding environment. The acoustic shed that will be built over the Anzac Station site is one of six sheds that will be used to minimise noise, dust and disruption as we build the Metro Tunnel Project’s five new stations and twin 9km tunnels. For the latest updates on the construction of Anzac Station visit metrotunnel.vic.gov.au