Abstract

This proposal seeks to provide theoretical reflections and illustrative experiments for the creation of public art-works, intended more as spaces to interact with than simple objects to look at, for the City of Lake Macquarie, Australia. The aim is to provide an innovative approach through collaboration among university, city council and most importantly the local cultural community. The City of Lake Macquarie is formed by a series of small towns around the lake. Each town holds a rich historical and cultural background that is marginally recognized by a series of individual gestures. This proposal explores the potential of the lake, thus the water, to become the focus of a larger cultural plan. The project includes the design of a travelling floating pavilion on the lake and a series of permanent small pavilions or places of destination on its shores. The lake is interpreted as the fluid square of the City of Lake Macquarie and it is anticipated the travelling floating pavilion will become the catalyst of the numerous small centres connecting these places with the community through a series of artistic events such as small music or art and theatre workshops, discussion groups, poetry readings, author visits and book launches.