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Townsville’s main promenade, The Strand, was once again the setting for the biennial Strand Ephemera, an exhibition of temporal works of public art. On balmy clear nights we found many people exploring the parklands, looking for the twenty-two artworks which were spread out over the 2.2 kilometre beachfront parklands.
Temporal public artworks are a particular genre. They require skill to achieve a site-responsive work within a limited time and budget. They often rely on the quality of an idea or site interaction more than the quality of material or finish.
Strand Ephemera places public art at the nose of everyday residents who take their daily walks along The Strand. It would be interesting to know how many locals had followed the trail of art installations, but had never visited the City Gallery.
This year’s event featured a smaller number of works than in prior Strand Ephemera. The Perc Tucker Regional Gallery organised the event and curated three pieces. One of the points of focus this year has been to increase public interactivity. A comprehensive children’s education programme and numerous artists’ workshops were thus a feature. Well produced booklets and excellent teacher notes allowed the public to understand the artworks and to follow the trail with ease.
The curatorial process involved artists submitting proposals for artworks twelve months prior to the event. Twenty-two artists were awarded a $1,000 commission to assist with implementation, and artists were invited to facilitate children’s and artists’ workshops and public talks. Sponsorship included the shipping container by a local shipping broker.
Dominating attention by virtue of its size and coppery detail, a giant crayfish named The Cray, by Amanda Feher, clambered up a boulder groin