Wyndham council has dumped more than $26,000 of ratepayers money into an exhibition celebrating the Werribee tip.
The funds included $11,739 for one artist, Steven Rhall, to live in a van at the tip for three months to depict changes at the refuse disposal facility through a series of 3D prints and large-scale photos.
A second artist, Karen Casey, was paid the same fee to produce aerial images of the tip.
The exhibition, titled Wadda Loada, will make its debut at the Wyndham Art Gallery on November 8.
Wyndham arts portfolio holder Tony Hooper said the exhibition would cast a new light on the tip.
“Karen has captured aerial images of the facility using a drone, complete with the myriad of bird life inhabiting the site,” Cr Hooper said.
“The tracks left by trucks are woven into a moving magic carpet of images, while birds lifting off in choreographed patterns become mesmerising video artwork.”
Wyndham city life director Jenny McMahon said the council spent about $26,000 on the residency, exhibition, installation, marketing and opening costs.
She strongly denied suggestions the residency and exhibition was a move to divert attention away from the council’s plan to expand tip operations.
“Rather, the intention was to shine a light on the impacts and implications of living in a municipality with a refuse disposal facility and to promote community conversation about waste and consumption while at the same time provide a unique view of what we throw away as seen through the eyes of artists,” Ms McMahon said.
“The site was chosen because it provides a rich environment to inspire artists. The work in the exhibition draws out the beauty of the site from perspectives which are not usually available for public view.
“The idea for this residency was initiated in 2016 and is part of a broader program that seeks to place artists in unusual places in the municipality, with a view to provide an artistic response to those sites.
“This residency has evolved following an initial residency project at the Western Treatment Plant in 2015, in addition to two public art events produced in partnership with Deakin University.”
As reported by Star Weekly, Wyndham will be home to five tip mountains during the next 26 years after the Environment Protection Authority gave the green light to open four new landfill cells at the Werribee tip.
