The Gertrude St Projection Festival

As part of the Melbourne Design Festival, Gertrude St turns into an outdoor digital art gallery during a few winter weeks between 20 - 29th July 2012.

The buildings come alive with light shows, projected animation and digital art that transform this funky Fitzroy shopping strip into a quirky after dark playground.

Many of the projections are sight specific and tell the stories of some bygone happenings in Gertrude Street.

They show the hidden history of the area. Even familiar surfaces, shapes and buildings you never particularly noticed transform into artworks.

It's the thrill of public art - you can walk, ride, drive and tram through these free outdoor installations - and each time it is a different and new experience. It is fun to notice the delight and surprise in people who habitually commute through Gertrude St and are caught by vivid images dancing across the buildings.

Projection Festival Art

The Projection Festival is an exhibition of experienced and emerging artists and the community. The local community is really a rich mix of cultures - Indigenous people, African refugees, artists and artisans, high-end boutiques, hipsters, students and professionals.

The Gertrude Association endeavours to explore this community and aims to resolve some of the social and cultural tensions that exist within.

Many of the art works in Gertrude Street are not just spatially moving but provoke us emotionally - some revealing Indigenous history, the hidden lives in the local Housing estate, as well as many creative imaginings.

There is a transformative power in these unsuspected lights and images - art and design able to move us and create community. Very much a Melbourne event not to miss!

Projection Festival Events

In true Melbourne style, the festival starts with an opening party on Friday night. You can also partake in one of the Gertrude Guided Art Tours, and the Gertrude Street hotels are in party mode.

Kutcha Edwards opens the festival on the 20th July with a night of aboriginal songs and stories. Everything kicks off at 7pm with food and fun for all!