Bayside Council spends $155,000 on art trail in Hampton that includes old newspapers and dog bowls

DOG bowls, old newspapers and a discarded briefcase. You won’t believe how much a council in one of Melbourne’s richest areas has forked out in the name of art.

This sculpture of a stack of newspapers is part of Bayside Council’s $155,000 retail art project along Hampton St. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin.

BAYSIDE Council has splashed out $155,000 on sculptures of dog bowls, old newspapers, a discarded briefcase and a deck chair as part of an art trail in Hampton.

No, gran hasn’t left her shopping trolley behind. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

The Hampton St project, which consists of eight small bronze sculptures, 12 footpath engravings and 10 mosaic tiles, cost $94,500, with a larger-scale public artwork worth $60,000 to come next year.

The project is designed to “represent the history, memories and experiences of the great personalities, icons and events that have made Hampton St one of Bayside’s great destinations” the council says.

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But Hampton Street Traders’ Association president Rob Grinter said while the sculptures may look good, the project was expensive.

“We are both proud and fortunate to finally have some art in what is the civic centre of Hampton,” Mr Grinter said.

One of the sculptures in the $155,000 art trail in Hampton. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

“However, the fiscal cost and particularly the three years it has taken council to complete the project from its inception is certainly a concern.

“Installations of art always brings public conjecture and criticism, you either love it or hate it.”

It looks like an abandoned chair, but it’s art. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Ratepayers criticised the council late last year for spending $153,000 on Christmas decorations erected in shopping villages, saying they were “amateurish”, “disgusting” and an “embarrassment”.

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One’s a seat, one’s art. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Thirsty dogs are out of luck with this artwork. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Bayside infrastructure services director Steven White defended the project, part of an overall $2.2 million upgrade, which included road and footpath improvements, new tree plantings and street furniture.

“During the development of the trail council received both positive and negative feedback, as is expected for any project that interests a large number of people,” Mr White said.

Alessandra Edwards with her son Orlando, 3, look at the new mosaics. Picture: Josie Hayden

“The negative feedback was reviewed, however it wasn’t found to be in the majority.”

Bayside Mayor Felicity Frederico said the “whimsical” sculptures had been developed in partnership with the community, with a particular emphasis on children and families.

“Through investing in artworks that reflect our community and our history, council is working to reinforce Hampton St’s identity as a quality, destination shopping strip that offers a unique and distinct experience,” Cr Frederico said.