Melbourne Daily Photo

Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.




Waltzing Australia

Tuesday 29 December 2009

The Public Purse

The Public Purse
A Calca red granite and stainless-steel sculpture, this wonderful piece of artwork was created by Simon Perry in 1994 and is one of the city’s most unique and distinctive forms of street seating. Appearing as if it is nothing more than an oversized dropped purse, the sculpture perfectly reflects its bustling retail district surrounds.

Located in Bourke Street near the intersection of Elizabeth Street, it sits outside the GPO - you can see the steps of the GPO in the first photo.

In creating The Public Purse, Perry was interested in making an object that would work both conceptually and poetically, while still addressing the context of the site. The Public Purse engages with its environment through its clear reference to the commercial nature of the area.

10 comments:

Bergson said...

money for every body in 2010

Jim said...

I remember seeing this in Bourke Street Mall and thinking it was a great installaton in the heart of the shopping district.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Miranda said...

That is so cool!

Leif Hagen said...

Is that YOUR moneybag, Blossom Flower Girl?!

Elaine Yim said...

It does look like a real purse!

brattcat said...

What a wonderful, functional piece of art!

Rob Siemann said...

That's really nice! Looks fuller than mine, after our french vacation!

Unknown said...

This is FANTASTIC! So very cool, just love it!

VP said...

This is wonderful and original, but I can't see it seriously as art...

Louis la Vache said...

Often disdainful of "modern sculpture," «Louis» finds this to be both relevant and amusing! ;-)

Re your little boxes, in fact the "little boxes" on the other side of the hill were the inspiration for a song about 30 years ago "little boxes, on a hillside, and they're all made of ticky-tacky and they all look the same"....

Melbourne Daily Photo

Hello, I created this blog because Melbourne is my city and I want people to see what a beautiful place it is. So come with me on a journey of discovery as we traverse the dining precincts, the culture, the laneways and hidden gems that make Melbourne marvellous.