Melbourne's winter gloom will soon be pierced by the arrival of a flock of pink pigeons as part of young artist Omega Goodwin's city-wide mission to cheer people up.
The Pigeons of Melbourne project, funded through the City of Melbourne's Arts Grant Program, aims to uplift Melburnians and inspire optimism as the weather grows colder. Throughout June, 200 fibreglass pigeons will be placed at locations around the city centre to surprise and amuse Melburnians.
A long time pigeon aesthete, Mr Goodwin sees a unique beauty in Melbourne's maligned 'rats of the sky'.
"Pigeons are for the most part seen as an annoying part of everyday life but people overlook their beautiful form and the patterns they make when they fly in a flock," he said.
"This juxtaposition gets to the heart of this art piece - there is beauty in everything - everything has a silver lining.
"I chose pink because it is such a bright and uplifting colour. In America, some prisons paint the cells pink to make the inmates happier and I've heard of gridiron teams painting their change rooms pink to relax opposition players before games. I'm hoping the pink pigeons will have the same effect.”
Council's Community Services Committee chair Cr David Wilson said the project would provide some relief from the greyness of winter.
"This is really a good-hearted project intended to give people a lift. By highlighting beauty in the mundane and everyday, Mr Goodwin is telling us to remain hopeful and optimistic," he said.
Cr Wilson conceded the irony of Council funding the project.
"Considering the lengths the Council has gone to get rid of the real pigeons, not to mention the news of a lovelorn owl terrifying possums in Melbourne's parks, it's a relief to have some birds around that do nothing but raise a smile,” he said.
"Independent research commissioned by the Council[1] clearly shows that public art is a key ingredient for a vibrant, prosperous city - we take pride in the treasures people can find around Melbourne's streets."
Omega Goodwin received a Young Artist Grant of $3,600 for Pigeons of Melbourne and was one of 12 young artists who received grants in 2007 through the Arts Grants Program.
[1] 'Places for People 2004' by Danish urban designer Jan Gehl.
