Making freely available, accessible, public art playful and inviting is one of the major aims of creator Ian Pidd. He has a reputation for heightened and ecstatic public events like the OGOH OGOH burning ritual at Dark MOFO, the Rumble for the Unconformity, and his addictive community dance and rollerskating works with Everybody Now! This latest event is simple, spectacular, and enormous fun.
SWING was commissioned originally by City of Melbourne and the Naomi Milgrom Foundation to premiere in the Melbourne Fringe Festival 2023 and galvanised crowds outside the State library of Victoria and the street next to Footscray railway station. Commuters passed it and rode on it everyday, tram drivers mentioned it in their public announcements, tourists took video after video, people living on the street owned it and loved it. In Newcastle it took over the streets for New Annual Festival, In Adelaide it was part of Mental Health Month and drew people to Tarntanyangga/Victoria Square. As a central spectacle for Ten Days on the Island in Tasmania, it dominated Civic Square in Launceston.
The SWING has demonstrated impact for participants, with many going in their minds to a simpler time, to happy memories, or just enjoying the kintetic motion. The ride is surprising in its thrill, being large and high, but people are also placed in the centre of attention as they ride – applauded by strangers, celebrated and sung to.
Credits:
Concept and direction - Ian Pidd
Design - Studio Periscope
Build – Third Angle
Engineering – Tensys Engineering