City of South Perth bid to create the foreshore’s own ‘Hollywood sign’ as part of Instagrammable art

The South Perth foreshore could become WA’s answer to Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood sign. The City of South Perth is looking at installing an “Instagrammable” art piece that could be similar to the Hollywood sign on the South Perth foreshore in a bid to increase tourism. The council voted 7-2 at its July 23 meeting for a proposal from Cr Nicholas Coveney that the city consider hosting a temporary art event similar to Cottesloe’s Sculptures By The Sea, installing a permanent “selfie” art piece, or holding a water or light show on the Swan River. City CEO Mike Bradford will now prepare a report which will come back to council in December. “The best views of the CBD skyline are from the South Perth foreshore, but the foreshore is not included in the top attractions in Perth or Tripadvisor or the official Australian tourism website,” Cr Coveney said. “Local residents tell us they want activation of our foreshore and our precincts, and herein lies a raft of opportunities through art. “There are plenty of examples of successful artworks which have become international attractions and are of cultural significance to their location of residence; for example, the Hollywood sign, Chicago Cloud Gate and I Amsterdam. “Done properly with the CBD skyline in the background could be as synonymous with WA as taking a quokka selfie or (a selfie) at Kings Park, Freo or Cottesloe Beach.” Cr Coveney said the proposed water or light show would need to be explored with relevant stakeholders so it did not impede with the Swan River ferry network. Councillors Mary Choy and Andre Brender-A-Brandis voted against the proposal. “Respectfully, it is the view that this motion is unnecessary and not a priority for the community,” Cr Choy said. “I foresee it costing way more than what is sitting in the public art reserve, given what smaller commission sculptures and artwork throughout the city has cost. “The city and its residents are still experiencing economic turbulence and honestly, I do not think it’s a good look. “The city can’t seem to fund existing or new assets or allocate resources towards asset renewal projects for recreational facilities and other infrastructure that people actually use, rely on, or still want, but we can find the time and funds to debate the erecting of large words or more pieces of art on the South Perth foreshore.” Development and community services director Donna Shaw said the city might need State Government approval depending on the location of the proposed artwork. The artwork would also need to meet the city’s definition of “public art”. “What we’re really looking for there is artistic treatment of different features and pieces that are not mass-produced,” Ms Shaw said. “Instead (the artwork needs to be) more like sculptures, free-standing works, projections and things that are undertaken by actual artists as opposed to being manufactured, mass-produced artworks. “We would then also run it through our public art advisory group to receive feedback from those members to see whether the proposal was appropriate.”