Gertrude Street Projection Festival

If you’re in need of a guiding light on a chilly Melbourne’s evening, the annual Gertrude Street Projection Festival in Fitzroy returns this winter to warm eyes and souls.

The festival celebrates the often overlooked artistic channel of projection video art by encouraging emerging and accomplished artists to use the expansive buildings as a living canvas.

Presented by The Gertrude Association and helmed by creative producers Kym Ortenburg and Monique McNamara, the festival aims to shine a light on relevant issues within the community and the greater city at large.

Ortenburg says the reach of the festival is growing every year, with more community projects and established artists.

“It really brings everyone together,” says Ortenburg.

“We see a real mix of people in the street, everybody loves it because ordinary buildings and spaces just become these magical and often interactive art pieces.”

This year there are thirty-six locations operating across the Gertrude strip – with notable works including a collaborative piece between artist Nick Azidias, Yarra Youth Services and Angela Barnett, which sees the fourteen-story tower block of the Atherton Garden’s Housing Estate illuminated with cutting-edge projections.

A new addition to this year is the Festival Hub, operating from Gertrude’s Brown Couch, with an in-house events program offering master classes, music and mingling opportunities.

Running in the evenings from July 19 – 28, detailed information about the event times and artwork locations are published on the official website alongside printed programs and an app which can be used as guided tour. Remember to leave your light on.

For more information visit gspf.com.au