Conversations about public dissent at Queen Victoria Market
A project by artist Katie Sfetkidis
Presented in collaboration with Testing Grounds
7 - 22 October 2023
A project by artist Katie Sfetkidis
Presented in collaboration with Testing Grounds
7 - 22 October 2023
This project is part of an ongoing investigation by artist & former Mayoral candidate Katie Sfetkidis, investigating the history of protest & public dissent. Did you know there was once a cemetery where we now stand? In 1921 the Old Melbourne Cemetery Preservation League formed a petition to oppose the building of the market on this site. In 1972, thousands of citizens across Victoria signed a major petition to stop the market being developed and since 2015 a group of dedicated activists has once again opposed the City of Melbourne’s’ proposed development of this site. Urban legends abound on the historical significance of both the market and this site. But what should be saved? And What should be done with the site into the future? Artist Katie Sfetkidis is here to talk. Have your say about Market Heritage, the redevelopment and history of this site. Sign one of the Petitions or start your own.
Photo by Marcel Feillafe
For two weeks, I inhabited an retired car park ticketing booth at the Queen Victoria Market. The booth became a site for political activation, research hub and site of public engagement. On market trading days, I sat at the booth, speaking with passers by about issues surrounding the re-development & history of the site both as a market and as a former colonial cemetery. These encounters, along with drawings & historical research were recorded into a petition style document which will be gifted to the City of Melbourne following the conclusion of the public intervention.
Video of Final Day, October 2023, Queen Victoria Market
Over the course of the two weeks, the research documents accumulated both inside & outside the ticketing booth. At the conclusion of the residency, the research was compiled into a document inspired by the Queen Victoria market Petition from 1972.
Photo by Alice Mulger
Photo by Alice Mulger
Photo by Alice Mulger
