As leaves breathe for trees, do human lips, for us…

This is the principle behind a new art installation in Robertson Park as part of Orange Future City’s Public Art Project.

Brisbane-based creator, Kellie O’Dempsey, adds that, outside art is a great way to make it accessible for people who might not otherwise attend a gallery.

A sandwich board QR Code also encourages passers-by to enable an “AR” (Augmented Reality) component to fully experience the piece.

Giant Rolling Stones-style lips are the highlight of the installation embedded on a swamp white oak that was planted to honour the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.

Ms O’Dempsey explained the installation, “What Did you Say?”, also has a number of themes to do with how we treat our environment, but is essentially intended to be fun and engaging.

“They’re neon lips, designed to shine bright red, or a gorgeous pink,” Ms O’Dempsey explained.

“It’s got a message, but also a fun, poppy look to it… to be humorous and entertaining with an underlying visual concern,” she added.

The emblematic lips located high in the fork of the 70-year-old oak, Ms O’Dempsey explained, is a metaphor for the vital role of leaves for trees.

“The idea, is that lips that are inhaling in and out, are something like the stomata on the surface of leaves… microscopic breathing in and out.”

“It’s encouraging us to ‘lean in’ to our relationship with the environment… to stop and listen and ‘be’ in the park, not just go through it,” she added.

The work, she added, took 6–12 months to conceive and complete, with “a few hiccups from the dreaded uncertainty” of the pandemic lockdowns, she added.

For full immersion in the experience, visitors are encouraged to go to their devices and interact with the work.

“We have an ‘Augmented Reality’ component via a sandwich board on the site,” Ms O’Dempsey said.

“By activating the QR Code, this enacts a playful, flirting element in the space, it’s a lot of fun.”

With local links to the Central Tablelands, including having worked at Bathurst Regional Gallery, she strongly supports Council’s Future City Public Art Project including the much-criticised “golden spheres” project.

“I love the ‘golden balls’, the playfulness of it in public places. It becomes a great, immersive way to share stories and pictures on new ideas and concepts.

“It makes you open to new experiences and ideas, it’s so accidental and draws people who would otherwise not go to a gallery to see a show or exhibition,” she explained.

The new exhibition will “light up” Robertson Park between 7.30pm and midnight, starting today, Thursday, October 20 until Sunday, October 30.