By Jessica Micallef
A final twist has been added to the Melton Highway level crossing removal.
Kyneton sculptor Jason Waterhouse has recreated the original boom gates in a sculpture installed under the new rail bridge.
The art piece, entitled Levelled Crossing, reuses the boom gates removed from the former Melton Highway level crossing, and ties them together in a knot.
Waterhouse said he wanted the boom gates to remain true to their function. “My practice deals with re-imagining real objects,” he said.
“And I thought, isn’t it hilarious that all this work goes into removing these boom gates.
“I was interested in the ironic idea of putting back the boom gates to the site after all the effort … which is what I’ve done.
“I just thought of the function of the boom gate – the opening and letting people through.”
Waterhouse’s concept was chosen by Melton Highway Level Crossing Removal Project members, Brimbank council, Creative Victoria and the Office of the Victorian Government Architect.
The sculptor installed the artwork in December last year under the eastern side of the six-lane bridge.
“The work provides viewers and commuters with a fun, engaging and slightly surreal experience as they pass through the space and encounter the sculpture,” Waterhouse said.
“Levelled Crossing is a playful take on the rail and road intersection history of the site and its recent urban development.”
