Community partnership celebrates iconic land art at Altona Treatment Plant
15 March 2023
Greater Western Water is proud to partner with Hobsons Bay City Council in its public art program "Dear Agnes," which pays tribute to a world-renowned piece of land art on our site.
In 1998, New York-based environmental artist Agnes Denes created and installed A Forest for Australia on land at the Altona Treatment Plant.
The 400x80 metre land art comprises 3700 trees of several different species planted in five circular spirals.
An aerial photograph of “A Forest for Australia” at the Altona Treatment Plant. The initial plan was for 6000 trees, however during the 1998 planting, the artist reduced this to 3700 trees.
A quarter-century on, A Forest for Australia is being celebrated through “Dear Agnes,” a series of public events being held over three consecutive weekends in March at Truganina Explosives Reserve in Altona.
The events centre around an exhibition of the work of 12 artists as a love letter to Denes’ Forest and its environmental surrounds.
As part of the program, we’re opening our doors to visitors to view theForest in a limited series of short tours.
In 2015, A Forest for Australia was rejuvenated following a period of drought and inhospitable soil conditions and is now thriving with the support of local volunteers and the Greening the West initiative. Greening the West helps facilitate tree planting that contributes to the cooling tree canopy in Melbourne’s west.
Photograph shows representatives from the partnership of GWW, RMIT University, Hobsons Bay City Council, Deakin University with members of the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation. Pictured is GWW Managing Director Maree Lang (second from left), Mayor Cr Tony Briffa JP (centre) and Richard Thomas (far right) curator of international art project The Bridge: Construction in Process, for which the Forest was created in 1998.
Greater Western Water (GWW) Managing Director Maree Lang said at the launch on Friday 10 March, “Dear Agnes," perfectly embodies GWW’s vision for thriving communities and Country.
“We’re so pleased to partner in this event that brings the community together in such an enriching way. The series of events Council is hosting are accessible and engaging – it really highlights that art is for everyone to enjoy.
“Supporting communities to thrive is a real priority for us at GWW, so participating in this project means a lot to us.”
Find out more
The "Dear Agnes," contemporary public art program runs from 10 to 26 March. Visit the official website to explore events including creative and environmental workshops, yarning circles and talks with the artists.