We acknowledge and pay respect to the elders, families and ancestors of the Bunurong and Wadawurrung people, who have been and continue to be the custodians of the land on which the Treatment Project creates.
The third installment of the ongoing Treatment public art projects, which engage with waste water infrastructure in Melbourne's Western suburbs.
17 March - 30 April 2023
Friday 17 March
Wednesday 5 April
NIGHT + DAY EVENT
21-22 April
Anindita Banerjee
Edwina Stevens
Eugenia Lim
Fiona Hillary
Georgina Lewis
James Nguyen
Linda Tegg
Mick Douglas
Peter Burke
Robert Andrew
Rogue Academy
Zanny Begg
Treatment III is the third instalment of an ambitious public art project at Melbourne Water’s Western Treatment Plant (WTP) in Werribee, first initiated in 2015. Focusing on the histories, technologies and communities of our wastewater infrastructure in Melbourne’s west, twelve leading and emerging artists from the region and across Australia will develop public installation, film, sound, sculpture, and performance works over the course of a month.
Expanding on this sustained exploration of the WTP, from 17 March Treatment III will also bring commissioned works to sites further north. Along the historical Main Sewer Outfall, artists Linda Tegg, James Nguyen, Robert Andrew and Zanny Begg will install and perform works at locations in Spotswood and Brooklyn, including the Pumping Station at Scienceworks.
Treatment III will ultimately culminate with a major new video commission by artist Eugenia Lim and a Night + Day event at the Western Treatment Plant which will run from sunset to sunset, April 21-22. Celebrating a day in the life of the plant, this event will draw attention to the way our wastewater technologies connect us all, using innovative public artworks to cast light on the important role they play in managing public health, the environment and our relationships with each other. Artists and performers in the Night + Day event include Eugenia Lim, Mick Douglas, Anindita Banerjee, Fiona Hillary, Edwina Stevens, Rogue Academy, local community groups and emerging creatives from the Wyndham and Wadawurrung communities.
Treatment III is curated by Public Art Commission (Deakin University) in partnership with Wyndham City and Hobsons Bay City, supported the West Gate Neighbourhood Fund, Melbourne Water, and Scienceworks Museum.
Treatment III: Night + Day is a unique event featuring 9 newly commissioned artworks to be experienced across the remarkable Western Treatment Plant in Werribee.
Celebrating a day in the life of the plant and responding to the extraordinary landscape, technologies and community surrounding Melbourne’s oldest and largest waste treatment facility, TIII: Night + Day will bring the site alive through live music, sculpture, film and performance works from sunset on Friday 21 April and sunrise on Saturday 22 April.
For those interested in contemporary art, we currently have opportunities to collaborate with artists James Nguyen and Georgina Lewis.
There are also a range of volunteer opportunities available for the Treatment III: Night + Day Event – a mini festival of innovative contemporary artwork taking place on 21 & 22 April at the Western Treatment Plant, Werribee.
Hobsons Bay City Council
Greening the Pipeline
Melbourne Water
Scienceworks
West Gate Neighbourhood Fund
Wyndham City
Cameron Bishop
David Cross
Lauren Clelland
Sarah Jones
Simon Reis
Rachel Morley
Maria Bates
Dennis Ioannou
Treatment III received funding from the Victorian Government through the West Gate Tunnel Project's West Gate Neighbourhood Fund. This project is also supported by Hobsons Bay City Council, Wyndham City, Melbourne Water, Scienceworks Museum and Greening the Pipeline.