Incinerator Gallery and Monash University’s Faculty of Art Design and Architecture (MADA) reimagine our public spaces by blending art, play, and design
Media release:
Incinerator Gallery and Monash University’s Faculty of Art Design and Architecture (MADA) reimagine our public spaces by blending art, play, and design
Incinerator Gallery x MADA Talk Series launches trailblazing collaborations with leading international and Australian creative visionaries Gabriela Burkhalter, Daniel Baumann, Mike Hewson, Mary Featherston, Emily Floyd, and others.
Incinerator Gallery is thrilled to announce its Education Partner, MADA (Monash Art, Design, Architecture), for its flagship international exhibition, The Playground Project Melbourne, celebrating the history, imagination and possibility of playground design from 28 June – 12 October. This exciting partnership between Moonee Valley City Council (MVCC), Incinerator Gallery and MADA, will deliver a three-part public program at the former Maribyrnong Park Bowls Club and will investigate the role of suburban revitalisation, offering insights into creative placemaking and community development.
Incinerator x MADA Talk Series kicks off during Melbourne Design Week on Friday, 23 May 2025. The first event, ‘Grounds for Risky Play’, delves into a century of playground design. Local artists, designers, and urban planners will present case studies including The Cubbies (Fitzroy), Venny (Flemington), nature play at Royal Park (City of Melbourne), and Incinerator Gallery’s new playground by BoardGrove Architects (Moonee Valley) Visitors will have the opportunity to discuss play and mobility with MADA academics and Barking Spider Creative. The event will be chaired by Associate Professor Spiros Panigirakis, Head of Fine Art, MADA and feature a keynote by artist Mike Hewson (Rocks on Wheels, 2022) who will explore the value of good design and risk-taking in child development and urban planning.
Chair of the event, Associate Professor Spiros Panigirakis, Head of Fine Art, MADA said:
“Through playground design, artists and designers have the power to experiment how play is conceived and valued. ‘Grounds for Risky Play’ encourages dialogue around creating environments that inspire artworks, playgrounds and spaces of learning and risk.”
Moonee Valley City Council Mayor Ava Adams, said:
“MVCC is excited to partner with MADA. This collaboration showcases the potential of playful installations, illustrates how playgrounds can transform suburban environments, and promotes our vision for art and culturally-driven urban regeneration.”
Next in the Incinerator x MADA Talk Series is ‘Art & Play’ on Friday, 4 July where renowned artist Emily Floyd will converse with designer and educator, Mary Featherston about Art, Activism & Pedagogy and their contributions to The Playground Project Melbourne exhibition.
Chair of the event and Interim Head of Architecture, MADA, Associate Professor Kathy Waghorn said:
“I am excited to be chairing the ‘Art & Play’ event as it offers a unique opportunity to think expansively about designing play spaces and the potential that art and activism have as part of civic learning.”
The keynote of the second Incinerator x MADA Talk Series will be delivered by The Playground Project’s exhibition curator Gabriela Burkhalter, in conversation with Daniel Baumann, the original project commissioner and former Director of Kunsthalle Zurich; both are flying in from Switzerland to mark the launch of the exhibition at Incinerator Gallery.
The Playground Project Melbourne Incinerator x MADA Talk Series Line-up:
EVENT 1: Grounds for Risky Play
Friday, 23 May 2025, 4pm – 7pm
Part of Melbourne Design Week
EVENT 2: Art & Play
Friday, 4 July 2025, 4pm – 7pm
EVENT 3: Suburbs, Recreation, Ecology and Culture
Friday, 10 October 2025, 4pm – 7pm
The Playground Project Melbourne is proudly presented with support from Major Partner Jellis Craig and Jellis Craig Foundation, and Education Partner, Monash Art, Design and Architecture (MADA).
The Playground Project lands at Incinerator Gallery from 28 June to 12 October 2025. Kids go free, and tickets for parents and guardians are available here. The Incinerator Gallery x MADA Talk Series at the Maribyrnong Park Bowls Club is free for all. Register here to secure your spot.
Notes to the Editor:
The Playground Project
When: 28 June – 12 October 2025
Where: Incinerator Gallery, 180 Holmes Road, Aberfeldie, Melbourne / Naarm, VIC 3040, Australia
Tickets: $25 adult, $15 concession, MVCC resident discounts apply // Kids under 12 free with adult supervision (max 3 kids per adult)
Exhibition Catalogue: AUD $115 (on-site sales only)
More information is available at playgroundproject.com.au
About The Playground Project Melbourne
The Playground Project is a travelling exhibition, informed by Swiss urban designer and political scientist, Gabriela Burkhalter’s groundbreaking research (architekturfuerkinder.ch) about the theory and practice of playground design. Melbourne’s iteration The Playground Project Melbourne, will show from 28 June to 12 October 2025, and it is a collaboration between Moonee Valley City Council, Incinerator Gallery, Kunsthalle Zurich and guest curator Gabriela Burkhalter, with education partner Monash Art, Design and Architecture.
About Incinerator Gallery
Established in 2011, Incinerator Gallery is a platform for unique cultural experiences that connects society through art and design. It is a leading contemporary cultural space in Melbourne’s north-western suburbs, fostering design exploration, social interaction, discovery, knowledge sharing, learning and community development. A platform for unique cultural experiences that connects society through art and design, it welcomes communities, art professionals, students and people of all ages interested in art and design.
Media enquiries:
Deveta Patel, Coordinator, Communications
Mobile: 0416 487 886
Email: dpatel@mvcc.vic.gov.au