Kosar’s light touch

By MELISSA MEEHAN
KOSAR Majani’s artwork brings the streets of Dandenong to life after dark.
She describes her artwork as a modern take on the mixture of two cultures of her life – both Persian and Australian.
“I came here 11 years ago and it is such a different life, the culture, the people – everything was just so different,” she said.
“My main inspiration comes from living in two countries.”
Originally from Iran, Kosar said the clash of cultures gave her a lot to work with.
Standing with her son Yousif in front of her latest installation, she says she uses an array of multimedia to present her art work.
“This one is a picture of a mosque and there is another installation of a Persian rug too,” she said.
“I try to combine both cultures into my art and create something different, a modern take on Persian art.”
The Dandenong artist is just one of 45 taking part in a series of art projects
That incorporates eight-storey high art projections and popular guided night walks through the streets of Dandenong exploring art projects, light works and performances.
This temporary public art project is now in its sixth year, an eight-storey high art projection will once again appear on the side of a landmark Dandenong building at the corner of Thomas and Scott streets.
The event is made possible through a partnership with internationally renowned projection artist Ian de Gruchy who has worked throughout Australia, Europe and America.
The massive art work – using powerful projectors located half a block away – will feature the best images of the past six years from emerging artists and students whose memorable images have lit up the building facade.
The projections will be shown 1-15 June from dusk until 1am and can be viewed from five kilometres away, with best views from Thomas Street, Dandenong.
City of Greater Dandenong mayor Youhorn Chea said the project had become a much-loved feature of winter in Dandenong and attracted visitors from across Melbourne.
“Nocturnal combines artwork on two extreme scales – supersized work that can be seen from afar and small, intimate pieces that are encountered on the street,” Cr Chea said.