TAKE a stroll down Darby Street in the near future and you'll be treated to a new sight - and sound - in the form of an oversized pair of headphones, standing upright.
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This unique stainless steel interactive musical sculpture, funded through council's Make Your Place grant program, is located in a small pocket park along Darby's restaurant row.
As people pass by the sculpture, triggering an infra-red sensor, it randomly selects a song from its database and starts playing music through in-built speakers.
The aim is to encourage passers-by to stay and enjoy the space and possibly to have a dance. The project's creator also envisions the sculpture as a Newcastle gig-space, as musicians can plug into it and use it as a PA (for a small fee).
Initial hours of operation are 8.30am to 10pm weekdays, and 8.30am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, however, the volume is to be no louder than general street noise.
As a champion of place-making, it's great to support local projects that activate public spaces in a fun and unique way.
Place-making brings people together and capitalises on their talents.
Many people have spent time, money and energy creating this project including Mark Tisdell (idea and inspiration), Tom Ireland (fabrication and design detailing), Sean Bell (graphics), Adrian Garner (electrical engineering), Brad Phillips and Rhian Leek (architectural design), with the support of the Darby Street Traders Group.
Go to newcastle.nsw.gov.au for information about the Make Your Place grants program.