Monday 8 March to Sunday 14 March 2021

Theme: International Women’s Day
Artwork: The UNSEEN Chrome Car
Artist in Residence: Belinda Mason
Location: Circular Quay Sydney (opposite Customs House 33 Alfred St)

The first week of the UNSEEN project was a resounding success. The UNSEEN Chrome Car was positioned at Circular Quay, Sydney between 8 -14 Match 2021. Over 8 million people read the article by journalist Freya Noble which was published on 8 March 2021 to coincide with the launch of UNSEEN on International Women’s Day. The UNSEEN website had 6,500 page views that same day. The location of the UNSEEN Chrome Car, which sees traffic from the light rail, ferry and train stations, saw 300 people engage with the project daily. Even the rain on the final day didn’t stop engagement. The QR code which was a ground decal at the installation was activated 118 times and directed audience members to the website to learn more about the project. During the week, many women unexpectedly came forward and shared their stories of homelessness and housing insecurity. These women emerged out of a crowd which they visually blended into. Their presence reveals the hidden nature of women and homelessness and their fear of stigmatisation was voiced clearly. Men also came forward,  mostly expressing understanding. The few that didn’t changed their minds when they were alerted to the fact that homeless women often sleep with their children in their cars, and run the risk of their children being placed in care. We had great news with the UNSEEN Project forum being accepted as part of the VIVID Ideas Festival in August 2021 and the UNSEEN Project’s exhibition in NSW Parliament House in August was also approved and will update you with these plans.  The calendar of events is beginning to fill, so pease let me know what activities you would like to hold or engage in. This link takes to what’s on and where for the whole project https://unseen.house/the-exhibition/calendar-of-events/

Media responce:

UNSEEN Media International Women’s Day 8 March 2021
Online Print Media Radio Television
Channel 9 News 2GB News ABC News
Artist Profile Magazine ABC Radio National News
Sydney Morning Herald 2SER News

 

 Links: activities with the UNSEEN car in Circular Quay:

Thank you to Share the Dignity for providing the gifts of beautiful handbags filled with goodies for the women who are participating in UNSEEN as part of their ‘Its in the Bay’ initiative.

Thank you to all those who made March’s activation possible:
  • The participants of the UNSEEN project, Noor, Nadeena, Fiona, Emily, Lani, Amy, Teora, Jai, Michelle and Susan
  • City of Sydney for their support of the project
  • Women’s Electoral Lobby for the many volunteers who gave their time to answer question from the public about women’s homelessness.
  • Soroptimist for the many volunteers who gave their time to answer question from the public about women’s homelessness.
  • Auto Skin sponsorship of production of the UNSEEN Car art installation
  • AccessMySuper for their financial support of the UNSEEN Car
  • Code Green for their financial support and design of the UNSEEN Tiny House
  • Primary Communications for securing amazing mainstream coverage of the events
  • Artist Profile and Art Almanac magazine for their articles and social media support
  • Bonnie Support Services for supporting Noor to participate
  • Homelessness NSW for supporting Lani, Teora and Nadeena to participate
  • Homelessness in Focus for supporting Michelle and Jai to participate
  • Women’s Housing NSW for supporting Amy, Fiona, Susan and Emily to participate
  • Share the Dignity for providing the wonderful gift bags for all the women who participated
  • DV West, Haymarket Foundation, DV NSW, Namaste and Older Womens Network for sharing information about the project
  • Simpsons Lawyers for supporting the project
  • Martin Vosatka for his graphic design talents
  • Spark Homes for building the UNSEEN Tiny House
  • AWS for supplying all the windows for the UNSEEN Tiny House