Social art installation The Purple Rain is the work of artist Konstantin Dimopoulos and explores the social phenomenon of homelessness.
Through his work, the artist tells the stories of people that have been directly affected by homelessness and who have moved from the uncertainty and vulnerability of the streets into jobs, academic learning and safe social environments.
Through the employment of both visual art and mobile technologies, Dimopoulos engages the viewer with these people, creating an effective interactive narrative told in first person.
He communicates the idea that homelessness does not mean hopelessness, making the unseen and unheard visible within the urban spaces through repetitive saturation of colour.
The Purple Rain is a metaphor, which highlights the growing social phenomenon of homelessness as a ‘downpour’.
The viewer has two options: they can choose to browse or take action – but at the very least, they can suspend judgement
The public art installation is a free event and no bookings are required.
For more information, visit www.thepurplerain.net
When: 14 May – 10 July 2015
Where: Multiple locations throughout Melbourne: St Mary of the Cross Square, Australian Catholic University, Brunswick Street near corner of Victoria Parade, Fitzroy; St Mary’s House of Welcome, 165-169 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy; STREAT cafes in Melbourne CBD, 5 McKillop Street, Melbourne Central, RMIT Campus; and PWC Building Southbank outside Fehily Contemporary, Glasshouse Lane, Collingwood