Tree CHANGE - Melbourne’s New Christmas tree

A Living Canvas: Uniting Melbourne Through the Christmas Tree

Christmas embodies the power of togetherness – expressed through song, acts of kindness, and the cherished moments of gathering with family and friends for festive celebrations and gift-giving.

It was this very essence of unity that inspired our redesign of the city square Christmas tree. We envisioned a tree that acts as a focal point, drawing together individuals from all walks of life and infusing the city with the spirit of the season.

Mindful of the project’s brief and prioritizing sustainability, longevity, and feasibility, our proposal reimagines the existing structure as a dynamic canvas using LED panels. This transformation allows the tree to become a powerful vehicle for delivering messages – messages of creation, welcome, and shared joy.

This digital canvas becomes a platform for the people. It can display any digital creation, fostering community expression, from the artwork of local residents to the imaginative drawings of preschoolers.

We recognize the transformative potential of LED technology and believe this is an exceptional opportunity for Melbourne to lead the way globally.

The City of Melbourne can curate content from artists, experts, and students, inviting them to share their unique Christmas messages. Our proposed design opens the door to a pre-Christmas festival of screenings, providing numerous opportunities for the community to come together and experience the creations of their peers.

The possibilities for engaging and interactive experiences are vast: short films, children’s storytelling, multilingual greetings, the projection of mobile messages, and even real-time glimpses from around Melbourne, Australia, and the world!

This proposal champions a collaborative vision – not a static artwork created by an individual, but a dynamic platform owned and shaped by the community.