Exploring the Role of 'Visual Catalysts' on Influencing People's Attraction and Use of Place

Figure 2.2 - A rudimentary framework <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> key attributes <strong>of</strong> creative placemaking
(The National Consortium for Creative Placemaking 2012) .
'VISUAL CATALYSTS'
Lydon and Garcia (2015) describe ‘visual catalysts’ as being <strong>the</strong> visual improvements that
humanise public spaces. Visual catalysts, being one specific form <strong>of</strong> creative placemaking,
are wide in scope; ranging from <strong>the</strong> graffiti <strong>of</strong> blank walls to installations <strong>of</strong> vertical artwork in
laneways. However, what makes this form <strong>of</strong> creative placemaking noteworthy is <strong>the</strong>ir claim
to act as stimuli for revealment and long term change through simple, and <strong>of</strong>ten cost effective
temporal interventionism.
As noted by Bishop and Williams (2012), ‘visual catalysts’ are able to achieve this through
<strong>the</strong>ir short term ‘punch’ - something which creates a noticeable mark in <strong>the</strong> public domain
and draws <strong>the</strong> immediate attention <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> community to facilitate discussion. In addition,
many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> forms <strong>of</strong> creative placemaking in Australia are ‘visual catalysts’. Yet, as it is
such a new phenomenon, little has been researched or written about <strong>the</strong>ir influence over
people’s understanding, and use <strong>of</strong> place; and whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong>ir influence translates to long term
outcomes for <strong>the</strong> betterment <strong>of</strong> place.
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