An innovative, international artistic collaboration led by RMIT University and East China Normal University will be one of the highlights of Australia’s cultural contribution to the Shanghai World Expo 2010.

The Meridians – Shanghai 2010: Transdisciplinary Art and Sound in Public Space Project (Meridians) is a satellite site showcasing Victorian arts and culture through public art.

Meridians launches in Shanghai tomorrow, Tuesday, 18 May, during Victoria Week (17 to 22 May), at East China Normal University’s School of Art and was developed by RMIT postgraduate students Tammy Wong and Clare Leporati.

Coordinator of Public Art in RMIT’s School of Art, Geoff Hogg, said the project researched connections between public urban contemporary art and international collaborative practice.

“After months of hard work, the end result will be a unique and inventive contemporary art intervention that has been conceived and produced by an intercultural team of Chinese and Australian artists. It’s a fantastic example of the ways art can bring people together, building ties and establishing lasting connections through the creative process,” Mr Hogg said.

Australian lead artist and RMIT alumnus, Cameron Robbins, will create an installation made up of a series of complex, wind-powered drawing machines and is hoping to incorporate calligraphy into the work using Chinese brushes.

“This is the biggest and most elaborate overseas project I’ve worked on. After our initial research trip to Shanghai, the sheer complexity and scale of the city actually made me feel more ambitious. I felt I had to come up with something that reflected that sort of energy,” he said.

Mr Robbins has spent more than 20 years developing his unique outdoor drawing machines, which combine wind, paper, pen, pulleys, weathervanes and drawing arms to produce works that are literally created by the weather.

“The most exciting thing is coming back to see how the drawing has taken shape as there’s always a real element of surprise,” he said.

The Meridians project is in partnership with the Victorian Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (DIIRD). It is also supported by the Australian International Cultural Council and Australia China Council, initiatives of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.