Ghosts of Melbourne past haunt new Docklands sculpture park by Callum Morton

People enjoy the new Monument Park in New Quay, Docklands. Photo: Jason South

Sledging Docklands as a "ghost town" has new meaning, with the launch of a colourful sculpture park by artist Callum Morton in the New Quay district.

"I want the ghosts of the Hoddle Grid, of Melbourne past, to call out to Docklands and say 'come to us, be a part of us'," Morton saidat the launch of the 2000-square-metre permanent public art installation, dubbed Monument Park, which has been bank-rolled by the Buxton family development company MAB.

"Critically we wanted to emphasise the idea that Docklands should be regarded not as an isolated precinct but as an extension and an integral part of the City of Melbourne proper. The ground plane is imagined as a concrete carpet derived from the original Hoddle plan that is draped across the side, rising and falling as it covers an arrangement of objects," he said.

People enjoy the new Monument Park in New Quay , Docklands. Photo: Jason South

The park, which Morton said was not seven works but one map, has been made for sitting in, playing with and walking around, he said. Even as it was being launched, workers had adopted the space for their lunch break.

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"The word interactive is a funny one, but I wanted to make these cave-like areas inside.I love the idea that what you might think of as an art object becomes a piece of outdoor furniture as well."

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Ghosts of Melbourne past haunt new Docklands sculpture park by Callum Morton