Thaw
2021
; is a physical manifestation of the rise and fall of the Frozen Meat Export Company (FMEC) situated in a heritage bluestone building located in Pipemaker’s Park, Maribyrnong. A large factor leading to the company’s downfall was a failed export resulting in a shipload of frozen meat defrosting on its way to the shipping dock.
The project sees the revival of the now unoccupied building as a community Animal Welfare Hub, of which ‘Thaw’ permanently resides. The space encourages visitors to walk through the frozen ice block and melting sheep organs, the cause of the FMEC’s shortcomings. The Animal Welfare Hub will host advocacy exhibitions, films and shows supporting local creatives.
Over its 6 years of operations, the company killed a total of 220,000 sheep. The gruesome, confronting and large nature of the ‘organs’ aims to represent this information an intimate way, reminding viewers of the work that took place in the very building that they are standing in.
Within the ‘organs’ are communal netting spaces to enable discussions and activities concerning relevant activism. The space is transportive, both in terms of time, to the 1880s, when the company was founded, but also mentally, to the cruel, destructive nature of the meat industry, hoping to foster inspiration, education, and ultimately, change.
