For this Martin Parr inspired photography activity, my group and I chose to photograph bikes around Melbourne city, as they are a signifying part of the Melbourne identity and prove to be found scattered around almost anywhere. The photo of this “JESUS DIED FOR OUR SINS AND ROSE AGAIN” bike (pictured above) is a specifically iconic Melbourne bike that can be seen in various places around the city on different days.
There are many other signifiers in this photograph – the most obvious being the sign and the bike as a concept. Despite the obvious, this photo captures the statues of the lanky business men which can be found on the corner of Swanston Street and Bourke Street. These statues particularly stand out as part of the Melbourne city landscape, as most residents or tourists has crossed paths with these spooky statues at least once.
For me, the milk-crate attached to the bike can also be seen as a signifier, as I have witnessed them on many various bikes around around Melbourne. It seems to be a very ‘alternative’ look, in the way that Melbourne achieves so effortlessly (you will probably find more of them around the North side).
Greenery is also a huge part of the Melbourne city landscape, as no matter where you go you’re bound to find a tree, small section of grass, bush or a large park. The city never looks like a complete concrete jungle, and will almost always have a pop of green in the background.
