OddSocks at the Melbourne Fringe Festival: A methods paper for using an arts installation in promoting public health

Abstract

Installation arts involves using everyday objects and spaces in an unusual way to gain attention and encourage interaction. While arts-based projects have the ability to inform and provoke interest, few have focused on public health. Oddsocks was conceived as a public health installation as part of the annual Melbourne Fringe Festival, with a primary aim to raise awareness concerning the importance of exercise and foot health. Promoting such underserved public health issues creates specific challenges which have been typically under-reported. This methods paper focuses on how these challenges can be met through arts-based initiatives and arts-based inquiry. © 2008 The Authors. Journal Compilation © 2008 Public Health Association of Australia.