Cities have long been portrayed as a landscape of possibility and progress in art. But they’ve also been at the heart of the Christian message of redemption, with God’s plan for a renewed creation taking place within the gates of a glimmering city.

For three weeks this Spring, Melbournians will be invited to tell a “Tale of Two Melbournes” at Federation Square by contributing to two large communal artworks to express what they love about Melbourne as it is, and a vision for the city’s future.

The event is being organised by the not-for-profit production company, Candlelight Productions, as part of the Melbourne Fringe Festival.

Candlelight is run by Christians, but welcomes volunteers from all backgrounds who are interested in how the arts can be used to build community and impact culture.

Candelight executive director, Eugene Wong

Candlelight’s Executive Director, Eugene Wong, says the ‘Two Melbournes’ event has a prophetic element.

“We’re encouraging Melbournians to remember why they love our city, and then take a sense of ownership over what it could become. This is our way of calling forth the destiny of Melbourne in anticipation of it coming into being.”

Members of the public will be able to choose from more than 100 materials to help build giant sculptures illustrating their hopes and dreams for the city.

Eugene says Christians are often tempted to care little for the present state of the world, as they long for heaven, but he says the reality of the kingdom coming on earth changes that.

“It’s ‘Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven’. The whole aim is that heaven be revealed on earth now.”

“The more vivid my image of what heaven could become, the richer my experience of earth is going to be as well, because I fully believe that it will come.”

He says the artworks are designed to tap into a subconscious longing people have for perfection on earth, but don’t necessarily know how to articulate.

“You can ask people for a vision of heaven and they will talk about people in white robes singing, but if you ask them about utopia, they come up with incredible visions and they don’t realise they’re talking about the same thing. We’re asking people to dream a utopian vision for Melbourne.”

Candlelight sees ‘A Tale of Two Melbournes’ as a gift to the city, as a way of blessing the city through art.

“For us as Christian artists in the marketplace, we want to see honour and dignity and humility through the arts. We want to see people healed emotionally, physically, spiritually through the arts,” Eugene says.

The company is looking for people to donate to the project, as well as sculptors who are interested in helping the artworks develop.

People will also be encouraged to think about the one thing they ca

n contribute to their vision, as well as post photos of their favourite aspects of Melbourne on Instagram under the tag #taleof2melbs.

A Tale of Two Melbournes will be held in the Atrium at Federation Square from September 27 to October 14.