In this modern society of instant messaging, SMS and e-mail, human contact and conversation has slowly faded into the background of our everyday interactions – or has it? Artist Debbie Harman writes that Filling the Cracks with Conversation represents “a normal part of Melbournian life to insert little pieces of conversation wherever you can. Speaking to anyone and everyone, we generally love to chatter and to wish each other well.”

The great thing about this installation is what it triggers inside of us. All artwork, whatever its form, is based on personal experience and does something to all of us, but this work leaves a lot to the imagination. It reminded me of the little things we say that make up a whole day. All the small ‘how do you do’ and ‘take care’ that make up human communication. The little pebble-like stones put in the cracks of the pavement are like the fillings of our crazy life. Great things sometimes come in the smallest forms.

Installed all around Melbourne, you can track their progress on Harman’s Filling The Cracks With Conversation. Sign up and receive a notification whenever a new area has a ‘conversation’. You could just see the photos already taken and uploaded on the WordPress site, but what would be the fun in that?

There are no tours; part of the thrill is to stumble upon the gems by yourself. They are really small pieces so a keen eye and patience is probably needed. The photos provided on the WordPress site might help you locate the hidden words if you’re particularly lost. For the treasure hunt, bring a friend and explore parts of Melbourne you never realized were there and appreciate the city (or appreciate the city again if you’ve lived here all your life).

Filling the Cracks with Conversation exists around Melbourne.