Art In The Open: Outdoor Art in Newcastle
Despite the slow stream of people heading back to work and the removal of all those jolly lights, the silly season is still with us (just). So my advice for urban insiders is to make hay while the sun (tries) to shine and hit the streets for some interesting cultural fresh air.
Bus Stop #200036
I love it when a little creative flourish slides past on the periphery or appears in my rear vision mirror. I like art to surprise, delight and intrigue me. And I love it when it makes me feel great about where I live and the community around me. So where do you generally find this type of art? On the street.
The best thing around town right now was a delight to stumble upon. It’s a bus shelter at bus stop #200036.
In 2008, Newcastle was host to a series of artist/architect collaborations – (the closest thing we’ve come to a Summer festival). My favourite installation was a bus shelter constructed on Hunter Street, Newcastle outside the Clarendon Hotel. A collaboration by architect Jo Vaughan and artist Victoria Lobregat it provided a cosy shelter for anyone waiting for the bus in a previously exposed space. I loved it, there was a nostalgic holiday house feel to the space and I couldn’t resist sitting inside and watching the world go past. Andnow it’s back and it’s now here to stay. When I chanced upon this, I stood in front of it and sent out a high-five to the City. Newcastle City Council, Landscape Architect Steve Manton, Jo, Victoria - I salute you for your contribution to providing pleasure to the people of Newcastle. Note to planners and public art administrators : You don’t have to get all earnest and site specific to create a sense of place.
Now take a walk up Hunter Street, go on, it’s not that bad. In fact, it’s fun and continually changing.
Morgan Street Murals (above and main image)
As part of the 2010 This Is Not Art festival, a street art program (walkARTbout) was developed by festival coordinator Simone Sheridan and curated by Carli Hyland. The street works were always intended to be temporary and scheduled for removal, however following requests by property owners, many have stayed. The most striking of these artworks are large scale showy aerosol paintings located just a short detour from the mall into Morgan street (this section of the project was curated by Simone Sheridan). This cluster of murals adjacent to the Renew Newcastle headquarters are colourful, brash and clever and do much to revive this once forgotten site. Credits to artists Dan O’Toole, Damien, Alex Ball and Ben Foster.
Images courtesy of Gerry Bobsien.
We stumbled across that gorgeous bus shelter recently and every time I see it I still break out in a smile.
great article Gerry! I think we should campaign to have every bus shelter a work of art. (seriously) Another reason for Newcastle to be on the map! Especially after the Lonely Planet guide will be sending hordes of international tourists to our gem of a city, and of course they will be frequenting bus shelters!