Vegas, baby!
A bunch of workmen spent all day yesterday installing neon tubing and crazy coloured lighting in the alleyway behind Tapestry Craft. I’m not kidding. Apparently it’s to celebrate the “opening” of the lane (which is now to be called “Temperance Lane”) and it’ll stay up for three months. It’s like our own little bit of Vegas in an alley. The rumour is that this has something to do with Clover’s aim to develop Melbourne-style funky little laneways in Sydney, and that it cost $35K. Here’s my question: Why? Why celebrate the “opening” of a street that was already there? Why spend thousands of dollars on a tacky art installation that very few people will see and then turn around and tell us bus fare hikes are needed? Not happy, Clover.
Update: The new goss is that it might be for a movie shoot. Anybody heard what’s filming in town?
Way Later Update: Nope, it’s not a movie shoot. When I left tonight, there was a proud-looking guy taking photos out there. “But what’s it for?” I asked. “It’s an art installation to celebrate the opening of the new laneway!” he said. “See, we put up a sign with the new name and everything!” I frowned. “But… the lane existed before. It just didn’t have a name. I don’t get why we’re celebrating the opening of a lane that was already here.” He looked crestfallen and shrugged. I think I hurt his feelings. I still think it’s a stupid idea.
Bex
October 4, 2007 — 12:17 pm
Sounds cool!!!
(and I lurve the Melbourne laneways. They hold mini-concerts and arty type things in them)
Kris
October 4, 2007 — 12:21 pm
Yes, but Bex, you’ve seen ours. It’s an alley. Not remotely arty and cool, no matter how much neon they install!
Bex
October 4, 2007 — 1:59 pm
Maybe i’ll pay it a midnight visit with some spraypaint 😉
missyfee
October 4, 2007 — 4:01 pm
Clover and the council are not related to the State run buses and fare hike.
Kris
October 4, 2007 — 4:09 pm
Bah. It’s all THE MAN, Miss Fee! And he’s keepin’ me down!
Lisa
October 4, 2007 — 11:10 pm
I think it’s cool. It’s about celebrating the little bits that everyone takes for granted
http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/artandabout/EE/LiveLanes.asp
jp
October 4, 2007 — 11:26 pm
Speaking of art and about there was an artist out the front of AMP at circular quay painting what looked like medieval horses in armour in blue and purple this evening.
Looked great but a little odd.
Kris
October 5, 2007 — 8:11 am
AH, that’s it, Lisa! I should’ve looked it up myself. Good work.
I still think there’s a very fine line between an alley and a laneway. This one leads from George Street to the back door of a knitting shop and a printer’s. It’s often full of garbage, people having a smoke, and the occasional homeless person. It’s supposed to be no parking but during the day numerous delivery people treat it as a parking space. It looks NOTHING like the laneways in Melbourne, which is why it confuses me. Plus it’s so secluded that you can only see it if you’re walking past on George Street and happen to turn your head 90 degrees. It used to be more visible when people were coming in and out of the Mid City Center across the street, but that’s shuttered for the next three years for redevelopment. So even if you go in and love the art and get filled with the possibilities of Sydney’s revitalised, cosmopolitan CBD… you turn around and get confronted by a big stretch of boarded over shopping center. Depressing.