Public Art In Bars And Nightclubs

Art is no longer confine to the walls of galleries

, writes Nastasia Campanella. For a long time now, artists have sketched, painted and drawn pieces on the walls of pubs, bars and clubs. "It's a way of showing the talents of some of the best unknown artists," said Simon Mercier owner of Name This Bar. Mercier runs two Sydney establishments, one is a pub named the White Horse and the second, Name This Bar. "On the walls of Name This Bar, we have a work called secret wars from an artist from London," said Mercier. "I went to the UK, saw the concept and then wanted to have it in my own venue."

Secret wars is a live art battle where competing artists get 90 minutes on the playing field. Armed with their markers, they have the freedom to draw what ever they want or feel at the time. "It's about opening every day ordinary people to the possibility of art," Mercier said. "I like to sit back, watch everyone get creative and then laugh, cry or marvel at the results."

Mercier's establishment isn't the first to take on this arty approach in Sydney. Kings Cross bar, the Sugarmill has opened up what is now known as Absolut Stairwell Gallery with a similar focus. The stairwells of this bar are lined with works from professional painters and photographers. This initiative to get art into public places was set up by Dialogue PR as part of their "Dead Space Living Artists", campaign. "We wanted to take unused spaces and convert them into cultural hubs," said Justin Levy from Dialogue PR. "We have the view that the more people see the art, the better."

Monthly, the Sugarmill's gallery hosts artists and their work in the form of photography, paintings and graffiti. "We've found this gallery has a real difference and has been a true success," said Levy. "People are saying we need more places like this in Sydney."

Dr Francis Maravillas, Professor of Cultural Studies at the University of Technology Sydney [UTS], said this space is challenging the norms of how urban spaces are understood and represented. "By opening up a new possibility of experiencing and inhabiting those spaces, artists and cultural practitioners like Dialogue PR are creatively engaging and intervening in Sydney's cultural geography," she said. "Access to art exhibition spaces encourages communication and participation in art and cultural activities."

by: Nastasia Campanella

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