The Project

So this is my theoretical project the feasibilty of which is based on two major factors

1. If Lonsdale House gets the go ahead and is going to be knocked down but i can gain permission for the project prior to demolition.

2. Obtaining the funds to undertake such a massive task

My project is set to be undertaken in several stages.

The first would be to visually delete Lonsdale House (without actually demolishing it) by painting it entirely black. This references its eventual demolition as well as the fact that the bottom section of it has already been painted black which i assume is an anti graffiti technique. you will have to excuse the dodgy photoshop work.....


Following this the second stage would be to apply gold leafed lettering over the black. This too would cover the entire building with a series of passages referencing the passing of time, progress and the pace of life.


In the third and final stage of my project i would then take on the inside of the building, inviting a number of artists to produce installations, murals and other such interventions. Each artist being assigned a room or space in which to create a work of art based on their previous artistic practices. This project would therefore convert the entire building into a temporary gallery, inside and out, filled with ephemeral art works. The space would then be opened to the public for a period of not less than a weekend opening on the Friday evening and running through to Sunday evening, however preferably to be open for two weeks after which the entire project would close its doors and then come tumbling down in a pile of rubble, making way for progress and the future ideals of the city.

Ill try to put together a budget for the project but i think i would be realistically looking somewhere between thirty and fifty thousand dollars for the exterior art work which includes materials, labour and scaffolding. On top of that i would have to look at a separate budget for the interior works as well as some nice documentation and catalogues. Possibly a one hundred thousand dollar project which is a little mind blowing of for some but its just a drop in the ocean for the developers. If your out there Myer executives, think of the great PR to be putting that sort of cash into the arts, particularly in this time of economic crisis!

If i had a serious gallery career underway i would fund the whole thing myself, Christo and Jean-Claude are my heros in that respect and this project doesnt even hold a candle to the sort of budget those kids deal with....so....anyone want to buy some paintings or drawings?