It’s hosted everything from tennis courts and food festivals to Fringe time croquet clubs, and now the redeveloped Victoria Square is set to become an open air arts market next year.
Spearheaded by Adelaide creative Driller Jet Armstrong with the support of Splash Adelaide, the Victoria Square Art Market will fill the city’s centre with stallholders, artists and keen art lovers in March 2015. The project is the latest Splash Adelaide initiative to put art in public places, with this month’s Stop! In The Name Of Art installation turning Rundle Mall into an ad-hoc gallery space.
While he is perhaps better known as the brains behind Adelaide nightlife staple Sugar, Armstrong has always maintained a close connection to visual art. First exhibiting in 1985, Armstrong also designed the official Adelaide Fringe poster in 1990.
According to Armstrong, Victoria Square will be transformed into a “temporary bohemian village” drawing inspiration from sources both local and international. “I’m inspired by Montmartre in Paris and the Gilles Street Markets here in Adelaide,” he told us.
“It will allow people to find fabulous artwork for their personal spaces, for their office spaces without having to pay a gallery commission,” he said.
Despite occasionally voicing his disappointment with aspects of Adelaide’s newfound pop up culture, the new venture will be the latest in a successful string of events to breathe life into the revamped space. With DJs, gourmet food and dance group The Soul Council already booked, the event will roll on until 10pm in keeping with Armstrong’s previously stated opinion that ad-hoc enterprises should not have a negative impact on existing bricks and mortar businesses.
Armstrong is optimistic it will be a great exercise in stripping back some of the insularity and formality of the art world that might discourage the average South Australian from getting involved and supporting local producers.
“People can meet the artist themselves, have eclectic discussions on art and culture and find some hand made or Adelaide designed clothing or jewellery.”
Artists and potential stallholders can get in touch at the Market’s Facebook page to register or seek more information.
Victoria Square Art Market will run from 10am-11pm on Saturday March 21, 2015
What
Victoria Square Art Market
Where
Victoria Square
When
Saturday March 21, 2015
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