Proposition : To instigate an intervention within the Devonshire street tunnel that promotes interactivity between the users of the tunnel and the workers (the buskers) via contemporary technology that is employed as an agent for change.
Context : The Devonshire st pedestrian tunnel bridges the urban divide of the city railway network, physically connecting Surry Hills in the east with Haymarket and Ultimo in the west. However it is also a significant gateway to the city, directing commuter traffic from across the Sydney metropolitan area with the top of George St, UTS, Ultimo Tafe, Sydney University and the entertainment precincts of the Sydney sporting grounds and Fox Studio complex.
Built around 1906 when the current Central Station was opened, the Devonshire street tunnel follows the line of the former Devonshire street. As a long underground pedestrian passageway with facilities limited to the entry and exit, it is a remarkedly ‘blank’ space with a single purpose of transfer. The walls of the tunnel were once host to a combination of amateur and street art. In 2006 the street art panels were replaced with photos (manipulated to appear like paintings) celebrating the railway. All alternative and political murals were removed.
The tunnel has long been an important venue for buskers who are able to access a steady stream of passersby. (In 1998 research revealed that around 6,000 people an hour pass through the tunnel). http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/PARLMENT/hansArt.nsf/V3Key/LC19980528007
The music offers some sense of passage and temporality to the experience of moving through the tunnel although the repitoire is tired, limited to a handful of hits from the 70’s.
Concept : To create performances within the tunnel that are the result of audience input. To create nominated periods for these performances that might effect occupation of the space of the tunnel.
Realisation: A number of busker’s will be approached about participating in an event that will involve performing songs that are nominated annonymously by their audience. The audience will be invited to text a ‘special request’ to a mobile phone number in the possession of the TACK group. TACK will source copies of the most requested tunes and distribute to the participating buskers. The buskers will add the chosen songs to their repitoire.
The ‘play-list’ will be performed at a nominated time.
It is assumed that the audience will respond more positively in terms of donations given a more direct engagement with their music.
Device: The mobile phone.
Graffiti Tactic: Ambiguous / provocative advertising will be placed in the Fx magazine (free mag handed out to commuters at the entrance to the station).
The first ad will contain the mobile phone number. A follow up add will promote the performance.
The advertising itself becomes a reason to pick-up the magazine. (This will be used to leverage free advertising space).
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