Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Presgrave place - art

Presgrave place 001
Presgrave place 002
Presgrave place 003
Presgrave place 004

Tucked behind the Capitol theatre and little sister to the bigger Howey place, Presgrave place is a little functional laneway with a hidden secret. Pushka cafe (here's an Age review) has become unofficial custodian to Presgrave place and has done a mighty fine job of it.

The plant-life notwithstanding, Presgrave place comes to life with artwork small and large, classical and modern. The waterfall tiles take the red bricks back to nature and the little gallery of classical prints just shows that nowhere is safe from a little bit of creative refuge.

BTW I can't believe after six months of Googling Melbourne laneways I haven't come across this before. Laneway Magazine! Yes, a website dedicated to the humble Melbourne urbanite.

> LOCATE THIS (sorry, Google streetview, this is a strictly pedestrian haunt)

Monday, December 15, 2008

Banksy's art vandalised in Melbourne



Wow, only 10 days after my last post, and the gray ghost seems to have struck again, or has it? In my last post I mentioned the grey painted billboard on the corner of Smith and Gertrude streets, and it's resemblance to the Gray Ghost of New Orleans.

Well, I'm not sure if it is the same person, but it looks like someone has decided to get back at Banksy.

Back in August Banksy toured New Orleans and mocked the locally infamous Gray Ghost in a series of news stencils.

Now, as reported in the Age the Gray Ghost seems to have got one back.

Is this a random coincidence or a shot at the heart of the mythology being created around street art in Melbourne?

(Image linked from the Age)

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Smith and Gertrude Streets

Smith and Gertrude: Gray Ghost

Here's one from left field. Looks like the notorious Gray Ghost of New Orleans has struck in Melbourne. Only this time the table has turned.

The Gray Ghost of New Orleans usually covers up street art and 'graffiti' but this time the 'ghost' has hit what looks to be a legit billboard. Not sure what the billboard was but someone, possibly with a cheeky nod to the Gray Ghost, must not have liked it!

Can anyone solve this puzzle?