08 October 2009

Raising the 7 Metre Bar

In one of Sydney's many under-utilised laneways, as part of the By George! Laneways program, the 7 Metre Bar explores responses to climate change.

As the effects of climate change become harder to ignore, so too does the inaction of the majority of the world’s population. 7 Metre Bar is a temporary installation created from the detritus of contemporary life that is designed to draw attention to this culture of apathy.

Created by artist Richard Goodwin, 'gamer' Russell Lowe and landscape architect Adrian McGregor, 7 Metre Bar is one of eight laneways in Sydney’s city centre that have been transformed by By George! Laneways as part of Art&About 2009.

The bar in Underwood Street sits at an elevation of 7 metres above sea level, marking a possible worst-case sea level rise by the turn of the century. Cars, boats, street signs and mannequins have been used to create the bar, and cocktails are served in hot chip buckets and glass jars – the materials a reflection on the waste that would be washed into the city in the presented scenario.

Projected onto the wall of the laneway is a digital representation of the bar itself, but with rising waters and violent weather. Computer gaming technology is used to unite digital imagery with filmed reality, and the result is a confusing and disturbing alternate reality.

The By George! Laneways projects is a step toward the invigoration of Sydney’s neglected laneways – other laneway installations include a pocket size open air cinema, and a collection of fifty birdcages emitting sound.

The temporary artworks will remain in place until January 2010.'¨'¨'¨

lanewaysbygeorge.com.au