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By Sarah Harrison
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TABLE of
Table of Contents 1
Editorial 2
Street Art 3-4
Street Celebrity 5-6
Street Pavement Artist 7-8
Street Artist 9-10
Street Musician 11-13
Street Performers 14-16
Street Issues 17-18
Street Protest 19-20
Street Scape 21-22
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EDITORIAL
The streets around us are filled with art, music and people’s difficulties. These sights inspire, amaze
and sometimes sadden the people
who see, listen or watch them.
They contain all sorts of things from
street art, to homeless people with
no other option but to sit at the
side of the street and beg.
We do not always choose or even
want to see these things but they are
still there and are everywhere we go.
A famous quote from Shakespeare
was “All the world’s a stage and all the
men and women merely players” as
he said, we all have our important parts in life, even if we don’t realise it, we all bring something new to
the world. It could be the smallest but most meaningful bit of new graffiti or a guitar player with slightly
different tunes. Because there is never one right way of doing things just as there is no one way of
expressing yourself. Every way is different but still
unique and important.
It is important to open your mind to every new
way of expressing yourself even if you do not
necessarily approve of it as some people don’t
approve of graffiti or some strange type of music.
No matter how strange some people can seem to
you they are all important in this world and have a
right to show that. You have to accept everyone for
themselves even if you do not like the way they look
or some of the things they do. Of course it may still not be right to graffiti other people’s
property if they do not want you to but still everyone in this world needs to be more
understanding. So this magazine is to show you a different way of looking at everything.
Editor: Sarah Harrison
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STREET
Hosier Lane is one of the most
well-known laneways
in Melbourne because of its
street art. It features
work of all different kinds of
street artists and has
some of the most amazing
street art in Melbourne.
It is located near Flinders
Street Station and is one of
the only places in Melbourne
where street art is legal.
It is also home to ‘the living
room’ which is a health
project run by youth groups for homeless people, and since it is legal to do street art there it is also used
by many artists to display their work.
It can be slightly different every time you visit because of the ongoing art that is sprayed onto its walls
nearly every day. Tourists from all around the world visit this
lane when they come to Melbourne and it is often said that no
trip to Melbourne would be complete without going to Hosier
Lane.
It has become a popular spot for wedding and
fashion photography and is also the place to go if
you like upmarket cocktail lounges such as Misty
and MoVida. However, although many see it as
an amazing place representing some of
Melbourne’s most beautiful art, others see it as a kind of vandalism that has no place in Melbourne’s
culture. But what is hidden behind colourful pictures is a more serious message, often political and
showing the worries or thoughts of the artist.
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The perfect example
of this was in late
2012 after a woman
named Jill Meagher
was raped and killed,
an unknown artist
showed his sadness
through his art. He
sprayed ‘rest in peace
Jill’ in giant letters on
the walls of Hosier
Lane. This is how
many artists manage
to portray what they
think. Instead of just
saying there thoughts it is easier and more noticeable to paint them. Through this they show a new
unique way of thinking that people may not ever have been seen before , or make people question
things they have never thought about before. But although this one of the most amazing places of street
art in Melbourne it is not the only place and there are amazing pictures are sprayed all over Melbourne,
hidden in back streets and alleyways.
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STREET
Banksy is a well-known but mysterious artist, who has work sprayed in many parts of the world. His
work is done in a distinctive stencilling technique that often has a deeper meaning to it than just a
picture on a wall. He was born in England in 1974 and raised in Bristol. He then trained as a butcher but
later became involved in graffiti after being inspired by some local artists.
He started off doing his graffiti
free hand but then changed to
stencils when he realised how
much quicker it was. He says he
was inspired to do stencils from
one time when he was under a
rubbish lorry hiding from the
police. He noticed the stencilled
serial number and decided to
try doing his art like that.
He is known to strongly
disagree with the government’s
thoughts of graffiti being a form
of vandalism. He often even
adds 3d pieces to his graffiti. He
has made a movie called ‘Exit
Through the Gift Shop’ and was
nominated for an Academy Award and wrote a book called ‘Wall and Piece’In 2005 with the help of
some friends he smuggled his work into four American museums without being caught and left it there
on display. He also did a similar thing in Paris and
London.
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Even though he doesn’t sell his art, art auctioneers have been known to attempt to sell his work,
although it is on a wall and then leave the problem of removing it up to the buyer.
In 2010 there was an uproar
when a stencilled rat painted by
him was accidently cleaned off
the wall of Hosier Lane. many
people were horrified and
angry.
It was the last of the three rats
he had painted when he came to
Melbourne in 2003 because the
rest had gradually been graffitied
over by other artists.
Despite all this publicity he still manages
to keep his real name hidden
from the media.
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STREET
Pepe Gaka is an Italian artist living off the donations of the public. His real name is Giuseppe but he goes
by the name of Pepe. On his sign he has up next to where he works he says he is an Italian Madonnaro,
which is an Italian word meaning street artist, chalk artist or pavement artist. His work is amazing, it is
all done with chalk
and he has
incredible skill. He
lives in Sydney and
his full time job is
sitting on the
pavement doing
chalk drawings on
canvas. He is one
of the nicest,
friendliest people
there is and is
happy to talk to
anyone. If you ask
him a question he
will come over to
you and start
chatting and is so
friendly. When he
is finished his artwork he never sells it despite the fact that he could probably get quite a lot of money
for it. He gives his artwork away to charity to raise money by selling it, and then starts a new drawing.
He can speak Italian, English and Japanese
and says so on his sign, encouraging people to
come and talk to him. One of his paintings
was recorded as the biggest chalk drawing in
the world at 6.3 square metres.
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He says “Street painting is my life. Street art is more than my job and passion; it is all I think about. I do
paintings on the street and try and to bring joy to people all around the world, I am living in Sydney
Australia. After travelling in
many countries I have finally
found in Australia my second
home. I have fallen in love
with this amazing country
and with the people.”
He also has a great memory
and takes notice of
everything. Although I only
talked to him for a couple of
seconds one day, the next
day when I went back he
remembered me despite
having talked to heaps of
people. He also invites
people to add him on Facebook. On his page he has lots of messages from people but one that stood out
was a message from a lady who said she had seen his pictures and met him a year ago. She were saying
happy birthday and commented that he probably didn’t remember her, but he commented back saying
he did remember her, and it seemed to be true as he made some inside joke that she understood. It
seemed amazing that even after a year he still remembered this random passer-by who he had probably
only spoken to for a couple of
minutes.
He has done many different
drawings and it seems like an
amazing job, he loves it and is
incredibly talented.
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STREET
This is Cam, he lives in Melbourne and loves to do street art, so I interviewed him to see how it started
and how he does it.
When did you first start doing street art?
“Well I started doing street art just over a year ago. Just with a mate we were originally making stencils
to put on t-shirts then my mate told me he was selling his stencils to this guy who was spraying them up
on the street. When I heard this I was like shit wow I'd never do that that's illegal! Then a few weeks
later my mate said he had a few cans of paint why not go put up a few of our stencils. I thought hmmm
ok, what's the
worst that can
happen. So we
went out one
night and put
up a few
stencils I think
they were of a
guy with an X
for a head.
After that I
started going
out more
regularly and
yeah I guess
that was how it
started.”
What inspired you to do street art?
“What inspired me? Well that little rebel in me I think, I like the idea that you can write a really
meaningful message on a wall for everyone to see and share your opinion with the world. And if it’s an
antigovernment message then they can’t do much about it and maybe other people agree and start a
movement. Also the likes of Banksy and Melbourne's own ‘Ha-Ha’ and the ever fresh crew members
‘Rone’ and ‘Meggs’ were a huge influence on me and my work.”
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“I’ve had to do a runner more than once, but I’ve never been caught”
Do you use stencils or do it freehand?
“I use a mixture, I like stencils because
they are quick and you get a nice finish on
them so when I go out alone I usually just
use one layer of stencils. But if I'm doing a
legal piece and have more time I like to
use free hand. It's loads of fun just
chilling out listening to some music and
painting away and just playing with your image. At home I tend to
use more stencils for my canvas work just because I can do a big
multicolour image by layering the stencil.”
Have you ever got in trouble for doing street art?
“No not yet I’ve had to do a runner more than once but I've never
been caught and gotten in trouble.”
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STREET
What’s your name?
“Madonna Holmes”
What instrument do you busk with?
“Mostly violin, but sometimes voice or recorder.”
How do you find busking, do you enjoy it?
“Yes, I love it but it is sometimes terrifying and sometimes really hard when there is no response from
the passes by. When that happens I make it about the music being a gift whether anyone likes it or not.
Not about the
money, it’s about
the music.
Anyway I enjoy it
if I am listening to
myself.”
How long have
you been
playing violin?
“For 3 years as a child, then stopped and had about a 15 year gap then started again and now for about
15 years.”
Can you play any other instruments?
“A bit of guitar and I’m also teaching myself piano.”
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When did you first start busking?
“About 11 years ago, I would go busking for an hour and make enough money to buy a pizza and a
movie ticket and have a night out.”
Where do you normally busk?
“I have never really tried train stations or that sort of thing. I mostly busk outside Coles and Big W, and
normally at certain times of the day, like just after school drop off and pick up and also around midday.
Also often on a Saturday morning and Thursday evenings and it’s good to do the same place, same time
because people recognise you and they start to feel like they know you. The children who come past
every week are most attracted by it usually and some parents will have to drag their kids past but others
will just let them stay for as long as they want. In one place I used to busk there would always be the
same girl there who would always dance and her father would just let her stay as long as she wanted, it
was really sweet.”
How often do you busk?
“Not as much anymore but I used to do it once or twice a
week, there have been stages that I went through where I
would busk every second day though.”
What inspired you to start playing an
instrument?
“I always loved music as a child and just wanted to play
violin, I had already played guitar before that for a couple
of years. “
Where is the nicest/coolest/most fun place you
have ever played?
“Nothing really adventurous, actually one time I went to
Sorrento and busked every day for 5 days after New Year’s Eve, I was busking outside a fish
and chip shop and the man who owned the shop was so funny. He would often come out and dance or
request a song, it was so much fun.”
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Would you like to do music professionally?
“I’ve thought about it before and I used to sing professionally as a teenager but I was never really that
serious about doing music professionally.”
Has anyone ever complained about your music/playing while you’re busking?
“Oh yeah, totally, one time I was playing Christmas carols outside Coles and a security guard told me to
leave and threatened to call the police. I refused to leave and he called the police. I stayed there until
they came, but then when they pulled up I quickly left. I think the security guard was just taking his job a
bit too seriously.”
Do people ever give you anything apart from money?
“Yeah, one time I was busking on Boxing Day in the Dandenong’s and this woman came along and
started talking to me. She said she had no money at the moment but she went off to get some money,
she couldn’t get any for some reason but instead she bought me a little lavender pillow which I still
have. I’ve got other things as well but that one stood out the most.“
Do you busk for money or for fun or both?
“If I didn’t need money I wouldn’t busk at all. When I’m broke I need to busk to get some money but I
never count the money to make sure I have enough before I leave, and I never wait till I have a certain
amount. Often I give myself a certain amount of time and then I stay there for that long and leave after
that no matter how much money I have, unless I’m having fun and want to keep going, then I give
myself a bit longer. “
Can you tell me any particular interesting or difficult experiences while busking?
“Sometimes it is freezing cold and my hands and feet are freezing and it’s quite hard to play because my
fingers are so cold. When this happens I’ll go off to have a coffee then come back. Sometimes people,
often they are old ladies, will put their fingers in their ears which is a bit discouraging. It’s so lovely when
children are fascinated and loving the music and the parents let them stay and listen.”
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STREET
Every Wednesday and Friday just next to Flinders St Station there is a gathering of homeless people because at 8:30pm a few vans turns up offering the homeless people food and drinks. One of these vans is owned by a group called Rosie’s Soup Kitchen, another belongs to Vinnie’s and another to the Salvos.
These are called Soup Kitchens but despite the name it is not a “kitchen” as some might think but a van that comes with volunteers who give out food and drinks to the homeless.
They are run by volunteers that want to help out and most have become good friends with the people they serve food to. One of the volunteers said that he has been coming out to help run the soup vans for a couple of years since
he was in year 12. He
said that most of the people who
gathered there are there every
week and he knows them
quite well. He also told us
“although a few of them
manage to find places to stay
overnight most of them just
sleep out on the street in the cold.”
After getting something to eat
most of the homeless people were just sitting down, leaning against the wall of Flinders St Station or talking to the volunteers.
Most of them ate without talking to anyone and seemed to prefer to just mind their own business rather than get to know anyone. Nearly all of them were wearing old, shabby, clothes which didn’t look like they’d been washed in a while, which was not surprising since they were homeless.
“Most of them just sleep out on the street in the cold”
“Stories over a polystyrene cup”
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The vans from the different charities were parked all along Flinders St, from near the main entrance of the station almost down to Elizabeth St.
Although a few of the homeless people where friendly a lot of them did not want to talk and were only there to get something to eat. When one of the volunteers found out it was someone’s birthday everyone gathered around and sang happy birthday to him. The whole thing had a nice vibe but also a little bit of a wary vibe. Not all the homeless people seemed completely trusting and a few of them seemed to just want to be left alone once they had some food and a coffee. This seemed fair enough, it wouldn’t be easy being homeless and a lot of them probably don’t need people trying to pry into their lives.
It seems like a great thing to do and all the volunteers seem very friendly, they are not paid to do it, they
just do it because they want to.
I could not take photos because it didn’t seem to be the right thing to do. I doubt they would have
appreciated me taking photos of them like they were a tourist attraction and they are exactly the same
as anyone else except without homes and maybe not dressed as well.
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STREET
On Sunday 16 June a large crowd of determined citizens gathered for one purpose, to show their
support for the refugees and try to make the government close the Manus Island Detention Centre and
other detention centres.
Over 5000 people
are currently
detained in
detention centres
and some are
starting to self-harm,
others even
attempting suicide.
These issues caused
a mass of people to
gather outside the
Exhibition Building
with banners,
posters and signs
trying to end this.
Everyone was silent as some speakers including Pamela Curr, Misha
Coleman and Adam Bandt talked while standing on the back of a truck.
They were making their opinion very clear about the situation with the refugees,
saying how terrible it was that refugees were not allowed to
come into the country freely. All speeches were met with loud applause
and cheering and after they were all finished a man named Les Thomas
started to sing for everyone, playing guitar and singing a song about one
particular refugee girl called Ranjini. It was a very touching performance
with real feeling and the man had a nice voice. Then the crowd started the
parade, led by some dancers and a man with a megaphone shouting out phrases
which the people shouted back loudly. People with megaphones were scattered
all through the parade, shouting things like “Refugees-yes! Racism-no! Detention
centres have, Got-To Go!” Or “Lock up Gillard! Throw away the key! We-won’t-stop
till we free-the-refugees!”
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The crowd became bigger and bigger as
we walked along and everyone was
holding their signs high and shouting
loudly, trying to tell the world about the
injustice and that they wanted to
change. The shouters with the
megaphones didn’t pause their
protesting for a second and obviously
really believed in the protest,
encouraging everyone to shout louder.
The leader of the protest made her point very clear saying
‘everyone deserves human rights, the refugees have
nothing and they deserve our help, they do not deserve
to be shut up in detention centres for days/years. It is not
a crime to seek asylum, so it should not be treated like it
is.” These were the thoughts that seemed to be going
through everyone’s minds as they walked down the
street. Their signs voiced their thoughts saying things like
‘a fair go for refugees’ or ‘end mandatory detention now’.
The parade went all the way from the Melbourne
Exhibition Buildings to the Fitzroy Town Hall
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STREET
The city of Melbourne can be a very beautiful place, especially at night when it is lit up it looks amazing.
Taken off Prince’s
Bridge
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Flinders St
Station
St Pauls Cathedral
Flinders St Station from across
the Yarra
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THANKYOU
A massive thanks to everyone who helped
me with this project
My Mentor - Elizabeth Reardon
Everyone I interviewed or talked to
Mum, Dad, Tim and Chris
Fiona, my class and my friends
And anyone else who helped
I am so grateful to you all