The High Life is a series of rooftop art projects curated by West Space that feature in this year’s Melbourne Food + Wine Festival. The Festival invited West Space to work with contemporary artists to present artworks that reflect upon themes initiated in this year’s festival keynote project ‘The Metlink Edible Garden’. West Space has commissioned eight artists to make new work that responds to ideas around plants and gardens, food sustainability, urban landscapes and environmental concerns more broadly.
Working across some of Melbourne’s best-loved rooftops for the duration of the festival, the artists have also responded to the unique flavour of each establishment.
Artists and Venues:
Sarti Restaurant & Bar: Hotham Street Ladies + Natasha Frisch
Rooftop Bar and Cinema: Dell Stewart + Adam Cruickshank
The Order of Melbourne: Andy Hutson + Kirsten Bradley
Madame Brussels: Tai Snaith + Carl Scrase
Flying Charlie - Dell Stewart.
Umbrellas on a rooftop speak of lazing and luxury. They transport us to resort parties in the sunshine featuring colourful umbrellas and thatched tropical scenes in some unique island location with extravagant looking cocktails.
In an age where economic opposites are so extreme, self-indulgent decadence can be read in distinctly different ways depending on where you are standing. Perhaps in selfishness there is freedom? With true liberalism you can be unconventional, enlightened and even optimistic. Especially if you have the cash. ‘The Lobster’ and ‘The Pineapple’, slang for the Australian $20 and $50 dollar notes respectively, are both loaded with flavour and a pinch of exoticism too.
The Rooftop Bar will be resplendent with screen-printed editions of flags in red and yellow featuring lobsters and pineapples. Let's have a holiday. Live the high life. I'm printing pineapples.
