An evolving art exhibition will emerge in Esk Street this week, telling the story of its rejuvenation through the people who know one of our City’s busiest streets best.
We’ve all heard the phrase “if the walls could talk” – a reference to the interesting people and events a room or building might have witnessed, and could tell stories about if it could speak.
For artist Nela Fletcher, the upheaval and recreation of Esk Street got her thinking: “what if Esk Street could talk?”
“I wonder, what would she tell us, what stories she could share,” Nela said.
Nela, in collaboration with cultural activator Jay Coote, has launched Esk and Us, an open air museum, using art as a medium to tell Esk Street’s story, using the community’s voices.
“It’s about Esk street, the people who work there, and those of us who visit,” Nela said.
Nela and Jay have been photographing and interviewing retailers and visitors to Esk Street, asking them about their memories, what Esk Street means to them, and their experiences of the renewal presently underway.
“It’s been a beautiful experience, to see Esk Street through so many other sets of eyes and minds,” Nela said.
Next comes the art – the photographs have been taken with a polaroid instant camera, the prints then digitised and reprinted in large format. This week, the prints, including quotes from the participants, will start to be installed along the site fencing in Esk Street.
“Our goal was to make the street an attraction rather than a place to avoid,” Nela said.
“We want to investigate and tell narratives of the place, the people, and the connection between those two things.
“From an artist’s viewpoint, this rejuvenation of Esk Street is a moment in time to create an attraction and illustrate how something negatively perceived can be transformed into a positive experience through art.”
Esk and Us will be in Esk Street from this Tuesday, 1 March, through until late April. The artworks and stories featured in the open air museum will change throughout the installation.
Be sure to check back regularly to hear the latest stories that Esk Street has to tell us, through its people.
People can also check out some of the images from Esk and Us on Instagram: @eskandus
Esk and Us has been funded and supported by Community Trust South, ILT Foundation, Invercargill City Council’s Wellbeing Fund, Tuurama Trust, and the Neighbouring Retailers Group.