Rediscover the laneways of Melbourne as they transform into hidden worlds of visual and aural soundscapes as part of the Flash Forward project.
Graffiti art is as synonymous with Melbourne as a good cup of coffee. To revitalise the city of Melbourne, more than 80 creatives around the city have come together in a project known as Flash Forward. 40 of the city’s laneways will be reborn as a connected network of stories and designs. It will be a feast for the senses. With the Melbourne lockdown being extended, you can exercise up to 10km away, so mix things up on your routine and jog down an alley.
What is Flash Forward and why is it here?
Flash Forward was developed as part of the Working For Victoria initiative and helped those in the creative industries find work. Over 150 jobs were created as a result of this project. According to the Lord Mayor Sally Capp, Flash Forward “will make our city even more vibrant, more welcoming and more attractive” and will hopefully invite people to explore the city again.
According to event organisers, Flash Forward will take laneways like Bourke Place, Russell Place and Drewery Lane and transform them with “cutting-edge art installations”. Lockdown permitting, live music premieres from all genres are also on the cards. 40 live acts will be paired with 40 visual artists.
The music comes courtesy of Heavy Machinery Records, a Melbourne-based record label. It features a mixture of both underground established artists and rising up-and-comers. Over the next few months, this record label will release a full set of the music involved at Flash Forward on vinyl. Some tunes have already been released and are available for you to check out now.
What can we see?
Some laneways have already been completed and are waiting for you to discover them. Check out Bourke Place to see an 18 metre mural created by visual artist Tayla Broekman. Her mural was inspired by her experience with lockdown last year, and her style is inspired by pop surrealism, manga and digital illustration.
Artist Sarah Crowest has also finished the first part of her project. Head down Little Bourke Street to find Hughs Alley, which is opposite Heffernan Lane in China Town. There, you will uncover Chapter 1 of her work. She’s calling it Edge Piece. Keep a sharp eye out for Corrs Lane, where she will finish the next chapter of her story.
Flash Forward is a free event, so definitely keep your eyes peeled for more installations. Follow their Instagram to stay updated on each new piece.