A man has been ‘trapped’ inside a giant glass cube on Hobart’s Macquarie Street as part of a new council arts initiative.
The City of Hobart has introduced two mobile cube galleries created from shipping containers for the InsideOUT project they hope will bring art closer to the public in an ‘unusual’ way.
The first installation was unveiled on Wednesday and features the endangered Cascade Funnel Web Spider.
While the spider installation will mostly remain static, allowing passersby to casually observe it, it will periodically come alive.
Renowned artist Matthew Stolp, the brains behind the quirky piece of art, said the spider is “waiting patiently for a mate and weaving enticing words into his web”.
“This lonely spider is hoping to attract the love of his life, but little does he know, he’s the last remaining specimen of the Cascade Funnel Web, a species we now consider extinct … or is it?” he said.
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“The spider sits still and patient but at certain times during the week you will see him spring to life.”
“The spider is in the style of a children’s drawing, but he is a little sinister and scary nonetheless.”
Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said the cubes will serve as movable galleries, showcasing exhibitions for two to three months at a time.
“By providing innovative platforms for artists to showcase their work, we are not only enriching the cultural fabric of our community but also democratising access to art in all its forms,” she said.
Council plans to host four exhibitions annually, with each artist receiving a grant of $5,000.
