London Housing Project Becomes Art Installation

Before bulldozers do their job of crushing the now dilapidated 1960s housing project, more than 75 artists have transformed the decaying space into a work of art. The Market Estate was built nearly 50 years ago near Caledonian Road in London and on March 6, its newfound purpose, the product of mastermind Gadi Sprukt and his housemate, was open to the public for one day only.“I know it sounds arrogant to say it, but I think the estate was built for this project,” Sprukt said. Thanks to sponsors Higgins Construction, HTA Architects Ltd, and Southern Housing Group, as well as the Arts Council, Sprukt and his team had nearly $37,500 to make their vision a reality. Some of objects used to breathe new life into the rundown area were an eight-foot shell structure from Hinchee Hung and Nigel Goldie, graffiti murals of the space’s history, and bicycles the estate once banned. Flats were also transformed into installations, such as Jess Blandford and Joe Morris’ iridescent ‘60s themed space. “We chose the colour because it seems carcinogenic and nuclear,” Blandford said. Though the bright tones and new additions will be ruined next Monday, the Market Estate certainly went out with an artistic bang.