6 Storeys 6 Stories - Argyle Street Car Park
6 Storeys 6 Stories, 2022, in Argyle Street Car Park, by Studio Decade. Photo credit: Andrew Wilson
Where would you find a man skiing across a bridge in peak hour traffic, a school boy walking on all fours, a significant act of bravery, not one but two princesses and a queen?
Where else… the Argyle Street Car Park!
6 Storeys 6 Stories is a new artwork project on six levels of one of the oldest multi-storey car parks in Hobart, the Argyle Street Car Park.
The artwork will replace wayfinding murals created by Tasmanian cartoonist Ross Johnson 23 years ago that featured native animals taking part in various sporting activities to honour the 2000 Olympics.
6 Storeys 6 Stories, 2022, in Argyle Street Car Park, by Studio Decade. Photo credit: Andrew Wilson
The new artwork has been created by the internationally experienced graphic design team Studio Decade, Douglas Hagger and Sam Moffat. Their artwork will help people navigate the six stories of the car park through an excellent wayfinding system that uses nostalgia, humour and unexpected local knowledge.
More than 4000 people from all sections of the community as well as interstate and international visitors pass through Argyle Street Car Park every day.
Each level contains a large image, accompanied by explanatory text that has been written by local writer Chas Bayfield. The works have been fabricated and installed by Margate-based Lighthouse Signs.
Audio description
Audio transcript
Welcome
Welcome to the Audio Description for Argyle Street Carpark Artwork, 6 Storeys 6 Stories.
Where would you find a man skiing across a bridge in peak hour traffic, a school boy walking on all fours, a significant act of bravery, not one but two Princess's and a Queen?
Where else … the Argyle Street Car Park!
This exciting new art project was installed in the Argyle Street Carpark in May 2022 and highlights 6 different historical events or people related to Tasmanian culture, on 6 different levels of the carpark. As well as being creative the artwork will assist carpark users with wayfinding between carpark floors.
Each level is represented by a different colour, icon, story and photographs, focussing on lesser known oddities and quirks that have long since left the news-cycle but live on anecdotally. The explanatory text has been written by local writer Chas Bayfield and artworks were designed by Studio Decade graphic designers Douglas Hagger and Sam Moffit.
Wayfinding
The photographs are located on Level 1 through to Level 6. There is one large and one small image both situated outside the entry to the lift.
Inside and outside the lift entry there is also a visual directory which shows the colour, number and icon related to each story.
The icons sit across the middle of both lift doors, on each floor.
You can read more about the stories by clicking on the QR code located near the buttons to the lift or on the right hand side of the large wall outside the lift entry.
Continue listening (for the audio version or insert 'reading' for the descriptor) if you would like to know more about the stories.
Artist statement
6 Storeys 6 Stories highlights different characters and historical events related to Tasmanian culture, focusing on lesser known oddities and quirks that have long since left the news-cycle but live on anecdotally.
The artwork contains moments of folklore that will delight and surprise tourists and young people; and be remembered fondly by those who were there.
Storeys and stories
1 - The Human Crab
Luca Redwig - Crab sprinter, athletic phenomenon.
Let's face it, the quickest way from A to B is not on all fours. Unless of course you're a cat, horse, or any other four-legged critter. Tassie's Luca Redwig used to "crab walk" while warming up for gymnastics, so when he heard there was a 20 metre world record, he set out to beat it. Aged just 11, he shaved a second off that record. He's since beaten it by another second and reckons there's still more left in the tank. Go Luca!
Audio description
Audio transcript
Level 1 Story Information
The colour for Level 1 is light green. There is a large black and white photo of a young boy Luca Redwig on all fours doing the human crab walk dressed in shorts and t-shirt on a summer's day crabbing forward along a racecourse track. The year is 2018.
The text panel reads…
Luca Redwig, Crab sprinter, athletic phenomenon.
Let's face it, the quickest way from A to B is not on all fours. Unless of course you're a cat, horse, or any other four-legged critter. Tassie's Luca Redwig used to "crab walk" while warming up for gymnastics, so when he heard there was a 20 metre world record, he set out to beat it. Aged just 11, he shaved a second off that record. He's since beaten it by another second and reckons there's still more left in the tank. Go Luca!
The icon for level 1 is a pink stylised line drawing of a crab.
The smaller sepia photo is of Luca Redwig in side profile doing the crab walk as part of his historic race.
2 - Tassie's Other Princess
Pauline Curran - Tasmanian princess, environmental queen.
Move over Mary Donaldson, you weren't Tassie's first princess! On a tour of England in the 1920s, Tatts heiress, Pauline Curran from Eaglehawk Neck met and fell in love with exiled Russian prince, Maximillien Melikoff. They married in 1926 and after a jet-set life spent mainly on the Côte d'Azur, Princess Melikoff left much of her fortune to good causes. One of her trusts recently donated $300,000 to marine conservation.
Audio description
Audio transcript
Level 2 Story Information
The colour for Level 2 is dark green. There is a large black and white photo of Pauline Curran, a Tasmanian princess and environmental Queen. Pauline is dressed in a 1920s style sleeveless dress with a long veil curled around her feet. She is also wearing a tiara on her forehead and feathered headdress, seated on a carved wooden chair. The year is 1926.
The text panel reads…
Pauline Curran, Tasmanian princess, environmental queen.
Move over Mary Donaldson, you weren't Tassie's first princess! On a tour of England in the 1920s, Tattersall's heiress, Pauline Curran from Eaglehawk Neck met and fell in love with exiled Russian prince, Maximillien Melikoff. They married in 1926 and after a jet-set life spent mainly on the Côte d'Azur, Princess Melikoff left much of her fortune to good causes. One of her trusts recently donated $300,000 to marine conservation.
The icon for level 2, is a pink stylised line drawing of 2 dolphins.
The small sepia photo is of Pauline Curran on her wedding day in a white 1920’s style dress with a long veil, standing next to her husband dressed in a tuxedo with onlookers in the background.
3 - Blizzard Wizard
Les Jackson - Bridge skier, winter winner.
It doesn't often snow in Hobart, but on 25 July 1986, 15cm of powder blanketed the capital. Realising that Hobart's iconic river crossing might make an epic ski slope, keen downhiller Les Jackson tossed some skis in the back of his car and crawled up the only open lane of the Tasman Bridge. Once on the other side, he climbed back up the bridge and began to ski down. A WIN TV crew caught the phenomenal snowman in action and the rest is history.
Audio description
Audio transcript
Level 3 Story Information
The colour for Level 3 is yellow. The large black and white photo has a picture of Les Jackson in a suit and tie with skis and stocks skiing over the Tasman Bridge which is covered in snow in 1986. He was known as the Blizzard Wizard. The year is 1986.
The text panel reads…
Les Jackson, bridge skier, winter winner.
It doesn't often snow in Hobart, but on 25 July 1986, 15cm of powder blanketed the capital. Realising that Hobart's iconic river crossing might make an epic ski slope, keen downhiller Les Jackson tossed some skis in the back of his car and crawled up the only open lane of the Tasman Bridge. Once on the other side, he climbed back up the bridge and began to ski down. A WIN TV crew caught the phenomenal snowman in action and the rest is history.
The icon for level 3, is a pink stylised line drawing of a snowman.
The small sepia photo is of an empty Elizabeth St mall in the centre of Hobart in 1986, with the street, benches and flower beds covered in a gentle dusting of snow.
4 - Robin Hood Rescuer
Court Oakes - Retired at 91, champion forever.
Hero might be an overused word in the world of sport but heavyweight boxing champion Court Oakes took his heroism out of the ring. As a kunanyi ranger for the Cascade Brewery, Oakes once rescued a young boy. Little did he know that the child would grow up to be swashbuckling Hollywood heartthrob, Errol Flynn. Oakes properly punched above his weight when it came to his work at the brewery, working 7 days a week for over 60 years.
Audio description
Audio transcript
Level 4 Story Information
The colour for Level 4 is orange. There is a large black and white photo of a boxer, Court Oakes, wearing only black boxer shorts, black socks and white shoes, standing in a sparring position with a right cross hook. The year is 1918.
The text panel reads…
Court Oakes, retired at 91, champion forever.
Hero might be an overused word in the world of sport but heavyweight boxing champion Court Oakes took his heroism out of the ring. As a kunanyi ranger for the Cascade Brewery, Oakes once rescued a young boy. Little did he know that the child would grow up to be swashbuckling Hollywood heartthrob, Errol Flynn. Oakes properly punched above his weight when it came to his work at the brewery, working 7 days a week for over 60 years.
The icon for this floor is two stylised boxing mitts.
The small sepia photo is of Court Oakes as an older man dressed in a smart hat, jacket, woollen waistcoat, white shirt and tie, standing outside with trees in the background.
5 - Disco Diana
Princess Diana - Queen of hearts, disco princess.
When The Prince and Princess of Wales toured Tassie in 1983, they visited Wrest Point Casino. Just two years into her role as royal bride, Diana was already struggling with the weight of responsibility. An observer saw her grappling with her tiara: "Blasted thing weighs a tonne," said the princess. As the royal entourage departed the casino, Diana could hear music blasting from Regine's Nightclub. "That sounds fun," she said. No one took the hint and Diana never made it to the (glitter) ball.
Audio description
Audio transcript
Level 5 Story Information
The colour for Level 5 is pink. There is a large black and white photo of Princess Diana at the Wrest Point Casino sitting down cross-legged on a chair, hands neatly folded in her lap, wearing an '80s style sleeveless dress with frilled neckline. She wears a diamond tiara and diamond necklace. The year is 1983.
The text panel reads…
Princess Diana, Queen of hearts, disco princess.
When The Prince and Princess of Wales toured Tassie in 1983, they visited Wrest Point Casino. Just two years into her role as royal bride, Diana was already struggling with the weight of responsibility. An observer saw her grappling with her tiara: "Blasted thing weighs a tonne," said the princess. As the royal entourage departed the casino, Diana could hear music blasting from Regine's Nightclub. "That sounds fun," she said. No one took the hint and Diana never made it to the (glitter) ball.
The icon for level 5 is a pink stylised tiara with a big diamond in the middle and two smaller circular gems on either side.
The small sepia photo has a picture of Princess Diana and Prince Charles by her side, with onlookers at the Wrest Point Casino.
6 - Beauty Queen
MisTy DelRay - Supermarket manager by day, drag superstar by night.
As a sports mad teen, Tyler Shaw represented the state at basketball. However, a part time job in Hobart's Flamingos Bar changed the direction of his whole life. Watching a drag act inspired the young retail manager to ditch the daywear and live life as his fabulous alter ego, MisTy DelRay. Not only has MisTy been a hometown hit in Hobart, she was Tasmania's first ever entrant in Miss Gay Australia International back in 2019. She won the pageant and the rest, as they say, is MisTory.
Audio description
Audio transcript
Level 6 Story Information
The colour for Level 6 is purple. The large black and white photo features the beauty queen Misty DelRey. This image captures Misty in her night persona with a blonde curly wig, Tiara, and a sash across her chest with the letters Miss Gay Australia International 2019 winner. Misty is pictured inside her kitchen wearing a smart suit jacket with benchtops and side cupboards as the backdrop.
The text panel reads…
MisTy DelRay, supermarket manager by day, drag superstar by night.
As a sports mad teen, Tyler Shaw represented the state at basketball. However, a part time job in Hobart's Flamingos Bar changed the direction of his whole life. Watching a drag act inspired the young retail manager to ditch the daywear and live life as his fabulous alter ego, MisTy DelRay. Not only has MisTy been a hometown hit in Hobart, she was Tasmania's first ever entrant in Miss Gay Australia International back in 2019. She won the pageant and the rest, as they say, is MisTory.
The icon for level 6 is a stylised pink goblet.
The small sepia photo shows the trophy base and plaque reading Miss Gay Australia international 2019 winner with a close up of her diamante tiara in the foreground. There is also a framed photograph of Misty in the background.
Image gallery