November 26, 2014

An Open Letter to Westfield about a Thrilling Proposal

Anyone who knows me will be aware that Westfield Bondi Junction is my spiritual home. I spend hours there, either doing the grocery shopping, grabbing a coffee, getting my acrylic nails repaired after I bite them off, or just wandering aimlessly, absorbing the seething humanity.

But there is something missing from Westfield. It's got the shops and the cafes and the movie theatre and the supermarkets and the high end boutiques and the people who stop you and try to rub hand cream on you even though you're carrying bags in both hands and walking quickly towards the exit.... But it doesn't have a cultural centre.

It doesn't have Culture.

And this is where I come in.  I can be Westfield's Writer in Residence. I can bring Culture to the mall. I could be set up at a desk on a little platform in the middle of the centre - perhaps surrounded by a small picket fence - and write away on my laptop. People can stop and watch as I write, marvel at the creative process, breathe in my literary energy. They can ask questions and I will answer them, inspiring and supporting other writers to stretch their wings and let the words fly. And I, in turn, can be energised and nourished by their presence (and get free Wifi and coffee, and the occasional chocolate snowball from the cafe on Level 2).


Of course, it's not just Westfield Bondi Juntion that needs Culture. Every Westfield could have its own Resident Cultural Person. Other Writers in Residence, or perhaps Artists in Residence, Musicians in Residence, even Interpretive Dancers in Residence (in fact, I could probably double as an Interpretive Dancer in Residence when the writer's block kicks in).

Westfield would benefit from the injection of art (and from the hoards of people flocking to see us in action), and we would benefit from being around those who inspire us - The People. (Also, there are much better sandwiches at the Food Hall than there are at home.)

If you agree, or are interested in applying for your own position at Westfield, please comment below, or hit Westfield up at @westfieldau. Support the cause! Bring art to your local mall! And make sure I get my egg mayo sandwiches every day!

20 comments:

  1. Haha I love this idea!

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  2. I don't have a local Westfields...

    Instead, I would like to offer my services as the Writer In Residence at the Four Frogs Creperie:

    http://www.fourfrogs.com.au/

    I am prepared to consume many Nutella Milkshakes in my search for artistic inspiration....

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  3. Ahem. Would now be the time to admit that I seriously considered offering myself as an artist in residence to my local community centre in an effort to get me head down over the WIP? Good to see I'm not alone, although I think your idea is better. Especially if they sponsor the sandwhiches!

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  4. I am sure they would let you lease some space....I don't believe shopping centres are altruistic....

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  5. Love it Kerri. And think of the educational benefits for children to see artists at work in 'the wild'.

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  6. Brilliant idea!! Chadstone Shopping Centre... I'm sure you've heard of it... (It will soon be a state in it's own right)... used to have a white grand piano in residence. It was so lovely to sit near it on the outside of the red velvet rope, just watching it as it sat there waiting, waiting, waiting. ;)

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  7. Yep - wonderful idea! I'm an artist and love encouraging others to explore their own creativity. https://www.facebook.com/karen.frankel.art.studio

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  8. Lana (Sharpest Pencil)November 26, 2014 at 5:52 PM

    I think you will make an excellent busker. Just do it! xx

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  9. LOL. Now that, my friend, is good thinking.

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  10. No-one every played it? That's TERRIBLE!

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  11. I will be BRINGING business. They should pay me!

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  12. Ha! Love it! You totes should have done it!

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  13. Great idea - I've just read a post about street art which had some fabulous photos - everywhere needs and injection of culture and just think how inspirational it would be for children and aspiring writers to see it happening in front of them.

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  14. Haha I'd love that position! They could just pay me in clothes shop vouchers and I could shop in my breaks. Perfect!

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  15. How to combine multiple loves at once (writing, shopping, coffee) - how could Westfield resist!

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  16. Great blog post.... I feel the same about Perth, its like one giant Westfield shopping centre


    www.blogsbygabrielle.blogspot.com

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  17. Water Park in Delhi NCRJanuary 10, 2015 at 7:37 PM

    Amazing blog and very interesting stuff you got here! I definitely learned a lot from reading through some of your earlier posts as well and decided to drop a comment on this one!

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  18. Not when I was there. Such a waste. The piano has been removed and they now use that space for selling motor cars.... If I remember, I'll take a photo for you... it really beggars belief.

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