Art To Heart
How stores can be places of wonder and spontaneity
Retailers in our neighborhoods play an obvious role: they give us access to foods, goods, and convenient services we need, want, and are inspired by. At the same time, stores are so much more than shopping-- they are part of our communities. They are anchor points to navigate the streets, social hubs to meet people, employers that bring opportunities, places to encounter new products and experiences that engage all of our senses, and serendipitous gallery spaces where we find wonder and reflection.
This year’s Melbourne Design Week united leading and rising design talents and 24 stores in the Collingwood and Fitzroy neighborhoods. Designers used sculptures, furniture, and installation art to explore the theme, “COMMUNITY.” The works were on view during Design Week to anyone in the neighborhood and as part of a curated daily walking tour. While undergoing restoration, Porto’s historic Mercado do Bolhão boldly turned its construction wraps into a community canvas, portraying the faces and exhibiting voices of renovation workers and market vendors.
Adorning retail spaces with artistic objects isn’t a novel idea. As early as in the 1860s, the first department store in the world, Le Bon Marché in Paris, now owned by The LVMH Group, hosted theater performances and opened an art gallery. The tradition has been carried on through today with visual artists, designers, and musicians all finding their space in the building. Fast fashion brand Uniqlo has partnered with MoMA since 2013, making art more accessible with in-store installations, location-exclusive drops, and free museum admissions. Brands like Gentle Monster and Story have acted like stage managers, bringing stories to life with dynamic in-store exhibitions.
What was most unique about Melbourne Design Week and Porto’s Mercado do Bolhão was the celebration of the communities they serve. By engaging public-facing spaces and inviting pedestrians to contemplate, these projects created a new kind of opportunity for viewers to interact with art and reflect on the meaningful experiences only physical stores can cultivate.
Sources: Melbourne Design Week | Mercado do Bolhão