more street art at the hopetoun, surry hills

(Fitzroy St, Surry Hills)

Found this poster on a board at the Hopetoun Hotel. Yes. The hotel is still closed. Unlike the Tote in Melbourne, which was saved recently by new owner Seventh Tipple, according to Crikey (link).

Not sure what this boy stands for.

Is he David, facing Goliath with a mean-ass rock at his feet?
Was the rock thrown at him and now he's mad pissed?
Did he own a popular Sydney pub that 'went down the shitter' but doesn't have the balls to fight financial hardship?
Is he the underdog, at the climax of battle?
Is he a little chub, hinting that children eat too many burgers these days?
Does he feel guilty for littering, or is it council's job to clean up after us because we for pay its salaries/luxury business trips?
Have you ever faced your demons, but hesitated with a look of 'i shat my undies' on your face?

the hopetoun hotel: miss u hoey pt. 2

(wall beside the Hopetoun on Bourke St, Surry Hills)

The Hopetoun Hotel is still closed after months of patience, blog comments and binge drinkers pissing on at other pubs.

But even with the likelihood it will by bought out/demolished at some point, the Hoey's MySpace page says the venue currently provides "live music seven nights a week" and its mood is "accomplished".

Seems the owners can't even be "fucked" to update their profile.

Not sure what this I Love Hades poster is meant to reference. Is it meaningless? Does the "Greek god of the underworld" signify an evil spirit behind everything that happens to the Hoey?

(blackboard on the Hopetoun)

In a recent news story the unresolved questions on the venue's future were still unanswered.

In the meantime, street artists continue to enshrine the building with allusions to a community of artists trudging on, oblivious to the financial failings of its members.

miss u hoey

The sudden closure of the Hopetoun Hotel in September created a rift in Sydney’s live music scene.

It's still unclear what's going to happen, but what's certain is the public outpouring for it to reopen.

Gig-goers and hipsters have asked all the questions - has it been bought yet? Did council demanded safety upgrades, coupled with the GFC, lead to its insolvency? Are the owners too busy on TweetBook? Are pokies the only reason people went there? Does my ass look better in denim or custard?

Everyone’s still waiting for a resolution.

 

In the interim the building has become a shrine to “remembering a venue bands got their first gig at”.

Here are comments written on boards nailed to the hotel's doors:

- Royal commission required!!

- I love Hoey xxx

- The Toun needs its Hope back!

- How many more Clover?

- Who needs CCTV anyway? It’s crap.

- It’s all love baby – the rest is just filler!!

- Love Hoey

- Hoey – the safest pub in Sydney

- New York never sleeps – Sydney snores!!

This situation is obviously difficut to resolve. Might need some buzz marketing, like FBi Radio's Ask Richard campaign. The owners need to get some shit happening.

 

Snapped this print next to the Hoey on Bourke St. The artist portrays four figures facing the hotel within a fragmented, psychedelic landscape.

Two figures look like Street Judges dragging along a pair of unshaven accountants/lawyers marked by their evanescent pallor.

Could this be what really happened the day the Hoey closed?