Hefty Premier Inn hotel coming to central Brixton

[Winot]

I guess it's all to do with who has 'ownership' of the mural. The artist? The 'community'? Who are the community here? I guess that there are some hardcore Bowie fans who aren't exactly fans of the mural and/or the way it's been appropriated.

It's all a bit unclear except that imo there's a difference between feeling that the mural means something to you, and having a right to control its future use. It's pretty fast work by the hotel but I'm not going to blame the artist for making money from his image.

Interesting to compare the reference to Bowie and other Brixton celebs by Morleys (images on the stairs inside). Been there for years.

 

[3Zeros]

This discussion has already become pointless.

 

[discobastard]

So just to be clear, the artist (presumably) allowing Premier Inn to use the image for money does not constitute 'cynical cashing in', but Premier Inn's usage of the image on their lobby does?

That is a 100% valid comment/question and deserves more than a comedy misdirection.

You might even argue that the artist is the one doing the cynical cashing in where PI simply wanted something local and relevant and edgy in their new building - which is predictable rather than cynical. I very much doubt they will make *any* significant additional revenue as a result of having that there.

Pretty tacky though I agree.

ETA not that I know anything of street art copyright. Maybe a bit of a grey area.

 

[teuchter]

Perhaps this is a cunning ploy by Premier Inn to get us arguing about something else as a distraction from the terrible mess they (and Lambeth planning department) have made of the local skyline with their portakabin-inspired rooftop extension.

 

[leanderman]

Perhaps this is a cunning ploy by Premier Inn to get us arguing about something else as a distraction from the terrible mess they (and Lambeth planning department) have made of the local skyline with their portakabin-inspired rooftop extension.

Can you explain the thinking behind that? The Portakabin's only (apparent) merit is the way it blends with grey skies.

 

[teuchter]

Can you explain the thinking behind that? The Portakabin's only (apparent0 merit is the way it blends with grey skies.

Cheapo construction and (I imagine) at least partially standardised modular design to save on cost - I'm guessing standard prefab hotel room units which they use wherever they are allowed (apparently, thanks to Lambeth, including a town centre conservation area). The variegated grey would probably be justified as "adding interest" compared to it all being the same grey, but it just draws attention to the gracelessnes of it.

 

[editor]

That is a 100% valid comment/question and deserves more than a comedy misdirection.

You might even argue that the artist is the one doing the cynical cashing in where PI simply wanted something local and relevant and edgy in their new building - which is predictable rather than cynical. I very much doubt they will make *any* significant additional revenue as a result of having that there.

Pretty tacky though I agree.

ETA not that I know anything of street art copyright. Maybe a bit of a grey area.

The artist did the work for free. He did it because he loved Bowie. I don't give a fuck that if by some stroke of luck years later he manages to get some money and recognition for his efforts. Good luck to him.

There's your answer to this vital question. Now I shall await the fascinating nitpicking 'discussion' on this completely uncontroversial opinion with the usual thinly veiled personal attacks contained therein from the usual suspects. Go!

 

[AverageJoe]

At the end of the day, it's a picture in a hotel lobby.

Urban used to be so much more fun

 

[discobastard]

The artist did the work for free. He did it because he loved Bowie. I don't give a fuck that if by some stroke of luck years later he manages to get some money and recognition for his efforts. Good luck to him.

There's your answer to this vital question. Now I shall await the fascinating nitpicking 'discussion' on this completely uncontroversial opinion with the usual thinly veiled personal attacks contained therein from the usual suspects. Go!

I'd tell you to relax but I'll probably get a kicking for that too.

Perfectly reasonable and reasoned question in light of the discussion. Which now looks like it's been shut down.

Have a nice evening.

 

[editor]

I'd tell you to relax but I'll probably get a kicking for that too.

Perfectly reasonable and reasoned question in light of the discussion. Which now looks like it's been shut down.

Have a nice evening.

How's it been shut down? I've fully answered the loaded question and expressed my opinion of a matter so incredibly trivial I'm amazed that you felt the need to weigh in.

If you're looking for a discussion about the morality and/or ethics of artists selling their work, feel free to start a thread in the appropriate forum and I'll join in if I feel like it.

As for the Holiday Inn's use of the Bowie mural, I personally don't like it, but then I never like corporates doing that kind of thing.

 

[T & P]

I think it looks a bit daft, but still felt accusations of the hotel trying cash in cynically for putting it up were well wide of the mark IMO. I don't mind criticism at all when it is well founded and certainly have no affiliation with a chain hotel like this, but too much of an issue was being made of it, and (what I see as) unfair criticism doesn't sit well with me.

Anyways, we've probably devoted far more time to the matter than it deserved. Far better to talk about more worthy issues, such as the shockingly ugly exterior look they've managed to create.

 

[editor]

Party sparkly hats and feather boas ready for the influx of hen nights: check



It officially opened yesterday.

 

[Reiabuzz]

Bowie was only born in Brixton but otherwise had virtually nothing to do with the area after leaving as a young kid. This thing by the premier inn is no more or less absurd than the original Morleys one really.

 

[editor]

Bowie was only born in Brixton but otherwise had virtually nothing to do with the area after leaving as a young kid. This thing by the premier inn is no more or less absurd than the original Morleys one really.

Except the 'Morleys one' wasn't commissioned by a corporate and used to help sell their product/promote their supposed connection with the area. It was an unpaid piece of street artwork. A labour of love, if you will. Just a teensy weensy bit of difference, I'd say.

And being born in the area - and feeling the need to return when he was dying - would suggest that he had a very real connection to the area.

 

[clicker]

Bowie's connection with the area may lead to some people choosing to visit the area ...which may lead to custom at the Premier Inn and local businesses. If the artist was willing to have his work replicated in this way , I have no real issue either. I see it more as celebrating the original work of art.

 

[editor]

Bowie's connection with the area may lead to some people choosing to visit the area ...which may lead to custom at the Premier Inn and local businesses. If the artist was willing to have his work replicated in this way , I have no real issue either. I see it more as celebrating the original work of art.

There's no question that loads of people have visited Brixton to view the mural. I guess the hope is that those people spend their money at independent businesses rather than in the big chains taking over the town.

If I get chance, maybe I could write a piece for people visiting the mural and list some local businesses...

 

[CH1]

Bowie was only born in Brixton but otherwise had virtually nothing to do with the area after leaving as a young kid. This thing by the premier inn is no more or less absurd than the original Morleys one really.

He donated shed loads to renovate the building behind Morelys for the Brixton Neighbourhood Community Association:
A Charity Performance for the Brixton Neighbourhood Community Association in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent

 

[editor]

He donated shed loads to renovate the building behind Morelys for the Brixton Neighbourhood Community Association:
A Charity Performance for the Brixton Neighbourhood Community Association in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent

I would have loved to have seen that gig. And what a lovely gesture.

“We are deeply grateful to David Bowie for his wonderful gesture in agreeing to perform in this charity concert for the benefit of the Brixton Neighbourhood Community Association. David Bowie has always been highly regarded for his outstanding musical talents but in showing his genuine concern for the plight of the underprivileged in Brixton he has now demonstrated that he has a high sense of social responsibility."

David Bowie who was born in Stansfield Road, Brixton, recently said “I left Brixton when I was still quite young, but that was enough to be very affected by it. It left strong images in my mind."

And.. oh dear

"It’s not a big deal": Owner of David Bowie's childhood home unimpressed with building's heritage

 

[Reiabuzz]

Bowie's connection with the area may lead to some people choosing to visit the area ...which may lead to custom at the Premier Inn and local businesses. If the artist was willing to have his work replicated in this way , I have no real issue either. I see it more as celebrating the original work of art.

Agreed. Bowies connection to Brixton was always rather tenuous but if it brings dosh into the area then so be it.

Btw, the Aussie artist in question also made a decent wedge selling limited edition prints of it after it went global following David's death. Looks like he's also made a little more.

 

[editor]

Agreed. Bowies connection to Brixton was always rather tenuous but if it brings dosh into the area then so be it.

He was born here, was "very affected" by growing up in the area, came back to do a big charity gig for the area, was moved when he returned in the 90s and visited again when he was dying.

I'd hardly call that a 'tenuous' link myself.

Btw, the Aussie artist in question also made a decent wedge selling limited edition prints of it after it went global following David's death. Looks like he's also made a little more.

Good luck to him because he clearly didn't do the work in the first place with any thought of cashing in - and he donated 20% of print sales to cancer charities. I doubt if he made that much from them anyway seeing as it was already being widely commercially exploited. He said:

"The image of the wall has already been reproduced for commercial merchandising without consent, so I thought it was important to do an official version… It will help celebrate Bowie’s legacy as well as raise money for cancer charities.

 

[Reiabuzz]

It's a silly little argument but he did leave Brixton when was 6, spent his formative years in Bromley, wrote a lot of his best music in Berlin, and lived most of his life in midtown Manhattan but let's not spoil the narrative. I love both Brixton and Bowie, but I found the shrine thing outside Morleys very fucking weird as I struggle to see much of a connection beyond an accident of birth. The mural itself is lovely mind you and I assume the artist gave his blessing (and bank details) to Premier Inn.

 

[CH1]

It's a silly little argument but he did leave Brixton when was 6, spent his formative years in Bromley, wrote a lot of his best music in Berlin, and lived most of his life in midtown Manhattan but let's not spoil the narrative. I love both Brixton and Bowie, but I found the shrine thing outside Morleys very fucking weird as I struggle to see much of a connection beyond an accident of birth. The mural itself is lovely mind you and I assume the artist gave his blessing (and bank details) to Premier Inn.

I agree with your sentiment. But it would make life very dull if everything was 100% rational. There seems to be a human need to make symbolic gestures.

My rational side keeps telling me no: I wanted to view the relics of St Thomas a Becket at Rochester last week, but inertia and rationality got the better of me and I just stayed at home listening to LBC.

I regret it very much now.

 

[T & P]

I agree with your sentiment. But it would make life very dull if everything was 100% rational. There seems to be a human need to make symbolic gestures.

My rational side keeps telling me no: I wanted to view the relics of St Thomas a Becket at Rochester last week, but inertia and rationality got the better of me and I just stayed at home listening to LBC.

I regret it very much now.

Going tapdancing on a minefield would be preferable to stay in listenting to LBC.

 

[CH1]

Going tapdancing on a minefield would be preferable to stay in listenting to LBC.

Not on Saturday. But certainly getting out more is better than listening to other people's opinions 3rd hand.

 

[CH1]

I see The Standard reported Lenny having a nightmare over Brexit
(though not in the online version)

 

[urbanspaceman]

I went to check out the Premier yesterday, and it was fully booked. It's all bright and shiny, with helpful staff. Could be handy for visits by friends and family, and for concertgoers and visitors to the BCA. There's an unlimited full breakfast buffet, available to non-residents.

www.premierinn.com/content/dam/global/restaurants/Global/Global%20Breakfast.pdf

 

[editor]

I went to check out the Premier yesterday, and it was fully booked. It's all bright and shiny, with helpful staff. Could be handy for visits by friends and family, and for concertgoers and visitors to the BCA. There's an unlimited full breakfast buffet, available to non-residents.

www.premierinn.com/content/dam/global/restaurants/Global/Global%20Breakfast.pdf

I don't think they will be getting many bookings from people visiting the BCA. The place has always been empty when I've been.

 

[urbanspaceman]

I don't think they will be getting many bookings from people visiting the BCA. The place has always been empty when I've been.

Yes, I've found that too. I wonder, does the BCA market itself widely, including internationally ? I fully expected to see African-American tourists visiting the place.

 

[brixtonblade]

Yes, I've found that too. I wonder, does the BCA market itself widely, including internationally ? I fully expected to see African-American tourists visiting the place.

It's always struck me as more of a resource than a visitor attraction. I like the exhibitions but theyre not really what it's for.