In a daring experiment, eight artists took up residence in a secret apartment hidden within the Providence Place mall in Rhode Island. For four years, they lived there, creating art and enjoying each other's company, all while evading security cameras and guards.
The group, led by Michael Townsend, was united in their desire to challenge the conventional norms of consumerism and gentrification. They saw the mall as a symbol of the empty, soulless lives people lead when they're forced to spend their days shopping and working. By creating their own space within the mall, they aimed to subvert this notion and create something truly unique.
As Jeremy Workman's documentary reveals, the apartment was more than just a place to hang out – it was a performance art piece, a commentary on the human desire for home and community. Adriana Valdez-Young saw the space as an aspirational dream, decorating it with Pottery Barn furniture, while Michael Townsend viewed it as a manifestation of his artistic vision.
The group's use of humor and irony in their living arrangements was also a clever tactic to expose the banality of modern life. They would often sneak into the mall's theater to watch movies or play video games, making light of the conventions that governed their lives.
But their freedom came at a cost. When Townsend was eventually caught by security, he was banned from the mall for 17 years. His punishment may seem severe, but it's also become a rallying cry for people in Providence, highlighting the importance of individuality and creative expression.
Today, "Secret Mall Apartment" is streaming on Netflix, offering a fresh perspective on the intersection of art, community, and rebellion. It serves as a reminder that even the most unlikely spaces can hold profound significance and meaning – and that sometimes, it takes guts to challenge the status quo.
The group, led by Michael Townsend, was united in their desire to challenge the conventional norms of consumerism and gentrification. They saw the mall as a symbol of the empty, soulless lives people lead when they're forced to spend their days shopping and working. By creating their own space within the mall, they aimed to subvert this notion and create something truly unique.
As Jeremy Workman's documentary reveals, the apartment was more than just a place to hang out – it was a performance art piece, a commentary on the human desire for home and community. Adriana Valdez-Young saw the space as an aspirational dream, decorating it with Pottery Barn furniture, while Michael Townsend viewed it as a manifestation of his artistic vision.
The group's use of humor and irony in their living arrangements was also a clever tactic to expose the banality of modern life. They would often sneak into the mall's theater to watch movies or play video games, making light of the conventions that governed their lives.
But their freedom came at a cost. When Townsend was eventually caught by security, he was banned from the mall for 17 years. His punishment may seem severe, but it's also become a rallying cry for people in Providence, highlighting the importance of individuality and creative expression.
Today, "Secret Mall Apartment" is streaming on Netflix, offering a fresh perspective on the intersection of art, community, and rebellion. It serves as a reminder that even the most unlikely spaces can hold profound significance and meaning – and that sometimes, it takes guts to challenge the status quo.
. The artists' idea to create their own space within the mall is genius 
. It's like they took all the mundane aspects of modern life (hello, consumerism!) and turned them on their head. By turning an empty space into a thriving community, they showed that even in the most unlikely places, there's room for creativity and connection.
. It's like they said, "Hey, we're not just living here, we're commenting on it too." And, of course, Michael Townsend's 17-year ban is a pretty powerful statement about individuality and creative expression 
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. I think people are craving stories like this – reminders that art can be subversive, that community matters, and that sometimes you gotta take risks to challenge the status quo 
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. The documentary on Netflix looks amazing too... I'm totally binge-watching it tonight 
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The way those artists turned an empty space into their own little haven is truly inspiring 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to create art, have fun, and live life on their own terms without all the commercialism and rules? It's like they're saying, "Hey, we can make our own magic happen, even in the most unexpected places 
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. But seriously, I think what these artists did was kinda genius. They took this sterile space and turned it into something that actually meant something to them.
. Still, it's cool to see how their experiment has inspired people in Providence to stand up for individuality and creative expression. Good on 'em! 
You're basically asking for trouble when you start playing artistic games with security systems. And 17 years is a pretty harsh punishment if you ask me, especially considering the whole "artistic vision" excuse... like, dude, it's just an apartment, not some revolutionary masterpiece. But I guess that's what happens when you mess with the system and try to make a statement. Anyway, the documentary seems kinda cool, I'll give them that 
. It's interesting to see how people can find meaning in something as mundane as a mall, but at the same time... it just feels like they're trying too hard to be edgy.
. It just goes to show that even the most unlikely spaces can hold deep meaning - and sometimes it takes guts to challenge the status quo 
But you know what really stuck with me is how this whole thing brought the community together. Those artists showed us that even in a place like a shopping mall, there's room to be creative and break free from the norm. It's all about finding your own space, your own voice & expressing yourself without apology. 
It just goes to show that art can take many forms & that sometimes it takes courage to challenge the status quo. I'm loving this documentary & I think we all need a little reminder of that every now & then! 
And 17 years banned from the mall for Michael Townsend seems kinda harsh 
. Still, you gotta respect his commitment to art and individuality 
It's like they're poking fun at themselves and our societal norms. I'm here for it 
i feel so bad 4 michael townsend he was just trying 2 make a point about consumerism and gentrification and now hes banned from the mall 4 17 yrs 
. They were basically just exploiting a loophole to play hooky and get attention, rather than actually doing something meaningful to challenge consumerism.
. I mean, if they really wanted to make a point about gentrification and community, wouldn't it have been more effective to actually create something new and valuable in that space? Instead, they're just perpetuating the same consumerist culture they're trying to critique.
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The group's art piece was more than just cool, it was a commentary on how we're always trying to find our own space within the system. And I love how they used humor and irony to make light of it all - who needs Pottery Barn when you can have thrift store finds?!