Sky Arts today launches Sky Arts Street Galleries, a bold new project that will transform the streets of the UK into the biggest gallery in Britain.
The Street Galleries will take over every billboard, poster, bus-stop, phone box and advertising space in the main street of six major cities across the UK, to exhibit specially commissioned innovative photos by award winning photographer, Rankin.
Rankin is world famous for his iconic images – be they fashion; A-list celebrities or royalty, and is one of the most sought-after photographers at work today. He has produced sixteen images, each representing a different form of art, exclusively for the channel.
From ballet to modern art, music to literature, the striking images will transform the high streets of London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Liverpool and Edinburgh, bringing bold art to the British public in an innovative new way.
Sky Arts Street Galleries will be revealed at the following locations on the morning of Monday 16 August:
• Manchester – Parker Street, Piccadilly Gardens
• Birmingham – New Street
• Edinburgh – George Street
• Newcastle – Blacket Street
• Liverpool – Renshaw Street
• London – Tottenham Court Road
Rankin: “It’s the first time anyone has attempted an art takeover of six major cities, and I’m really excited to be a part of it. I hope it makes people think about the relationship between art and advertising; to stop, if just for a moment, and see something striking, different and beautiful.”
“Sky Arts Street Galleries is unlike anything we have ever done before,” comments John Cassy, Sky Arts Channel Director. “We want to encourage people to see art everywhere, even in the most unlikely of places.”
The Street Galleries takeover with Rankin will be the subject of an exclusive behind-the-scenes documentary. Rankin: Sky Arts Street Galleries will broadcast on Sky Arts 1 HD and Sky Arts 2 HD on Monday 16 th August at 6.30pm.
Sky Arts Street Galleries is the biggest marketing campaign Sky Arts has ever done, and marks another successful artistic collaboration for the channel, which is one of the largest sponsors of public art in the UK. Recent projects include the Anthony Gormley Fourth Plinth project One & Other and Lumiere, a festival of light in Durham.
© All images Rankin
The website www.sky.com/arts allows users to experience an online gallery tour guide with interactive images, and see exclusive footage from the making of the documentary.