The High Life

The High Life is a series of rooftop art projects curated by West Space that will be a feature of this year’s Melbourne Food + Wine Festival. The Festival invited West Space to work with contemporary artists to present artworks that reflect upon themes initiated in this year’s festival keynote project ‘The Metlink Edible Garden’. West Space has commissioned eight artists to make new work that responds to ideas around plants and gardens, food sustainability, urban landscapes and environmental concerns more broadly.

For the duration of the Festival, Melbourne artists will exhibit imaginative artworks that respond to the unique flavour of some of our best-loved rooftops. How will artists interpret the hunter/gatherer ethos at Sarti Restaurant & Bar or the flamboyant cheekiness of Madame Brussels? How will they respond to the understated but oh-so-Melbourne elegance of the Order of Melbourne, or the cool-as-a-cucumber and high-as-a kite atmosphere of Rooftop Bar?

We encourage you to take a walking tour with friends. Have a tipple at each venue and explore the work of eight innovative and exciting young artists who are working, literally, at the top of the town. Get high.

Hotham Street Ladies + Natasha Frisch
Sarti Restaurant & Bar: 6 Russell Place, Melbourne
Open: Mon–Fri noon–3pm, 6pm–11pm | Sat 6pm–11pm

Adam Cruickshank + Dell Stewart
Rooftop Bar: Level 7, Curtin House, 252 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Open: Daily noon–1am

Andy Hutson + Kirsten Bradley
The Order of Melbourne: Level 2/401 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Open: Tues/Wed 3pm–11pm | Thur/Fri 3pm–1am | Sat 3pm–3am

Carl Scrase + Tai Snaith
Madame Brussels: Level 3, 59-63 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Open: Daily noon–1am

Curated by West Space
Level 1, 15-19 Anthony Street, Melbourne

Closing Night Event: Tuesday 23rd March

On the closing night, come join us on a walking tour across all four sites:
5.30–6.00pm: Sarti Restaurant & Bar
Enjoy champagne on arrival to toast the artists and the festival’s closing night.
6.15–6.45pm: Rooftop Bar and Cinema
7.00–7.30pm: The Order of Melbourne
7.45–8.15pm: Madame Brussels
As the grand finale, artist Carl Scrase will perform his flower shooting artwork

Above image of Tai Snaith’s piece Livingroom.