Category: 2000s

Guantanamo Bay on Hyde Street

Guantanamo Bay, Hyde Street (2009)

Few student flats reference historico-political events, Free Latvia, Erebus, Baghdad Backpackers and Guantanamo Bay are a few that come to mind. Prior to Hyde Street party of 2009 the closure of the Guantanamo detention camp at the US Guantanamo Bay Naval Base was being mooted by the Obama administration.[1]

 

References

[1] Selection of news stories from the period 1 March 2008 – 30 April 2009

Bedrock on Clyde Street

The names students bestow their flats with are often full of wit and humour. The sign for Bedrock is made using a single bedhead. The name may be related to the popular cartoon series The Flintstones where Bedrock is the prehistoric city where the Flintstone and Rubble families live. The name may also refer to beds rocking due to sexual activity. The use of a bedhead as the board for the sign implies this may be the case.  It’s not often that the name of the flat and the sign riff off each other to add another layer of meaning.

Bedrock, Clyde Street (2008)

Chamber of Secrets on Frederick Street

The Chamber of Secrets (2007) from 150 Frederick Street was created by a group of five Potter fans, the sign depicting the Hogwarts crest was painted by Will.

The flat won the Te Roopu Maori “Best Name or Sign” in OUSA’s 2007 House & Garden awards. The judges thought the sign on this flat was “Fucking awesome!” and the flatmates were awarded with a trophy for best flat name and a $100 grocery voucher.[1] When the tenants of 2008 didn’t want the sign, the Chamber Boys took it with them to their subsequent flat.  When I met up with them the sign was hanging on their lounge room wall.

 

[1] Judges comments provided by OUSA.