A group of eight artists, led by Michael Townsend, created a secret apartment in the Providence Place mall in 2003. The apartment was built from scratch, with furniture and appliances smuggled in through hidden passages, and served as their personal space for four years.
The artists' motivations were multifaceted, ranging from making an artistic statement against gentrification to simply seeking a unique living experience. Townsend saw the act as "a work of art," "performance art," or even "trespassing" – while others described it as a prank.
Townsend and his friends transformed a neglected corner of the mall into a functional home, complete with a couch, TV, PlayStation, and an IMAX movie theater. They ran extension cords to steal electricity and cooked meals using a waffle iron they brought in through secret passages.
The artists' use of the space was not without consequences; Townsend eventually got caught, leading to his banishment from the mall for 17 years. The punishment seems fitting, given the nature of their actions – living inside a shopping center was a deliberate choice that disregarded the rules and expectations set by mall authorities.
Despite the absurdity of their situation, the artists' experiences serve as a commentary on the aspirations of home ownership in the face of gentrification and urban renewal. The documentary captures this nuance, with each artist bringing their unique perspective to the table – some embracing the apartment's cramped spaces, while others bemoaned the lack of traditional furniture.
The film's approach to storytelling is unconventional, blending archival footage, reenactments, and interviews. This non-linear narrative style allows viewers to piece together the artists' vision and experience in a way that feels both fragmented and cohesive.
Through Townsend's story, we are reminded that art can take many forms – from subversive statements about capitalism to acts of resistance or even just creative escapes. The documentary is more than just a quirky anecdote; it serves as a testament to the power of human imagination and creativity in shaping our lives and perceptions of the world around us.
"Secret Mall Apartment" is now streaming on Netflix, inviting viewers to enter this unique and captivating world – one that challenges our assumptions about art, performance, and the blurring of boundaries between public and private spaces.
The artists' motivations were multifaceted, ranging from making an artistic statement against gentrification to simply seeking a unique living experience. Townsend saw the act as "a work of art," "performance art," or even "trespassing" – while others described it as a prank.
Townsend and his friends transformed a neglected corner of the mall into a functional home, complete with a couch, TV, PlayStation, and an IMAX movie theater. They ran extension cords to steal electricity and cooked meals using a waffle iron they brought in through secret passages.
The artists' use of the space was not without consequences; Townsend eventually got caught, leading to his banishment from the mall for 17 years. The punishment seems fitting, given the nature of their actions – living inside a shopping center was a deliberate choice that disregarded the rules and expectations set by mall authorities.
Despite the absurdity of their situation, the artists' experiences serve as a commentary on the aspirations of home ownership in the face of gentrification and urban renewal. The documentary captures this nuance, with each artist bringing their unique perspective to the table – some embracing the apartment's cramped spaces, while others bemoaned the lack of traditional furniture.
The film's approach to storytelling is unconventional, blending archival footage, reenactments, and interviews. This non-linear narrative style allows viewers to piece together the artists' vision and experience in a way that feels both fragmented and cohesive.
Through Townsend's story, we are reminded that art can take many forms – from subversive statements about capitalism to acts of resistance or even just creative escapes. The documentary is more than just a quirky anecdote; it serves as a testament to the power of human imagination and creativity in shaping our lives and perceptions of the world around us.
"Secret Mall Apartment" is now streaming on Netflix, inviting viewers to enter this unique and captivating world – one that challenges our assumptions about art, performance, and the blurring of boundaries between public and private spaces.
. And get this, one guy got caught and was banned for 17 years 
. I guess that's what happens when you try to pull off a prank on a scale like that. Anyway, it's kinda cool how the documentary explores the whole gentrification thing and how art can be all about pushing boundaries 
. The weird thing is, now it's on Netflix so we can all live vicariously through these crazy artists 
.
it's like something out of a sci-fi movie, right? I mean, who wouldn't want to sneak in some couches and TVs through hidden passages? 
Anyway, I'm totally binge-watching this documentary now – has anyone else seen it yet?
. gentrification is such a major issue and this docu sheds light on it in a really cool way. i also feel the punishments were pretty justified tbh 
. anyway, if you haven't seen this docu yet, u gotta check it out - it's like, totally wild and thought-provoking 
. I love how they pushed boundaries and took risks – it's not every day you see people taking over a public space like that.
. I mean, who needs a traditional home when you can have an IMAX movie theater in the mall?!
thats harsh! And its not even like they were hurting anyone or causing damage... they just had a crazy idea and ran with it. 
Im all about creative freedom and pushing boundaries, but this is just on another level 
. The fact that they made an art out of living in a shopping center is so cool 
. It's like you're getting a glimpse into their creative process and how they saw this entire thing as an art project. And let me tell you, it's not just for the hipsters or art enthusiasts; it's for anyone who's ever felt like they don't quite fit in.
. I mean, who tries to live in a mall? It's like they wanted to see how far they could push it before getting caught 
.
. It's like they took a space meant for shopping and turned it into their own personal playground. And the fact that they got away with it (even if only for a few years) says something about the blurring of lines between public and private spaces 
.
. i can see how it was an act of rebellion against gentrification tho. its like, they wanted to experience life on their own terms for a bit, without being tied down by traditional expectations.
. The fact that one guy got caught and banned for 17 years is pretty harsh though 
. I'm curious to see how the documentary explores the ups and downs of living in this weird space – was it really worth the risk? 
And what does it say about our society that we're so fascinated by someone's creative escape from reality? 
I mean, I love a good prank as much as the next guy, but living like that for four years? That's just crazy talk! 
. But you know what? It makes for some wild viewing. The documentary is like a puzzle, and I'm all about figuring out the pieces 
. It's like they say: "the city is your canvas" 
. I get that it's supposed to be some kind of performance art, but like, who needs permission from mall authorities to have a PS2 and watch movies in the middle of the day? 
It's all just so... complicated 
. On one hand, I love that they pushed boundaries and created something unique, but on the other, 17 years is kinda harsh, don't you think? 
Those artists were like, totally outside the box, ya know? I mean, who wouldn't wanna live inside a mall for four years? It's like they said, "Why settle for a normal life when you can create your own weird and wonderful world?" 
. Townsend's story is a testament to the human spirit's capacity for innovation and self-expression... i mean, who needs normalcy when you can have an IMAX movie theater in the middle of a shopping mall?