As part of the Fringe Festival coming up on the 20th June, Hamilton's city centre will be transformed into a life size Monopoly board game.

Several vacant commercial properties located around Victoria Street and the CBD of Hamilton will be recreated into Monopoly squares, complete with classic slogans like 'Go to Jail', 'Collect $500' and 'Free Parking'. Hamiltonians initially may notice something different in a usually empty shop window and then, walking around Hamilton's CBD will begin to piece together the thematically linked Monopoly squares and begin to realize they are walking around their own life size Monopoly board game.

Several artists will be involved in the project, these artists have been asked to create their own interpretation of a 'playing piece' that represent the classic playing pieces in the game of Monopoly like the Scottie Dog, the Top Hat and the Car. These 'installation'-playing playing pieces will be located within each commercial property that has been made into a Monopoly square.

The playing pieces created by each artist will showcase their own work. Some of the pieces may be a fun take on the Monopoly game itself, while others may comment on Hamilton's economic or artistic landscape. The idea is to create an interesting and engaging platform to showcase some of Hamilton's vibrant emerging and more established artists. ‘The number of vacant retail outlets in Hamilton, indicates that we as a city and individuals are all being affected by the economic climate.  A response from all sectors of the community is required and I believe artists can have an impact in this way,’ says Barbara Smith, one of artists involved in the project.

The project also aims to highlight the important relationship between Hamilton's artists and its business community and local council. 'We need vibrant public art to help create a vibrant cityscape,' says Kate Muggeridge, the projects curator.

An Artists' 'Walk and Talk' will also be held on the opening night of the weeklong event. This talk will take place in the early evening so that the sites can be seen lit up. The tour will guide people around the Monopoly project sites while each artist involved in the project will give a brief talk about their piece along the way and answer any questions.

Email themonopolyproject@hotmail.com to book your free tour. The Monopoly Project brochures will also include a map and guide with information about the artists, background information on the project, games, Resene paint voucher give-aways and much more. Look out for the Monopoly Project brochures located around Hamilton for your monopoly map and guide.
Resene Paint, HCAC and the Fringe Festival generously support the Monopoly project, with commercial spaces provided by Hamilton's central business community.