A New Face for Empty Storefronts

It was one sad outcome of the recession and an all-too-visible reminder to designers that jobs were increasingly scarce: empty storefronts, popping up across shopping centers, strip malls, main streets and even urban avenues. And while many of them were snapped up in the last few years, there are still those that remain, with that same sad, attention-grabbing quality.

Artists at Voyeur Designs (Atlanta), are taking over these vacant spaces, creating site-specific sculptures and installations in empty storefronts that turn eyesores into eye-catching focal points. Co-founders Gina Somebody and Lucas Young reach out to property owners and shopping center developers, offering an installation that will last until the next tenant occupies the space.

“When we see a space that has high traffic and high visibility that matches this type of marketing, that’s who we initially approach,” says Young. “And you never know how one contact will lead to another. We’re actually getting ready to do a piece in a private home right now.”

For a recent project (shown) at Paces Ferry Plaza in Atlanta, artist-designers from Voyeur Designs used 72,000 feet of fluorescent yarn and string wrapped around 3600 nails to create a colorful display that is illuminated at night with black lights. 

“We make art, not advertisements,” says co-founder Gina Somebody. “And we’re lucky to have clients that understand and encourage that. Our clients know the art speaks for itself, and while we could make 3-D versions of a ‘for lease’ sign, they know there’s more value in keeping it high-brow.” The firm celebrates its first anniversary this month, with six projects sold so far.