The Secret Mall Apartment: An Artistic Adventure
When artist Michael Townsend first shared the story of his unique living experience inside the Providence Place Mall with documentarian Jeremy Workman, Workman couldn’t believe his ears. Initially, he thought it was some elaborate prank. However, Townsend soon presented a cracked iPad displaying grainy footage, instantly captivating Workman. “I was just dumbfounded and blown away,” Workman recalled during a video interview alongside Townsend. “Then I was, like, instantly, ‘I’ve got to figure out how to convince him to let me make a documentary on this.’” This interaction sparked the creation of the film “Secret Mall Apartment,” which chronicles how, from 2003 to 2007, eight artists transformed an abandoned space in the shopping center into a vibrant home. By weaving together footage captured by the residents on a small camera, Workman not only documents their unconventional living situation but also contextualizes it within the gentrification trends that characterized the early 21st century, employing some elements reminiscent of heist films. So how did they manage this extraordinary feat? Here are six key steps.
1. Discover an Abandoned Space.
The Providence Place Mall, located in Rhode Island, contained an architectural peculiarity: an unused space that caught the attention of Townsend during its construction.
As the mall was being developed, Townsend noticed what he described as a “nowhere space,” a striking “anomaly in the architecture” that seemed to serve no purpose. After seeing an ad that promoted the mall’s extensive offerings, which claimed it had everything one might need to live, Townsend and his friends decided to make this corner their temporary home. What led Townsend to identify that particular spot? He attributed it to a deep fascination with the concept of space that emerged as the mall rose, coinciding with the gentrification of his Providence neighborhood, which also resulted in the demolition of the artists’ workspace where he had lived. “It’s not just losing a home; it’s also losing the historical backbone of the neighborhood,” Townsend explained. Regarding the mall, he noted, “You couldn’t help but internalize that there was a lot of dead space in that structure.” Thus, the idea of creating an apartment was born.
2. Secure a Couch.
“If you were to choose one essential item to bring into a new space, I’d opt for a couch over a mattress any day,” said Michael Townsend, reflecting on the cozy apartment where, from left, Colin Bliss and Greta Scheing are seen relaxing.
