HEADLESS URBAN EXPRESSION

LEGACY PHOTO COLLECTION 2016

The Tivoli Theatre and Car Park: A Lost Canvas for Dublin’s Street Art

The Tivoli Theatre, a cherished cultural landmark in Dublin, has a rich and fascinating history. Originally built as a meeting place for Daniel O’Connell’s Repeal Association in the 1830s it was located on Burgh Quay. In 1897, the theatre was rebuilt and renamed the Grand Lyric Hall, later becoming the Lyric Theatre of Varieties. Finally, in 1901, it adopted the name “Tivoli.” This original Tivoli Theatre, with a seating capacity of 1,252, closed in 1928 and was eventually taken over by the Irish Press newspaper group.  

A new Tivoli Theatre opened on Francis Street in 1934, designed by architect Vincent Kelly with seating provided for 700. Initially a cine-variety theatre, it transitioned to full-time cinema use in the late 1930s, becoming the Tivoli Cinema. After a fire in 1964, the cinema remained derelict until former footballer Anthony “Tony” Byrne purchased and transformed it into a theatre and music venue in 1987. Over the years, the Tivoli Theatre hosted a diverse range of performers, from renowned musicians like Jeff Buckley, Blur, and Oasis to comedians, drag queens, and even wrestlers.  

However, the Tivoli Theatre’s story took an unexpected turn when it faced financial difficulties and ceased operations in 2015. The site was subsequently earmarked for redevelopment, leading to the demolition of the theatre and its adjacent car park in 2019. While the theatre’s closure marked the end of an era, it was the fate of the car park that sparked particular concern among Dublin’s art community.  

The Tivoli Car Park: An Urban Canvas

In the years leading up to its demolition, the Tivoli car park had become an unlikely hub for Dublin’s vibrant street art scene. Its walls, once drab and unremarkable, transformed into a dynamic outdoor gallery, showcasing a diverse array of styles and techniques. Established and emerging artists, both local and international, flocked to the car park, drawn by the freedom of expression it offered. The car park became a space where artistic boundaries were pushed, and where the city’s urban culture found a visual voice.  

The art that adorned the Tivoli car park walls was not merely decorative; it was a reflection of Dublin’s evolving identity. The murals captured the spirit of the city, its people, and its stories. They ranged from highly detailed photorealistic works to signature characters and graffiti writing, creating a constantly evolving tapestry of urban art. The car park became a popular destination for art enthusiasts, photographers, and curious passers-by, drawn by its unique atmosphere and ever-changing displays.  

Adding to the dynamic nature of the Tivoli car park’s art scene was the All-City Jam. This annual event saw graffiti artists gather to cover the car park walls in a day-long jam, showcasing their skills and collaborating on new works. The All-City Jam brought together artists from across Ireland and beyond, further solidifying the car park’s reputation as a hub for urban creativity.  

Planning Permission and the Promise of Preservation

When the redevelopment of the Tivoli Theatre site was proposed, the fate of the car park and its street art became a key concern. Recognising the cultural significance of the artwork, An Bord Pleanála, the Irish planning appeals board, included a condition in the planning permission requiring the developer to preserve the graffiti. This condition stipulated that a professional photographer should document the artwork before demolition, and that a written and digital report of the photographic survey be submitted to Dublin City Council for distribution to public libraries.  

The inclusion of this condition was a significant step in acknowledging the value of street art as a form of cultural expression, especially considering that Dublin City Council spends around €1 million a year removing graffiti around the city. It reflected a growing awareness of the need to preserve urban art, which often faces the threat of destruction due to redevelopment or changing attitudes towards graffiti. However, the reality of the preservation efforts at the Tivoli site has fallen short of expectations.

A Lost Legacy: The Current State of the Art

Following the demolition of the Tivoli Theatre and car park, the site was redeveloped into Liberty Plaza, a complex that includes a StayCity Aparthotel. While the developer was obligated to preserve the street art, the extent to which this obligation has been fulfilled is questionable. The once vibrant and extensive collection of murals has been reduced to a small number of pieces confined to a less visible wall near a bike shed. This raises concerns about the developer’s commitment to honouring the site’s artistic legacy.  

Furthermore, public access to the remaining artwork is limited, further diminishing its visibility and impact. The art that once enlivened a public space and engaged a diverse audience is now largely hidden from view, accessible only to those who venture into a specific area of the new development. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the preservation efforts and whether they truly capture the spirit and essence of the original Tivoli car park art.  

Adding to the disappointment, one of the conditions for planning permission set by Dublin City Council was that the new premise would retain a “performance and exhibition space” where entertainers and artists could continue to perform. However, after the new site’s construction, news media in 2023 reported that the area was used for little more than storage space. The aparthotel complex was also to include a new outdoor theatre space but it remains to be seen how this space will be utilised and whether it will truly compensate for the loss of the car park’s artistic vibrancy.  

Public Discourse and Disappointment

The perceived loss of the Tivoli car park’s street art has sparked public discourse and disappointment among various stakeholders. Local artists, community members, and cultural heritage advocates have voiced their frustration over the perceived lack of effort in preserving and showcasing the artwork. Many question the developer’s commitment to honouring the site’s artistic legacy, and criticise the current presentation of the murals as inadequate and hidden from public view.  

“It’s a shame to see what has become of the art,” lamented one local artist. “The Tivoli car park was a unique space, and the murals were a vital part of Dublin’s cultural landscape. It feels like a piece of our city’s identity has been erased.”  

These sentiments reflect a broader concern about the tension between urban development and the preservation of spontaneous cultural expressions like street art. While redevelopment is often necessary for urban renewal and economic growth, it can also lead to the loss of valuable cultural assets. The Tivoli car park case highlights the need for a more balanced approach, one that recognises the importance of preserving cultural heritage while pursuing urban development goals.  

Preserving Street Art: Challenges and Opportunities

The Tivoli car park case raises important questions about how we preserve street art in a rapidly changing urban environment. While the inclusion of a preservation condition in the planning permission was a positive step, its implementation has highlighted the need for a more comprehensive and nuanced approach.  

One key challenge is the ephemeral nature of street art itself. Unlike traditional art forms, street art is often created in public spaces without formal permission and is subject to change, decay, or removal. This makes its preservation inherently complex. Another challenge is the tension between preserving the authenticity of street art and integrating it into new developments. Simply relocating or replicating murals can strip them of their original context and meaning.

Despite these challenges, there are opportunities to develop more effective strategies for preserving street art. These include:

Proactive documentation: Creating comprehensive archives of street art through photography, videography, and oral histories.
Community engagement: Involving local artists and communities in decision-making processes related to street art preservation.
Creative integration: Exploring innovative ways to incorporate street art into new developments, such as creating dedicated art spaces or incorporating murals into building designs.
Legal frameworks: Developing clear guidelines and policies for the protection and preservation of street art.
By learning from the Tivoli car park case and adopting a more proactive and collaborative approach, Dublin can ensure that its vibrant street art scene continues to thrive and contribute to the city’s cultural richness.

Conclusion

The Tivoli Theatre and its associated car park were more than just physical structures; they were spaces that held cultural and artistic significance for Dublin. The theatre, with its long and varied history, played a vital role in the city’s entertainment scene, evolving from a meeting place for political discourse to a venue for diverse artistic performances. This echoes the car park’s later role as a space for artistic expression, highlighting the site’s continuous role as a platform for free expression.

The loss of the car park’s street art, despite the preservation condition in the planning permission, underscores the need for a more holistic approach to preserving cultural heritage in the face of urban development. Key takeaways from the Tivoli car park case include the importance of:

Clear and enforceable preservation guidelines: Ensuring that preservation conditions are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Community involvement: Engaging local artists and communities in the planning and implementation of preservation efforts.
Creative integration: Exploring ways to incorporate preserved art into new developments in a meaningful and accessible way.
By learning from this case and adopting a more proactive and thoughtful approach, Dublin can ensure that its vibrant street art scene continues to thrive and contribute to the city’s cultural richness for generations to come.