The effects The Arty’s closure had on Melbourne’s music community were as broad as they were profound. Inga Lubinis’ decision to spend one and a half years labouring over the creation of a hardcover publication documenting the importance of the venue is just one in a vast array of stunning gestures its patrons have made since its closure.
“I’d spent the last 12 years of my life at The Arty, and eight of those taking photos of sweaty dudes on stage. I’ve always wanted to create a photography book based on images taken at The Arthouse so when I heard the doors were closing it felt like the right time. Owner Mel Bodiam is always doing so many things for other people so this is something I wanted to do for her and her family.”
The book collates pictures and personal accounts of the venue, from a vetible smorgasbord of talent who – again – volunteered their time and resources to contibute to the book.
“I had no experience in publishing prior to this. I actually had no idea what I was doing! Thankfully The Arty community is full of so many talented people: Nick Vine (Samsara) did a brilliant job on the design/layout, and Pete Saladino and Kirsty Kain had the arduous task of editing/proofreading.”
Home Is Where The Arty Is will be officially launched this weekend at The Reverence Hotel, a burgeoning new venue on the outskirts of Footscray that’s known for its tacos and trivia, but perhaps better recognised as the new Arthouse. Opened by The Arty’s owners Mel and Matt Bodiam earlier this year, The Reverence boasts the very same community feel that lent The Arthouse years of dedicated patronage. The facilities are even more impressive. The western suburbs venue boasts two band rooms, a fully operational kitchen, a sunny beergarden and that ol’ lumbering black labrador, known to most as ‘Jack’, The Arthouse’s beloved mascot.
“The Arty’s charm has definitely been rediscovered at The Rev. Mel and Matt are two seriously amazing people and could turn any dive of a pub into a place where everybody wants to be. The first time I walked into The Rev I immediately felt as much at home as I did at The Arty. And just like the original venue, The Rev is a place with no pretentious bullshit, people were there because they genuinely loved music. Matt and Mel gave every band a go, didn’t take a cent from the door takings, and brought together the greatest bunch of people.”
For now, the Home Is Where The Arty Is book launch at The Reverence appears to be an entirely fitting way to celebrate Melbourne’s newest music mecca. At once a reflection on the past and a confident glance forward, the future is bright for the folk drawn to The Reverence. They not only have the dedication of Matt, Mel and Jack Bodiam at their disposal, but the best intentions of each besotted individual who’s ever had the good fortune to call The Arthouse ‘home’.
“I think the photo of Fear Like Us from the last week of The Arty encapsulates what The Arthouse represents”, suggests Lubinis. “At the end of their set the band jumped off the stage, walked through the crowd and played Neo (Deceptercons) in front of the bar surrounded by a packed house singing their lungs out. At The Arty everyone was on the same level. There were no rock stars.”
BY EMILY KELLY
