'Colour in the City' Is the Bright Pop-Up Filling Queen Street Mall Shopfronts with Installations

The latest project from the Sugar Republic crew, this walking trail will fill seven vacant shopfronts in and around the mall with supremely photogenic installations.
Sarah Ward
August 15, 2022

Another year, another excuse to head into colourful surroundings, take a heap of photos and pack your social feeds with colourful snaps. First, the Sugar Republic team brought its original pop-up dessert museum to Brisbane. Then, it set up The Selfie Lab, recognising exactly why people flock to such supremely photogenic surroundings. Now, for two weeks to end winter and start spring, the same crew is setting up Colour in the City.

The overarching theme this time: dazzling hues and plenty of them, all to add some brightness to this time of year. And, as the installation's name also makes plain, it's heading into the CBD, setting up shop in and around Queen Street Mall from Friday, August 26–Friday, September 9.

To enjoy this one — and to take a year's worth of Instagram pics while you're at it — you'll be embarking upon a walking trail, hitting up a number of empty shopfronts that are getting quite the temporary makeover. In total, there'll be seven spaces to wander through, as well as a pop-up funhouse in the Wintergarden called the Pastel Palace.

First, the shopfronts. Some will sit on Adelaide Street, too, and you'll also want to make a trip to Edward and Albert streets. And, if you haven't scoped out the lower-ground levels of the Myer Centre and Queens Plaza, add them to your list as well.

That's where you'll find smiley faces beaming, a pink-hued floral wonderland, glowing neon art and street poster art that's been given a positive twist. Or, you can peer at a traditional candy shop, or channel some optimism against a Singin' in the Rain backdrop. And, there'll also be a hidden plant wall to hunt down.

Once you've moseyed to all of the above Colour in the City stops, wrapping things up at the Pastel Palace will give you more reasons to grab your camera. There, you'll be greeted by a pastel ball pit, a confetti shower and a positive message wall, as well as a rainbow-coloured shaggy hanging that'll sit outside.

While you'll probably remember forking out an entry fee for Sugar Republic's past installations, this one is completely free.

And if you're wondering why it's popping up, the aim is to attract more folks into the city to eat, shop and stay as well — just like the free metered parking deal did earlier this year.

Colour in the City will pop up in and around the Queen Street Mall, Brisbane, from Friday, August 26–Friday, September 9. For more information, head to the Sugar Republic website.

Published on August 15, 2022 by Sarah Ward
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