班克斯的利物浦老鼠：城市藝術、歷史與轉型的故事

利物浦杜克街的一座具有歷史意義的建築曾經是白宮酒吧的所在地，並以描繪巨鼠的班克斯壁畫而聞名。這家酒吧是當地人和遊客經常光顧的地方，自 2004 年該藝術品出現以來一直是一個地標，但該建築經過了翻修，現在是一家法國風格的咖啡館酒吧。

Amidst the vibrant streets of Liverpool, where history intertwines with modern-day vibrancy, a tale unfolds around a once-derelict building at the intersection of Berry Street and Duke Street. This former abode of the Whitehouse pub bears witness to a remarkable episode involving an iconic street artist and a captivating piece of urban art.

在利物浦充滿活力的街道上，歷史與現代的活力交織在一起，一個故事圍繞著貝里街和杜克街交叉口一座曾經廢棄的建築。這座前白宮酒吧的住所見證了一位標誌性街頭藝術家和一件迷人的城市藝術作品的非凡插曲。

In 2004, this dilapidated structure became an unexpected canvas for Banksy, the enigmatic graffiti maestro whose works have garnered global acclaim. Under the cloak of night, he bestowed upon the building's façade a colossal rat, a symbol of resilience and irreverence. The rodent's presence instantly transformed the building into a local landmark, drawing curious onlookers and art enthusiasts alike.

2004 年，這座破舊的建築成為班克斯 (Banksy) 意想不到的畫布，這位神秘的塗鴉大師的作品贏得了全球的讚譽。在夜色的掩護下，他在建築物的外牆上畫了一隻巨大的老鼠，象徵著堅韌和不敬。這隻囓齒動物的出現立即將這座建築變成了當地的地標，吸引了好奇的旁觀者和藝術愛好者。

The rat, adorned with an audacious swagger, stood proudly for nearly a decade, its audacious form imbuing the crumbling edifice with an aura of urban chic. However, in 2013, as part of a comprehensive renovation, the artwork was carefully removed, much to the dismay of many who had come to appreciate its subversive charm.

這隻老鼠帶著大膽的招搖，驕傲地矗立了近十年，它大膽的造型為這座搖搖欲墜的大廈注入了都市時尚的光環。然而，2013年，作為全面整修的一部分，這件藝術品被小心翼翼地移走，這讓許多欣賞其顛覆性魅力的人感到沮喪。

Today, the building echoes with a different ambiance, having been reborn as the Petit Café Du Coin, a charming French-inspired café bar that pays homage to the city's diverse culinary scene. Its verdant and gold facade stands out against the backdrop of the city center, echoing the vibrant hues of its sibling establishments on Allerton Road and Lark Lane.

如今，這座建築煥發出不同的氛圍，重生為 Petit Café Du Coin，這是一家迷人的法式咖啡館酒吧，向這座城市的多元化美食致敬。其翠綠的金色外觀在市中心的背景下顯得格外引人注目，與阿勒頓路和拉克巷的兄弟酒店的充滿活力的色調相呼應。

Yet, the legacy of the Whitehouse pub and Banksy's enigmatic rat endures, forever etched into the annals of Liverpool's architectural and artistic heritage. The building remains an enduring testament to the city's rich maritime past, having once served as the residence and confectionery shop of the illustrious Baines family, prominent shipbuilders who played a pivotal role in the city's maritime ascendancy.

然而，白宮酒吧和班克斯神秘的老鼠的遺產仍然存在，永遠銘刻在利物浦的建築和藝術遺產的史冊中。該建築仍然是這座城市豐富的海洋歷史的不朽見證，曾經是著名的貝恩斯家族的住所和糖果店，貝恩斯家族是著名的造船商，在這座城市的海洋崛起中發揮了關鍵作用。

In the 1800s, as Liverpool emerged as a global shipping hub, Duke Street became the heart of the city's maritime elite. The Baines family, led by James Baines, a renowned merchant, shipowner, and shipbroker, established a formidable shipping empire, operating a fleet of vessels along the Liverpool Black Ball line, connecting England and Australia.

1800 年代，隨著利物浦成為全球航運中心，杜克街成為該市航海精英的中心。貝恩斯家族在著名商人、船東和船舶經紀人詹姆斯·貝恩斯的領導下，建立了一個強大的航運帝國，在連接英格蘭和澳大利亞的利物浦黑球航線上運營著一支船隊。

The Baines' confectionery shop, located at 185 Duke Street, not only catered to the sweet tooth of the local community but also supplied delectable treats to the discerning palates of the Royal Family, further cementing the family's prominence within Liverpool's social fabric.

貝恩斯家族的糖果店位於杜克街 185 號，不僅迎合了當地社區的甜食需求，還為挑剔的皇室成員提供了美味佳餚，進一步鞏固了該家族在利物浦社會結構中的突出地位。

As the years passed, the property underwent several transformations, serving as an immigrant guest house before evolving into the Whitehouse pub, a convivial hub that welcomed countless locals and tourists alike. The pub's warm ambiance and lively atmosphere left an enduring mark on the city's social landscape, with many fond memories still shared by patrons who frequented its hallowed halls.

隨著時間的推移，這處房產經歷了幾次轉變，先是作為移民賓館，後來演變成白宮酒吧，這是一個歡迎無數當地人和遊客的歡樂中心。酒吧的溫馨氛圍和活潑的氣氛在這座城市的社會景觀中留下了持久的印記，經常光顧其神聖大廳的顧客仍然留下許多美好的回憶。

In the 1920s, the Jennings family took the helm of the Whitehouse pub, with James and Mary Jennings, known affectionately as Molly, presiding over the establishment for over two decades. Christine Donaldson, their granddaughter, fondly recalled her family's connection to the pub, sharing tales of her grandmother's impeccable demeanor and unwavering dignity.

1920 年代，詹寧斯家族掌管了白宮酒吧，詹姆斯·詹寧斯 (James Jennings) 和瑪麗·詹寧斯 (Mary Jennings)（被親切地稱為莫莉）掌管了這家酒吧二十多年。他們的孫女克里斯汀·唐納森（Christine Donaldson）深情地回憶起她的家人與酒吧的淵源，分享了她祖母無可挑剔的舉止和堅定不移的尊嚴的故事。

During the tumultuous years of World War II, the pub's cellar provided refuge for the Jennings family, who sought solace from the relentless air raids that plagued the city. The pub's upper floors housed the workshops of Christine's uncles, skilled artisans who plied their trades as a cabinet-maker, chair maker, and cobbler, adding to the building's rich tapestry of human endeavor.

在第二次世界大戰的動盪歲月裡，酒吧的地窖為詹寧斯一家提供了避難所，他們在困擾這座城市的無情空襲中尋求慰藉。酒吧的上層是克里斯汀叔叔的工作坊，這些熟練的工匠從事細木工、椅子製造和鞋匠的工作，為這座建築增添了豐富的人類努力的色彩。

In 2000, the Liverpool ECHO launched its "Stop the Rot" campaign, a clarion call to preserve the city's architectural heritage. By 2004, the derelict building on Berry Street had been bestowed with Grade-II listed status, recognizing its historical significance.

2000 年，利物浦 ECHO 發起了「停止腐爛」活動，吹響了保護城市建築遺產的號角。到 2004 年，貝里街的這座廢棄建築被授予二級保護建築地位，承認其歷史意義。

Amidst the efforts to preserve the building's architectural integrity, Banksy's rat emerged as a beacon of contemporary urban art, imbuing the dilapidated structure with a fresh layer of cultural significance. The artwork, with its estimated value of £1 million, became a symbol of Liverpool's vibrant street art scene and further cemented the city's reputation as a hub of creativity and innovation.

在保護建築完整性的努力中，班克斯的老鼠成為當代城市藝術的燈塔，為這座破舊的建築注入了新的文化意義。這件藝術品估計價值 100 萬英鎊，成為利物浦充滿活力的街頭藝術場景的象徵，並進一步鞏固了這座城市作為創造力和創新中心的聲譽。

In 2011, Ascot Property Group acquired the building, embarking on a meticulous restoration project. The Banksy rat, a cherished symbol of the city's artistic spirit, was carefully removed from the façade, its preservation entrusted to Sincura, a company specializing in the restoration and management of artworks.

2011 年，阿斯科特地產集團 (Ascot Property Group) 收購了該建築，並開始了細緻的修復工程。班克斯老鼠是這座城市藝術精神的珍貴象徵，它被小心翼翼地從外牆上移走，並將其保存委託給專門從事藝術品修復和管理的 Sincura 公司。

Despite extensive restoration efforts, only the upper portion of the artwork survived, as the lower section had been stenciled onto wood that could not be salvaged. The artwork's whereabouts remained largely unknown until a brief appearance in London's "graffiti tunnel" in 2018, where it found a temporary home in a bar aptly named "Rat-bar."

儘管進行了大量的修復工作，但藝術品只有上半部倖存下來，因為下半部被模印在無法回收的木頭上。這件藝術品的下落很大程度上不為人知，直到 2018 年短暫出現在倫敦的“塗鴉隧道”，並在一家名為“Rat-bar”的酒吧找到了臨時住所。

In April 2021, the artwork, now rechristened "The Whitehouse Rat," was transported to the Netherlands, where it was sold at auction. According to the auction website, it fetched an impressive 475,000 Euros, approximately £404,565. News outlets reported that the artwork had been acquired by an English buyer, raising hopes that it might one day return to Liverpool, its spiritual home.

2021 年 4 月，這件現已重新命名為「白宮之鼠」的藝術品被運往荷蘭，並在那裡進行拍賣。據拍賣網站稱，它拍出了令人印象深刻的 475,000 歐元，約 404,565 英鎊。新聞媒體報道稱，這件藝術品已被一位英國買家收購，人們希望它有一天能回到其精神家園利物浦。

The fate of "The Whitehouse Rat" remains uncertain, but its legacy as a symbol of Liverpool's cultural vibrancy and artistic heritage endures. The building at the corner of Berry Street and Duke Street, once a confectioner's shop, immigrant guest house, and beloved pub, now stands as a testament to the city's rich history and its enduring connection to the world of art.

「白宮之鼠」的命運仍不確定，但它作為利物浦文化活力和藝術遺產象徵的遺產卻經久不衰。這座位於貝里街和杜克街拐角處的建築曾經是一家糖果店、移民旅館和深受喜愛的酒吧，現在成為這座城市豐富歷史及其與藝術世界持久聯繫的證明。