As most difficult situations are multi-faceted, we should be weary of one-dimensional solutions. That said, "Be the Missing Link" is a gradual proposal that is simple in concept and malleable to what it can solve according to how it's applied. In short, we are a community as much as we participate.
Some participation needs planning to effectively fulfill our needs individually and collectively. Looking at the walls of our city it is clear that there is perceived value in the aesthetics of architectural design and community planning... there is also a sign of participation that is not widely appreciated. Graffiti.
In Alaine De Botton's book Status Anxiety he describes two types of love that humans crave; the intimate love between individuals and the love of "the public". There, again, are several reasons that a person would have varying levels of either, but it is clear that graffiti artists are compelled towards the anonymous love of the public in the face of their disregard for others' property...
Now let's jump to the bigger picture of this public (our community) again, and our relationship with public art. I feel like public art is regarded as an obligation, but that the one's in charge of determining what public art is presented (and even purchased), I feel like those people don't really have a planned vision of what public art can really do outside of an aesthetic addition as a symbol of progress or modernity that ultimately becomes de-valued because of it honest lack of content.
Back to the graffiti artists... here is a segment of our community that are actively participating in the world around them, albeit they are disregarding the community, yet they desire the public. This ambivalence should be capitalized upon by our community leaders. *Leaders are most effective through encouragement rather than authoritative decree, by recognizing individuals for their contributions.
Now back to our community and it's relationship with public art. I believe in the opportunity of using art "for people" (not necessarily BY the people in community) to communicate as well as generate an attitude of wellness that we can live within. What are the constituants of that wellness? Encouragement, respect, participation, accountability... these are values that any member of a community desires and I can only assume wishes for the rest of the community.
So, I'm attempting to build a case for the potential of a dialogue that embraces our local assets (graffiti artist/ rif-raff) that contribute negatively to our environmental psychology by perpetuating blighted appearances and publicly give them the opportunity to contribute in a way that is appreciated by encouragement and suggestion through opportunities that affect the collective understanding of our communtiy... what I mean is, let's give the graffiti artists an opportunity to change the way they view our community, by taking them seriously as artists (as they wish to be seen) and let their work be a positive contribution because it's recognized as communication rather than some esoteric public art. (Does anybody really like big, red, metal sculptures?)
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Garden Influence
Scenery is the fundamental element in garden construction.
Establishing scenery implies the presence of a human gaze, which takes in the scenery.
Scenery emerges out of opportunity.
It is the introduction of buildings in appropriate place that create a sequence of sceneries which form contrasts and oppositions that retain the visitor's interest. A successful garden is one where the scenery changes at each step, providing new viewpoints created by intentional framing processes.
Conceptual principles entail notions of -Seperation, Quest, Suggestion and Passage- 4 tempos of the score establishing link between inside and outside, the illusion of spatial continuity between the foreground and background.
Establishing scenery implies the presence of a human gaze, which takes in the scenery.
Scenery emerges out of opportunity.
It is the introduction of buildings in appropriate place that create a sequence of sceneries which form contrasts and oppositions that retain the visitor's interest. A successful garden is one where the scenery changes at each step, providing new viewpoints created by intentional framing processes.
Conceptual principles entail notions of -Seperation, Quest, Suggestion and Passage- 4 tempos of the score establishing link between inside and outside, the illusion of spatial continuity between the foreground and background.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Kite Dreams
"Throw your dreams into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, a new country" --Anais Nin
Earth Day is April 22nd. Get a kite and fly it from a rooftop! Imagine 1,000 kites flying from the rooftops of Chicago!!! Imagine 5,000 kites changing the scenery of our urban home! Imagine 10,000 kites fying as a symbol of our Community's belief in dreams!!! Imagine 1,000,000 kites across the skyline, a message to the rest of the world!
Be the Missing Link!
Earth Day is April 22nd. Get a kite and fly it from a rooftop! Imagine 1,000 kites flying from the rooftops of Chicago!!! Imagine 5,000 kites changing the scenery of our urban home! Imagine 10,000 kites fying as a symbol of our Community's belief in dreams!!! Imagine 1,000,000 kites across the skyline, a message to the rest of the world!
Be the Missing Link!
Environmental Psychology: Tiepolo and Wurzburg Palace
In the mid-1700's, an Italian fresco painter was asked to paint the ceiling of a German palace. In the planning of the fresco, the artist considered the viewers point of view, so much that the results were chilling.
A Grand Scenery: Christo and Jean Claude's "The Gates"
Christo and Jean-Claude's grand visions have enchanted the world. Here are some drawings and photos from "The Gates", a project that temporarily engaged the citizens of New York to participate in seeing a public space in an "extraordinarily different way and [with] exciting new alignments... the experience has consistently been one of revelation."
Rooftop U2
One of the most chilling performances I've ever seen (even if just a video) Be the Missing Link!!!
Flashmob!!!
This is what I imagine the power of togetherness being like! A massive amount of energy and enthusiasm starting a momentum that gives you chills. Be the Missing Link!!!
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
46th Ward
Congratulations to James Cappleman!
I met Mr. Cappleman about 6:30 on the day of the election and told him about my idea of a community-based initiative around the idea of "Being the Missing Link". Mr Cappleman's reply was of great interest.
It is exciting to think of the possibilities of the fruits of Community relationships and I am working with great conviction in resourcing information to ensure Missing Link Uptown/Chicago with sustained success.
I met Mr. Cappleman about 6:30 on the day of the election and told him about my idea of a community-based initiative around the idea of "Being the Missing Link". Mr Cappleman's reply was of great interest.
It is exciting to think of the possibilities of the fruits of Community relationships and I am working with great conviction in resourcing information to ensure Missing Link Uptown/Chicago with sustained success.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Uptown Wednesday Night
If you've ever been near the Wilson Red Line stop in Uptown, you no doubt have seen a number of people "loitering". In general, it is an atmosphere of anxiety to the casual passer-by who may be concerned for their safety.
Last night around 9:30 I passed through the area and something was very different. Aside from the massive snow drifts being gone and the construction barriers from Truman College gone, the sidewalks were empty. There were no thugs, rif-raf, loiterers or whatever it is that is politically correct to call them. There wasn't even trash on the ground. It was serene. The whole area seemed... nice. It was liberating in a way. I felt relieved of the concern to wear a stone-face and keep my eyebrows down. The yellow halogen street lamps cast a simple warm glow that matched the sound of the music in my headphones. My neighborhood had been cleaned.
With the passing of Winter and a new mayor being elected, I couldn't help but feel a certain civic sentiment of hope and healing for Uptown. I laid awake for hours soaking in my amazement at what I felt on that street corner... alone. But it's not about being alone that I was thinking about, but my neighbors and our local government and the diversity of my neighborhood and the changes that it has experienced in recent past. Uptown is being re-born and there is an oppurtunity for the people who live there to shine light in places that have been dark. I thought about other ways that might improve the quality of our neighborhood and the biggest idea was participation.
As a trend, popular American culture is rife with identity affriming narcissism (probably because that is what fuels consumption and impulse spending). It is difficult to feel "intimacy" and "community" when social identity groups are all making claim to be "included" into the greater social narrative simply by Right rather than participation. The time has come that the greater social norm IS acceptance, but acceptance only lasts when there is value to sustain it. The value of being in a group or a community is not about the group accepting you, but you acting as a member within the group and making a contribution to the overall value of the group. It is a pitiful group that does not expect anything of it's members.
And so it is here that I propose a community initiative to "be the missing link". By very definition, we acknowledge a space that needs to be filled in our community. By definition, we acknowledge that something is missing. There is a part, a link, in a series of links that are asking to be connected to increase the quality and general wellness of our community. It is by the collective vision of a better standard of living that we aspire to have clean sidewalks and a safe passage to the grocery store. It is by particpating in neighborly behavior that we can make our time together feel welcoming and encouraging and healing.
Last night around 9:30 I passed through the area and something was very different. Aside from the massive snow drifts being gone and the construction barriers from Truman College gone, the sidewalks were empty. There were no thugs, rif-raf, loiterers or whatever it is that is politically correct to call them. There wasn't even trash on the ground. It was serene. The whole area seemed... nice. It was liberating in a way. I felt relieved of the concern to wear a stone-face and keep my eyebrows down. The yellow halogen street lamps cast a simple warm glow that matched the sound of the music in my headphones. My neighborhood had been cleaned.
With the passing of Winter and a new mayor being elected, I couldn't help but feel a certain civic sentiment of hope and healing for Uptown. I laid awake for hours soaking in my amazement at what I felt on that street corner... alone. But it's not about being alone that I was thinking about, but my neighbors and our local government and the diversity of my neighborhood and the changes that it has experienced in recent past. Uptown is being re-born and there is an oppurtunity for the people who live there to shine light in places that have been dark. I thought about other ways that might improve the quality of our neighborhood and the biggest idea was participation.
As a trend, popular American culture is rife with identity affriming narcissism (probably because that is what fuels consumption and impulse spending). It is difficult to feel "intimacy" and "community" when social identity groups are all making claim to be "included" into the greater social narrative simply by Right rather than participation. The time has come that the greater social norm IS acceptance, but acceptance only lasts when there is value to sustain it. The value of being in a group or a community is not about the group accepting you, but you acting as a member within the group and making a contribution to the overall value of the group. It is a pitiful group that does not expect anything of it's members.
And so it is here that I propose a community initiative to "be the missing link". By very definition, we acknowledge a space that needs to be filled in our community. By definition, we acknowledge that something is missing. There is a part, a link, in a series of links that are asking to be connected to increase the quality and general wellness of our community. It is by the collective vision of a better standard of living that we aspire to have clean sidewalks and a safe passage to the grocery store. It is by particpating in neighborly behavior that we can make our time together feel welcoming and encouraging and healing.
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