November 10th Deborah's tutorial - design and facilitation team

A thoughtful presentation in our tutorial courtesy of Stephanie, John, Sarah and Michael on reclaiming public space.  It was a rich with many elements.  The group opened with a video about the public space intervention called Free Dance Lessons that took place on Toronto streets and in subway stations.  The group then provided us with a ritual in which we could reclaim public space that advertisers have taken from us.  We were provided with the McDonalds golden arches logo and also a wall of course kits covers that we were able to graffiti.

We all had a hand in reclaiming these adverisments and re representing them

Some student comments were recorded while they were engaged in the process...

"I'm into it"

"Overwhelming, I don't know where to start.  We rarely have this opportunity to make things our own and I don't know what to do when I do have the opportunity."

"I love it, I love it.  I feel  like a rebel, I feel free."

"Swell!"

"I'm happy and hungry...this is so fun. It's such a good idea."

"This is soooo fun and engaging.  It's really nice to be expressive and artistic in the middle of a day of lectures."

"Ba da ba ba baaaa...I'm lovin' it (laughing)"

Delicious food was purchased by the group when they went to Evergreen Brick Works farmers market.  This is a "large-scale example of reclaiming space." Click link below for much more detail.

Evergreen Brick Works

(pumpkin pie credit goes to Samay.) :-)

The concluding activity was called The Walls.  One wall in the class was labeled 'agree' and the opposite wall labeled 'disagree'.  The following 3 statements were read and we were to situated ourselves either at one end or the other, or somewhere in between according to how much we agreed or disagreed. 

·         I think that what happens in public spaces should be regulated by the municipal government.

·         I think anyone should be able to plant vegetables or fruit in public space.

·         I think graffiti should only happen in designated areas.

To visually see where other stood on these issues in relationship to our own views was thought provoking. Discussion ensued. 

Public Space Interventions

Maggie provided much food for thought in her presentation.  Some public space interventions, she stated, are a critique of what social conditions exist, sometimes they are a proposal for what could be, and sometimes a little of both. We were asked to think about whether the practice responds to clear rules, either written or unwritten.  We also were asked to reflect on the level of risk in the practice and who was bearing that risk. 

So what is public space anyway?

To take a closer look or do a little more research on a group that interested you, please take a look at the links provided below. 
Surveillance Camera Players
A Queer Kiss-In
Ghost Bikes
For more on Fernando Traverso
Commermorations of the disappeared in Argentina
And also this

Other practices discussed that can be searched on google:
Vari Hall Megaphone Choir
Exposing and breaking rules - Rosa Parks
All gender washroom signs
Quiet - homeless sleeping sign by Mark Daye, OCAD
Critical mass
Squats
Reclaim the streets
Portland city repair

Public Space used as Art Sightings!!

Have you seen an example of a public space as art in your neighbourhood or travels? Share it with us here! 


Not sure how to post to the blog or just can't be bothered? No problem! Email us and we will put it up for you.

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Ritual...

A ritual can be defined as any customary observance or practice (wordnetweb). We have experienced song, music, drumming, theatre exercises and thank you Ben for presenting spoken word today. 

We might think about how we define ritual in the context of our CAP class.

Eco Art & Media Festival Announcement

To find out how to participate in the next annual Eco Art Festival click the linky for more details. 

• Meeting Monday, November 15 at 1:00pm in HNES Rm 141.

York U website

York International Internship Program

A plethora of information about the YIIP program is available for those wanting to follow up on todays presentation.  Where? Just click the links below:

Facebook
York International
EMAIL

Or visit them in the Student Centre suite 200.

Week 2 - Maggie's Tutorial - Class Activity

Hey fellow Community Arts Activists,

Earlier in the year, our second tutorial consisted of an ice-breaker/get to know everyone activity where the previous week, was asked to bring in an object that you think describes one's own community. What was great about it, was that everyone participated, had fantastic stories to share, and was cool to see the variety of objects to relay the story. It was also interesting to see, that I could notice some similarities in terms of the type of objects brought to class. And one final point that I found out... that 1.5 hours is just NOT ENOUGH time to get through a Community-Arts tutorial. :D

Below are some corresponding pictures. Enjoy Responsibly!