News
Workshop w/ LA Urban Rangers: MOCA Engagement Party
October 10, 2011
In August, I was invited to be an LA Urban Ranger at their Critical Campout, 9/1 at MOCA’s Engagement Party. I built a participatory, temporary structure and worked with Sara Daleiden to design an “Alternative Shelter” workshop. The structure’s imagery derived from existing MOCA architecture, notably a portion above the main entrance with a curved roof and diagonal windows. The fort was made from PVC and various joints, canvas, and had 200 loose panels of two-toned taffeta, the color of which resembled the tinted windows of the museum. Participants were invited to imagine and craft an image of a personal fort they would use in a ‘changing urban climate.’ These panels were then attached to the armature, so the structure’s “window-walls” grew more full as the night progressed. See photos of the piece here and more on the LA Urban Rangers here.
Utopia-Milwaukee
August 09, 2011
At summer’s end, I worked with Milwaukee Public Theater and youth from 3 organizations to design and create a new Milwaukee – a “Utopia” portable city on a float. This project was intended as a space for youth to respond to the mob violence that has occurred in the city twice this summer. They envisioned what a new and improved city would look like through brainstorming, sketching, and sculpting with recycled materials. One high school senior, shown above, made a building that is a center for art, music, acting, and dancing, with the name STAMPP, an organization she has already started in her community. We had a few conversations, and the result was that she passed out a few hundred flyers about her fledgling organization via the Utopia float.
The MPT All People’s Parade was in conjunction with Laborfest parade, on Labor Day, sept 5th.
REFOUNDATION
June 16, 2011
My work is situated in the 29th & Melvina St. Park as well as the empty lot at 24th and Locust Street, Milwaukee, WI. I will be spending four days a week between these sites from 6/25 – 7/23/11. “Refoundation” is a project within IN:SITE’s “On and Off Capitol” initiative, in partnership with the City of Milwaukee and the 30th Industrial Corridor / Business Improvement District .
I will facilitate public workshops generating multiple tent sculptures, performances, and showcasing local talent. These activities will enliven an underused public park as well as a neighboring empty lot, which I think about as a “sister city.” I am thinking about the tent structures as miniature buildings, asking participants to create new architecture. I will be working with Milwaukee Public Schools Park and Rec, the neighborhood watch, Dominican Center for Women, and a local gospel choir.
Veterans Book Project
March 16, 2011
This March and April, I traveled with Monica Haller and the Veterans Book Project as an assistant to the Colorado Springs and San Jose book workshops. It was an incredible experience to help people create their books. Please find more info about Monica and VBP at www.veteransbookproject.com
