The words you are searching are inside this book. To get more targeted content, please make full-text search by clicking here.

"Barriers Can Be Broken" was created as an Interactive Public Art event
as part of "Global Feast: Under the Cosmopolitan Canopy" (the closing event for Peace Day Philly 2017 and the Market's “Breaking Bread” series)

Discover the best professional documents and content resources in AnyFlip Document Base.
Search
Published by IN8LY U, 2017-11-09 18:08:12

Barriers Can Be Broken

"Barriers Can Be Broken" was created as an Interactive Public Art event
as part of "Global Feast: Under the Cosmopolitan Canopy" (the closing event for Peace Day Philly 2017 and the Market's “Breaking Bread” series)

Keywords: Mural,Community Art,creative placemaking,art,artist,peace day,collage,expression,arts,culture,urban,street art,usa,inclusive,multi-cultural,painting,mural arts,virtues,community,public art,interactive'

AN INTERACTIVE PUBLIC ART PROJECT 

Barriers Can Be Broken

THE STORIES BEHIND THE ARTWORK

SEPTEMBER 23- NOVEMBER 8, 2017

"Barriers Can Be Broken" was created as an
Interactive Public Art event 

 as part of "Global Feast: Under the
Cosmopolitan Canopy" (the closing event for

Peace Day Philly 2017 and the Market's
“Breaking Bread” series).
  

BARRIERS CAN BE BROKEN 2017

PIECING
IT FOR
PEACE

BY C.D. GOOD

"Creative Placemaking is an evolving field of practice that
intentionally leverages the power of the arts, culture and
creativity to serve a community’s interest while driving a

broader agenda for change, growth and transformation in a
way that also builds character and quality of place" -Artscape

In the light of the current themes in the news and
the possible times ahead, I have been very
interested in steering my artistic efforts into the
realm of bringing people around conversations of
building on the traditions of the past to expand
into a harmonious, sustainable future. Since I
have a Mennonite background, the use of fabric
as a medium came naturally. 

In this Interactive Public Art Project, we brought
fabrics from around the world together in one
mural to represent the world gathering together
to recreate a more just and peaceful future.  

It was a completely collaborative process. It was
wonderful to see such a bouquet of people
offering their ideas and talents.  

BARRIERS CAN BE BROKEN 2017

PThroecess
THE "HOW" AND THE "WHY" IS THE "WHAT"

This process began in mid-summer when plans were confirmed to begin the
designing of a mural that was to be part of the closing festival for Peace Day
Philly 2017. For the past few years  I had been working outside my traditional oil

painting methods at an installation in Waterloo, Ontario. The investigations
examine my colonial roots, as well as my Metis sons roots on the same land

within themes of co-creation, women's work and quilting.

BARRIERS CAN BE BROKEN 2017

ProposalsTHE PLANS &

The proposal started off quite
abstract: Wire mesh and fabric
from around the world fixed with
beeswax.
Lisa, from Peace Day Philly had a
vision of what it could be.
She envisioned a steaming cup
of coffee or soup and words
woven into the lines. I was very
happy to sink into her vision. 
What I could draw out was the
FEELING. The broken bread like
broken pots of the first people
living there, the copper barriers,
the youth, the elders, the process
being like a wampum belt.
Promises for a new generation
for a future of harmony. 
Happy multi-cultural people
gathering around food was the
main theme though. 

BARRIERS CAN BE BROKEN 2017

GETTING
CLOSER
AND
REAL

WHAT WOULD BE THE OUTCOME?

When my son overheard me talking about the
project on the phone, he donated his khaki
shorts. Another creative, intuitive friend
gathered some beginning fabric from her
heritage and I know the process was beginning.
 I would have to sail with it.

Suddenly everything informed this project. The
library had a mural and I looked closely at it.
There was much about it that I was drawn to.

Mosaics in Toronto captured my attention as I
walked with a technician friend who helped me
devise a plan for the metal screens and shapes
that we would attach the fabric too.

Another friend sat with me to work out how we
would draw on the mesh so people would know
where to put their fabric pieces. It was more
quilt-like and crafty than I was comfortable with
(for a public project in my University of the
Arts hometown). When I finally processed with
my creative partner at The Bright Spot I was able
to bring out a drawing and convert the idea to a
wooden panel. 

  BE BROKEN 2017

BARRIERS CAN

THIS IS A DRAWING THAT THEY CHOSE:

It felt fresh and a fine blend of everyone's ideas.  I scheduled a trial run at
the Kitchener Market. More info at my blog www.rhiah.tumblr.com
 

It worked well in a smaller format. People loved the idea and were happy to bring a message of
inclusion to Philadelphia in this way. I learned a few tips and someone even donated the glue.
Someone pulled the face from his tattered old sketchbook from a vintage Avon Catalogue. 

BARRIERS CAN BE BROKEN 2017

The day before, I had a
place to paint out of the
way of people in the
Security Guards office.
They were so encouraging
and accommodating. Even
their monitor screens
looked like a quilt.  They
offered their ideas too.

As I worked realized that
there should be more
market related images in it.
Luckily there were some old
photos posted around on
the walls.

I had some people pose for
me and started to rally the
idea that this was a
collaboration. 

BARRIERS CAN BE BROKEN 2017

 

Showtime
GLOBAL FEAST: UNDER THE COSMOPOLITAN CANOPY"
(THE CLOSING EVENT FOR PEACE DAY PHILLY 2017 AND   
THE MARKET'S “BREAKING BREAD” SERIES)  

We had put out the request for volunteers and fabric through our networks, 
social media, the art supply store and the University of Art but when Haidee
emailed me to say she would help I was thrilled. Never underestimate what

giving of one's time does for the people that you give to.

The black and white lines were basically laid down. We had a few areas that
were left open to other peoples ideas. We were ready as we would ever be!  . 

BARRIERS CAN BE BROKEN 2017

The Celebrations brought the crowds and the Market was abuzz with world fusion
music and smells of delicious food from all around the world. 

Some people were more comfortable watching, some dug right in.

Deb Schell Photography

Deb Schell Photography

BARRIERS CAN BE BROKEN 2017

Highlights
  STORIES OF NOTE   

In this section, over ten people added their
story and fabric. A woman brought in fabric
making connecting with her
British/Scotish/African roots.  Another person
came in and added a flower
symbolizing Openess. ( they were also using
virtue cards as conversation drivers) 

There was paint there and someone painted
in earrings while another person added a
headdress for over 30 minutes. One child
spent a long time gleefully making the plate
of food that to me, looks like a new fantasy
world. Or a portal. 

It was interesting to see how people chose to
add their contribution. Some spent short
determined moments. Others spent over an
hour and covered more than just one area. 

Words from many languages sprinkled
throughout. People that did not bring their
material chose from the donated selection we
had thanks to generous contributors. I had
brought some Mennonite quilt scraps from my
grandmothers collection just to keep things
personal

My art teacher, at University of the Arts,
Warren Roher would tell us that "The most
personal is the most universal." 

BARRIERS CAN BE BROKEN 2017

  STORIES OF NOTE CON'T  

Words from
Cosmopolitan Canopy  
by Elijah Anderson's book.

One participant shared how she was touring
from Isreal and she felt so safe here in a
public place compared with Isreal. There were
German tourists who translated some of the
words into German. A regular whizzed by
declining the offer and then realized that she
was on automatic and really DID want to help
in such an activity. Our default is so often NO
to asks, even if it is wonderful. She thought
this experience might open her up to new
experiences as a result of participating.  

BARRIERS CAN BE BROKEN 2017

The End

ADDING THE FINAL TOUCHES

The Market generously gave us space to work in the basement. It was perfect.
An acrylic polymer was used to secure the fibers at first on Monday. Then on
Tuesday and Wednesday, we worked to tighten up lines, de-glitter a bit of it
and add more of the text for "Cosmopolitan Canopy." 

BARRIERS CAN BE BROKEN 2017

We worked till I left to catch the 10 pm MegaBus to Ontario. Lisa, from Peace Day
Philly, has an eye for organization and detail. I was so grateful for her contribution
and companionship as we worked to secure all the bits of fabric and paper under
the acrylic glaze. Then it was left to dry and cure. 

BARRIERS CAN BE BROKEN 2017

AND NOW FOR THE FRAME

A Home Depo customer helped me take the panel to the Market when no
taxi was available. Andre ended up volunteering to frame the piece AND
make the stainless steel letters in his workshop in South Philadelphia! How
blessed we were and what a wonderful community statement on how
people can work together for the good of all. 

INSTALLATION DAY! 

Order Pixels Prints Online http://bit.ly/3bcbb

Order Clothes Online http://bit.ly/BCBB1

Color Your World

http://bit.ly/2BCBB


Click to View FlipBook Version