Bridge 3: Collective Manifesto

Bridge 3 Experience Reflections:

I really enjoyed working in a supporting group, our collective ideas as one turned out to come to the light as an art installation. Planning out our concept, finding and constructing our materials, and setting our installation up in Washington Square Park was truly a eye-opening experience. From our own installation and the others I learned a lot about the dark history of the United States and how people do care as they stopped to read and examine all of our installations.

2. Selections from Manifesto Historical Reference investigation:

Art in odd places~ introducing The Donuts

During our experiences with art in odd places we discovered :

Cigarette butts
We just read all our letters out loud together.
It was cool
Gandhi statue
There are paper flowers
The guy selling them is playing the harmonica
The weather is nice fall weather
There are 3-ish people holding “Free Hug” signs
A lot of us read our letters out loud together – it was fun!
We accidentally stepped in front of a bus stop
We’re going to see if the “red thing” is anything
The red thing isn’t something that pertains to what we’re doing Everyone follows Veronica! It was funny.

THE DONUTS MANIFESTO Ideologies:

We believe that the “uglier” history of America should be remembered to find the larger truths
We must look into ourselves and how our society perpetuates this culture of violence
We must empathize to create a compassionate world
Understanding inward affects actions outward
Every life has a value, therefore we should recognize every human life and it’s importance.
We must recognize those whose deaths have become “anonymous” as history, written by their oppressors, has chosen to ignore them.

Time and Utopia Mapping:

“Art in Odd Places” Observation Notes: –

The weather was pretty chilly, I huddled into my jacket.
We started off walking down 14th street, and went towards Union Square where we found the Buddha statue –
We thought there would be an installation when we looked around, but we only found a man selling colourful paper roses
We walked all the way up until an NYU dorm, then we turned around.
As we walked further, we found a glowing sculpture full of lights, it looked like a stack of red lollipops.
Members of the class performed their future self letters in public, and some people were listening

Collective Dinner:

Our menu:

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors site reading:

The fence is enframing two people who are seemingly locked within a loving embrace. The “fence” keeps out everything but the couple; however, viewers can pass through. The cage protects or shields the figures from the arch. The arch is decorated with images symbolizing war and peace, and perhaps the cage is attempting to protect the two figures from the dangers of war (symbolized by the arch). Instead of excluding viewers from entering the personal space of the two figures or separating the two elements from each other, it brings them together. It entraps both the viewers, and the figures, within the cage.

The work is able to convey a sense of protection by showing an image of two people hugging, which is an inherently positive and sheltering experience; Furthermore, the “cage” seems to act as an umbrella for the figures. It showcases inclusivity by allowing viewers to interact by walking through the site.

Notes:

the fence installation has a shadow of two people which is the majority of the piece.
The fence takes up most of the arch
When people walk through it, it shows their reflection and brings them together as friends
lights up at night

Week 9 Reading Response reflection

In The Need for Roots and Gravity and Grace, Simone Weil explores the need for agency and creation in one’s life. She argues that rather than merely exist and work for necessity, there is a responsibility for one to contribute to a greater discussion and/or artistic endeavor. “To strive for necessity and not for some good-driven not drawn-in order to maintain our existence just as it is-that is always slavery” (Weil 180). While (according to Weil) “Man’s greatness is always to recreate his life…Through his work he produces his own natural existence” Tijoux illustrates how women are not given that power, to write their own narrative and to produce their own “natural” existence (Weil 178). Instead, women are forced to subscribe to an image that objectifies them and vilifies anything “natural” (for example, aging is presented as a flaw or a personal failure).

5. Selections from or complete copy of your Final Collective Manifesto

THE DONUTS MANIFESTO

Our collective, the Donuts, have noticed that because history is written by oppressors, the deaths of those who are weak and vulnerable are often deemed inconsequential and subsequently forgotten. We believe that every life has a value, therefore we should recognize every human life and its importance. Our collective concludes that the “uglier” history of America, the history that does not paint the victors as heroes, should be remembered to discover the larger truths, the factual records. The Donuts feel that we must reflect on how our society perpetuates this culture of violence and oppression. Our goal is to raise awareness about these aforementioned issues; and, that in order to do so we must empathize with the oppressed. By combining this sense of empathy with action, we have the ability to create a more compassionate world.

For the previously stated reasons, the Donuts have decided to use art as a means to bring about a positive social change. By using art to prompt a discussion about the history of Washington Square Park, the Donuts hope to educate viewers about how this plot of land serves as an example of the atrocities committed throughout America as a whole. Our goal is to create an art installation that identifies the victims of unnecessary death and give a voice to those who have been shrouded in anonymity.

The name “The Donuts” was selected by the collective as a metaphor for the country we live in. While, upon first glance, our world may seem hopeful and promising, at its core America is deeply flawed; similarly, although a donut seems to be merely delicious and sweet, they are actually very bad for one’s health. Underneath the sticky-sweet exterior, the culture of America has the tendency to be extremely problematic (particularly when it comes to violence) and our collective wants to highlight these wrongs. By acknowledging and highlighting the real historical truths, the Donuts believe we can make a difference in the future treatment of marginalized peoples as well as address greater issues of American history, society, and culture.

6. Photos of inspiration for concept(s) for Public Art Installation