Research Journal Pages
Photos:
Sketches:
Skill: Photography
New skill exploration: Book Arts (incorporating techniques used in Intro to Artist Books Class)
Creative Brief:
For my mapping assignment I decided to walk from my home, E 5th street and 1st ave, to Tompkins Square park. I often go here either with friends, or alone when I need a break. I am interested in exploring public urban spaces because I’m drawn to the social complexity and broad range of their uses; also, because I love being in them so much. I love falling asleep in the grass in the Spring. I love losing track of time as the crowds of people change around me. I love hearing the conversations of others covering all topics from what they’re doing that weekend to where they’ll be sleeping that night. This one location means so many different things to different people, and there is an endless number of memories and emotions attached to the space from its creation to now. Artifacts capture them and hold places in our minds— monuments, fountains, benches, swing sets, colors, textures, shadows, text. I’m interested in exploring these objects and spaces as visual cues. While walking to the park I noticed the different businesses on 1st avenue— mostly bars and restaurants. But, there is a combination of old time classic spots mixed with newer, trendier places. Plant and coffee shops, bars with just the right amount of grime, and tiny cafes with minimal tables line the avenue. These traps lure mid 20 year old hipsters and college students (like me). On each block, I recalled the days and nights I’ve spent with Daniela at, what have become, our regular spots. Lucy’s the bar across from Tompkins Square stands out the most to me. It has been there since 1982 when Lucy herself took over another bar that has been there even longer. Locals (genuine locals and more recent locals) gather for drinks, conversations, and possibly a game of pool. In my mind, this is one of the many stages to witness gentrification in the East Village because of the shifting crowd. As I walked through Tompkins Square it was desolate. It was a cold Saturday morning, and the only people I saw were running or walking quickly to get somewhere else. There was a man sitting on a bench, but it seemed like if given the choice, he’d be somewhere else. As I walked through the empty park I felt like I was walking through the times I’ve been there before; it was much warmer and full of people then. I walked past the monument I’ve been around so many times before and remembered a jazz band playing there once. Another time I sat near this same monument with Daniela when we were both feeling down. She chain-smoked as I played Jeffrey Lewis songs aloud. Out of the many times I’ve sat for hours around the monument, I’ve never once really looked at it. The monument to me was a reference point of my memories, but completely disassociated with what its intended meaning was. Along the streets there are traces of people left behind everywhere— a still life of broken glass, a lemon, and a straw. Stickers, advertisements, lost gloves, bottles, trash. My map explores these objects as clues that lead someone to and through the park through my perception. The accordion style book holds 29 images and can be displayed in multiple variations— each a different experience of going through the space.
assignment 1 creative brief -pp52lu
