First and foremost, this blog entry owes its beginnings to Max Regan, inspirational teacher/human being/force, and his interest in anonymous public art. What is anonymous public art? And why should you practice it in your own life? Anonymous public art, in its simplest definition, is a tangible form of art placed out in the open, in the public world, meant to raise the public's awareness. An example: a student at Naropa University's Summer Writing Program wrote various truisms (controversial, self-evident truths, i.e. "Abuse is negotiable" (Megan Burns)) on yellow cloth and then tied them to tree branches on campus. Though the cloths were reminiscent of prayer flags, what was written on them was not necessarily prayerful. The idea of the cloths was to change the frequency of the public's thinking, to make walkers-by wary of their assumptions. This is why you should practice anonymous public art in your own life: 1. Because it is brave. Because in a way, you are putting yourself out there, confessing. But also because the anonymity of our confessions relieves us of our egos; 2. Because it makes people think twice about their assumption that we are all the same. Because "there will be no revolution in action until there is a revolution in perception;" 3. Because we should all "leave a trail of words wherever we go" (Max Regan); 4. Because, in a way, public art redefines publishing; 5. Because "a single voice may inspire a chorus."
BUT WAIT! Before you begin slipping poetry inside random mailboxes or personal confessions inside library books, remember one thing: anonymous public art involves a lot more than just sneaking around town, tying yellow cloths to tree branches. It involves intentionality and responsibility. Be conscious of the surface you place your writing/artwork on. Be conscious of the possible effects of your writing/artwork. Public art is meant to increase the public's awareness, to raise their thinking, not to exclude and/or harm various peoples.
Aside from all that, however, public art should be fun, it should be exciting, it should be part of our everyday lives (i.e. Noticing that the row of my apartment complex's mailboxes are metal, I had to the idea to make magnets for each mailbox. No doubt the mailman will enjoy himself more. No doubt my apartment neighbors will be curiously thinking about them while opening their mail). No doubt public art will make us all more curious about our surroundings, more observant, more present. And so, this blogpost is intended to ignite your inspiration, spark a creative fire! And then share your stealthy yet surprisingly profound successes RIGHT HERE! (Please?) The hope is that in sharing, the movement will carry on....
BUT WAIT! Before you begin slipping poetry inside random mailboxes or personal confessions inside library books, remember one thing: anonymous public art involves a lot more than just sneaking around town, tying yellow cloths to tree branches. It involves intentionality and responsibility. Be conscious of the surface you place your writing/artwork on. Be conscious of the possible effects of your writing/artwork. Public art is meant to increase the public's awareness, to raise their thinking, not to exclude and/or harm various peoples.
Aside from all that, however, public art should be fun, it should be exciting, it should be part of our everyday lives (i.e. Noticing that the row of my apartment complex's mailboxes are metal, I had to the idea to make magnets for each mailbox. No doubt the mailman will enjoy himself more. No doubt my apartment neighbors will be curiously thinking about them while opening their mail). No doubt public art will make us all more curious about our surroundings, more observant, more present. And so, this blogpost is intended to ignite your inspiration, spark a creative fire! And then share your stealthy yet surprisingly profound successes RIGHT HERE! (Please?) The hope is that in sharing, the movement will carry on....
*image from http://kindnessgirl.com
