BooLynn Walsh, Collaborative Social Art Project

OCCUPY THE WALLS – OUR STORY PAST & PRESENT - a visual collaborative social art project

PROJECT SUMMARY:

The intention of this proposal is to create a welcoming, informal meeting space for everyone to participate in an interactive, all inclusive, community art piece which will evolve for the duration of this collaborative event, creating a bond among attendees (both locals, visitors and beyond). It would provide documentation and expressions of the Occupy Movement that many have not been exposed to due to the censorship of mainstream media, lack of internet access or the broad array of lesser known channels. This is “Our Story, Past & Present”.

The installation contains two main components (labeled A and B below) both related to the Occupy Movement and are intended to be presented in the same physical space. “A” is art created during the event on canvas. “B” is a people’s theatre, an informal screening space for the multimedia presentation of short films, animations, photo and puppet shows. I believe this type of community involvement, uncensored creative expression and exposure to be an invaluable component of the event which could be produced for a minimal investment in physical space and materials. I would suggest this be done on the ground floor of the Catskill Community Center and also include a welcome information station with map of events and schedules component.

(A) OCCUPY THE WALLS, PAST AND PRESENT:

This is done with two walls, each covered in a separate piece of large canvas. One wall canvas is labeled “OCCUPY PAST” a second wall canvas is labeled “OCCUPY  PRESENT:” People enter the space and are invited to bring or create a postcard size (4”X6”) flat artwork memento of photos, writings, poetry, newspaper clipping and collages related to the OWS movement and affix it to the appropriate canvas. For OCCUPY PAST, images and impressions that relates to the events of the past. For the OCCUPY PRESENT People are encouraged to document the current events within the time frame of this event particularly local images and feedback as the events are continuously unfolding.

The canvas would begin to fill up with these images respectfully placed in lines like a quilt creating a living testimony of our experience and visions, giving it a voice while evolving into a communal art piece. When the canvas becomes full another piece of canvas will be installed to continue to collect more memobillia. The finished canvases would be sealed with a protective, covering substance, becoming part of the Creative Commons art and image resources collection of OWS, under the care of the Arts & Culture group, to be utilized as needed for future exhibitions, political action etc. (online and physical).

(B) MOVING IMAGES, SLIDE SHOWS, ANIMATIONS AND SHORT FILMS

Moving visual arts, mini movies and animations related to OWS.

In the same room as the living canvases, there is one wall or a screen that would be available to artists to show their Occupy related slide shows, independent documentaries live feeds, animations or do shadow puppet style shows throughout the event’s duration.