I meant to write this post two weeks ago but my partner’s accident and our move to a new house has thrown things behind. So this is the first time I’ve had a moment to try to recover some of the wonder and elation that I was feeling at the end of the trip: new…
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Bearers of Ill Feeling and Gentrification Debates
Yesterday in class we were talking about happiness scripts, cruel optimism, late liberalism and exhaustion in the brackets of recognition, and the unequal distribution of emotional legibility, among other things. A student (Curry Chandler) gave a really interesting presentation about Smart Cities initiatives, reading, among other things, the way the language of big data and…
MOS France 2015: Showcasing Global Graffiti
MOS Advert in square. 2015. Meeting of Styles France, held July 18 to July 26, offered an immersive hip hop experience where spectators could enjoy displays of skill in graffiti, break dancing, and skating, as well as opportunities to learn about the history of the art form. Housed again at Casa Musicale, a cultural center…
MOS France 2015: Entretien avec Djalouz/Interview with Djalouz
A Parisian graffiti artist, Djalouz speaks about his influences and style. Thanks! CB: I am here with Djalouz. It is the 18th of July at MOS France. So, when did you start to do graffiti, and why? D: I started 12 years ago…first with bombing, and I liked that a lot, that one could do…
Let Her Be Elevated: Andy B’s Exploration of Movement, Fearlessness, and Vulnerability
I’ve known Andy for her mosaic work, in particular, a project she developed with the Chicago Public Art Group at Foster and Lake Shore Drive, Belmont and Lake Shore Drive, and Osterman Beach, and for her smaller scale projects as part of RedBull curates. Her work is frank, fresh, dynamic, and energetic. More recently I…
River of Words Oral History Project: Bill Steen, “Vortex,” “Alhombra” and the Politics of Class in Historic Districting
On February 15th I met with Bill Streen. His words are “vortex” and “alhombra.” In our discussion he brought up the fraught politics of historic districting, notably, the class exclusions that can occur. He reflected: “My wife and I signed a petition to not have the expansion of the district. I think all districts are…
River of Words Oral History Project: Bette McDevitt, “Friendship” and Slippery Stones in the River
I met with Bette McDevitt on February 22, 2015. She had some interesting thoughts about future challenges to HRC, notably, the possibility that more and more neighborhoods will want to have solar panels, a clash that might make the HRC “a dinosaur.” She also identified the different ways in which the non-english words in the…
River of Words Oral History Project: Kathy Deis, “Retirement” and “Renacimiento”
I had the pleasure of meeting Kathy Deis on February 22nd. She is actually the mother of Terri Wiezoreck, and so she is responsible for that additional interview as well. Her words are “retirement” and “renacimiento” both pointing to a sense of renewal and new stories that occur as one follows life’s stages. The words,…
River of Words Oral History Project: Robin Alexander, “Solidaridad,” and the Words’ Multiple Uses
On February 22nd I had the opportunity to speak with Robin Alexander, a former worker in the United Electrical workers union, who herself has helped organize an international mural project. her word is “Solidaridad,” “Solidarity.” River of Words was a complicated project, one that, for Robin, has been framed in the media as a critique…
River of Words Oral History Project: Jennifer Tharp, “Zombies,” and art as community connector
I met with Jennifer on February 22, 2015. She is a visual artist who lives in the Mexican War Streets and her word is “Zombies.” In addition to the interactive element of the installation (she and her husband will playfully scare passersby who are checking out the word, growling and snarling like zombies) it also…