AiOP 2015: RECALL Artists: LuLu LoLo as Joan of Arc of 14th Street— Asks “Where are the Women?” A Call for Monuments of Women in New York City

Art in Odd Places (AiOP) 2015: RECALL is our 11th year and all about looking back at the artists and projects that made these festivals possible over the years. For RECALL, AiOP has invited back over forty artists to either present their original work or produce a completely new one that explore artworks in all disciplines outside the confines of traditional public space regulations. As we gear up for the festival next month, here is a preview of some of the works people can expect to see along 14th Street in October.

Project Title:

LuLu LoLo as Joan of Arc of 14th Street—

Asks “Where are the Women?”

A Call for Monuments of Women in New York City

Project Description

LuLu LoLo as Joan of Arc of 14th Street, attired in battle armor, helmet, sword, and shield, will interact with passersby asking “Where are the women?” as she leads a call for more monuments of women in New York City. Stepping off her pedestal on the façade of the Jeanne d’Arc apartments, Joan of Arc of 14^th Street will march to Union Square Park, inviting passersby to pose with a placard proclaiming their choice of a woman who deserves a monument in New York City. She will highlight the disparity of 150 monuments honoring men as opposed to only 5 honoring women.

LuLu LoLo as Joan of Arc of 14th Street— Asks “Where are the Women?” A Call for Monuments of Women in New York City. Photo courtesy of Keka Marzagao.

What was the first AiOP festival that you had participated?

The first AiOP Festival I participated in was 2009 Sign. In “Extra! Extra! Read All About It,” I appeared as “14^th Street Newsboy” attired in knickers and cap like a newsboy of the turn of the century. For four weeks I hawked a free newspaper to passersby, “The 14^th Street Tribune” that I researched and wrote articles about the history of 14^th Street. The newspaper was extremely popular with the public and many people wanted to collect all four issues.

I also have been in two other AiOP Festivals:

2011 Ritual as “The Gentleman of 14^th Street” in “ A Tip of the Hat on 14^th Street,” attired as a gentleman of late 19^th century in top hat, white tie, and tails—I strolled 14^th Street enacting the once popular male ritual of “tipping one’s hat” as a nonverbal greeting.

2013 Numbers as “Loretta the Telephone Operator” circa 1940, wearing a vintage headset in “Remembrance of Phone Numbers Past,” inviting passersby to connect with the earliest telephone number they remember—all callers could leave a voice message to the past.

What are your thoughts on participating in an AiOP festival again?

AiOP is my favorite Art Festival and I look forward to it every year, especially to see what the theme will be. I appreciate the freedom and support that Ed Woodham, the AiOP staff, and the curators offer to the artists. It is always wonderful to interact with the other artists that are participating—as we pass each other on 14^th Street.

Why is 14th Street a compelling site for creative response?

The bustling atmosphere of a major thoroughfare such as 14^th Street is exciting. Add to that the long history of 14^th Street as a center for political activism, theaters, concert halls, department stores, artist studios, and even the Metropolitan Museum.

Are you presenting the same project as last time?

At first I was going to once again be “The Gentleman of 14^th Street” with a different twist, but then decided to create a new project.

If presenting a new piece, why did you decide on something new?

I have been wanting for a long time to highlight the fact that there are few monuments to women of achievement in New York City compared to the many monuments to men. My fondness for the Statue of Joan of Arc on the façade of the Jeanne d’Arc apartments at 200 West 14 Street sparked the idea that 14^th Street was the perfect venue for this performance.

What reactions did you see the last time you staged your work on 14th Street?

I have always had a positive and rewarding time with the public on 14^th Street. “Remembrance of Phone Numbers Past,” my last performance, served for many people as a cathartic experience as they telephoned to leave a message to a parent who had passed away. I have been performing with AiOP since 2009, and the public’s preoccupation with their cell phones has increased more and more over the years, making it difficult to garner the public’s attention.

What reactions are you hoping to draw from the public this time?

As always I hope to engage the public and have a dialogue with them about the lack of monuments to women. I will encourage each person to pose with a placard bearing the name of a woman they feel deserving of a monument. I also hope to jolt the public out of their trance-like state with their cell phones, and to look up instead and interact with the artists on 14^th Street.