Name: Maggie Ens
Title of Project and Short Description
FreeSynergyInSite
At curbside, against the backdrop of dense pedestrian-traffic, FreeSynergyInSite appears as part of the 2017 AiOP 14th St. SENSE Festival. During the second week in October, AiOP descends on 14th St. to unconventionally transcend cultural and geographic boundaries. Joining forces in an astonishing array of achievement, this year’s three curators, their staff and its sixty-some artists have come together to create something much greater than they’d be able to accomplish alone.
Maggie Ens’s FreeSynergyInSite invites the public-at-large to stop in their tracks to restore one’s sense of sparkling inner wisdom. Opening the mind’s third eye with complimentary Tarot Card, Native American Medicine Card and Pendulum readings, FreeSynergyInSite honors the vitality of its participants with meaningful messages that divine and illuminate one’s unique path.
FreeSynergyInSite is a collaborative venture designed to engage, surprise and inspire life-affirming dialogue between interested and total strangers, i.e. fellow “travelers through life.” Having survived a hectic workaday week, travelers are free to ward off moody weariness and tap into the creative flow of the synchronistic moment.
FreeSynergyInSite is open to the public from 2 – 4 pm on Saturday, October 14, between 7th and 8th Avenues (curbside between the Teamster’s Union and Rags-A-Go-Go) and from 2-4 on Sunday, October 15 between 2nd and 3rd Avenues (on the sidewalk at the old Synergy health club).
How have you chosen to interpret the theme “SENSE?”
AiOP Festival’s artists and participants let loose with a sense of fun and freedom, engaging in the synchronicity of the moment. As “travelers through life” we listen, feel and flow with the rhythm of “meaningful coincidence”. Breaking through the “rationalistic shell” of modern day real life, we meet up, share stories and visualize a better future. Art works as process, product and participation.
Having had good common sense and divine guidance to use three different divination tools, I hope to interact meaningfully with total strangers. One creative aha moment with Tarot might speak to someone’s need for self-protection, and for another seeker, the Native American Medicine Cards may restore one’s sense of belonging or mystery. Pendulum readings are good too, for simple yes or no questions.
Popular since the Italian Renaissance, Tarot’s cross-cultural and multi-level symbolism reflects one’s life condition like a mirror. Tarot is an anagram for tota meaning “Total”, and rota, “the revolving wheel. ” Tarot teaches that the wheel of life in the outer world is reflected in the entire wheel of life of the individual. So it follows, that if spirituality is a feature of reflection, then this is why we need each other, to mirror.
Reflecting on the cards’ messages gives one a sense of belonging to each other and the divine. Strengthening one’s intuitive powers develops so-called “sixth sense” or extra-sensory perception (ESP). The tools help us to see, feel and hear in this far-reaching deeper way, providing a meaningful access to age-old universal systems for greater self-discovery, empowerment and support.
This is why during the 2017 AiOP 14th St. SENSE Festival I’ll be honoring the individuals I meet with readings and my hand-made art (i.e. cards, painted shells, bookmarks, etc.).
Why do you believe 14th Street is a compelling site for creative response?
During the 2017 AiOP 14th St. SENSE Festival one’s artistic diversity unfolds in a public walkway of transit. I imagine extending my best foot forward to manifest astonishingly sweet and happy accidents. The high volume of foot traffic on 14th St. offers an excellent chance to meet an interesting, creative range of freewheeling personality types.
What reactions are you hoping to draw from the public?
It’ll be delightful to nourish our weary traveler-selves and indulge in the good sense of lots of street art fun, intuitive play, dynamism and good will.
It comes as no surprise to discover that AiOP’s 14th St. SENSE Festival is truly appreciated, especially by those who already know it because they happen to live in the surrounding 14th St. neighborhoods. I was on 14th St. taking preliminary photos of my AiOP Festival piece, when I met an enthusiastic resident of the block, out walking his dog. He glowingly told me that he genuinely looks forward to AiOP’s annual festival. Do you know that nice stranger posted his own FreeSynergyInSite Instagram photos? Getting the word out early so everyone knows what Festival surprises they’ll discover in the near future makes perfect sense.
