Blog – Art in Odd Places

AiOP 2017: SENSE- Get to Know This Year’s Artists! Natacha Clitandre

September 18, 2017 – 12:00 pm

Name: Natacha Clitandre

Title of project + short description:

Spectrography of the 14th Street

I will first sample 14th Street’s material artifacts by collecting valueless objects that people have left on the street and, according to my own interpretation, provide a sense of local history. Inspired by the notion of serendipity, the first item I select will provide me with clues about what I should look for next and so on, until I get a subjective–but cohesive–collection. Then I will display my collection and ask the festivalgoers to take part in the process by providing me with their own interpretation. The result of this two-tier survey will be shown on a web-based cartography updated during the festival.

Natacha Clitandre

My interpretation of the theme SENSE:

Depending on the context and on our personal story, the attention we pay to certain details varies. Spectrography is an attempt to map subjective and objective data such as our different interpretations of items found in a specific location.

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

I think that 14th Street is a good location for this project because its occupants are quite diversified. I’m sure the sample of passers-by I will survey will be interesting.

What reaction am I hoping to draw from the public?

I hope the public will stop their walk, look at my sample of items and answer to my short survey!*

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*: The process of this project will be tested in August and September 2017 as part of a residency I’ll be doing in Montreal.

AiOP 2017: SENSE- Get to Know This Year’s Artists! Laia Solé + Thelma García

September 17, 2017 – 12:00 pm

Name: Laia Solé + Thelma García
Title of project and short description:

RUIDERO. An exploration of the everyday life sounds of 14th street through a collective walk. The project seeks at isolating and amplifying the muffled dynamics of the street, walking and stopping by specific places to listen to its sounds. Ruidero uses QR codes distributed along the street to bring those soundscapes directly to participants’ smartphones.

Laia Solé + Thelma García

How have you chosen to interpret the theme “SENSE?”

We have chosen to interpret it literally, focusing on the sense of hearing. We liked the idea of using headphones in a public space, because it creates an intimate space within the “ruidero” –noisy public surrounding– and simultaneously, one blends in the anonymity of passersby walking on the street.
Why do you believe 14th Street is a compelling site for creative response?

Because it is a straight line that transversely cuts the city. One can walk from east to west or vice-versa, and find a diversity of ecosystems through one single line.
What reactions are you hoping to draw from the public?

We hope that they develop an awareness and curiosity towards the everyday soundscapes.