Presenting visual and performance art in unexpected public spaces.

AiOP 2017: SENSE- Get to Know This Year’s Artists! Arantxa Araujo

AiOP Sense Banner

Name: Arantxa Araujo

Project Name: SENScope”

Arantxa Araujo 1

Description:

At any given moment millions of stimuli are processed without our awareness. Sensory processing occurs extremely fast, especially in the streets of New York City, where we are constantly bombarded by extreme weather, high volume pitches and pungent smells; but also by a light breeze, a ruby sunset or the baby blue blanket on the subway.

Arantxa Araujo 2

I plan on slowing down the pace of this city by almost stopping mine. I propose to serve as a luminous lense, a moving lighthouse, a SENScope that audiences can follow to undergo this experience. Through a durational meditative walk along 14th street, I will perceive as many stimuli as possible and guide the audience by subtly pointing out the obvious, the commonly unnoticed. It will be a journey to go from the physical and sensual to the spiritual and energetical. How? By taking those who venture into an entrancing stroll that will awaken their perception so to notice the announced stimulus or to start a list of their own, and of course, for the duration of their choice. Step by step, moment by moment, their mind will be invited to stop its usual pace, and to get into the here and the now of our enticing New York.

When processing what affects us we comprehend our surroundings and context. I intend to spend mindful time deconstructing the input received, by minimizing output (sharing my process through audio/visual) and creating awareness of the vibrational aspect our surroundings; the micro in the macro and vice versa. I will become a useful tool, an active lense that participants can grab onto in order to experience a deep connection with outer sense and inner understanding.

Arantxa Araujo 3

SENScope:

A see-through, lens-like apparatus with inner light that provides a frame to experience (see, listen, feel, taste, smell, know: to sense ) life with along a journey on 14th street following Earth’s rotational force.

Arantxa Araujo 4

Schedule:

4pm-9pm each day

AiOP 2017: SENSE- Get to Know This Year’s Artists! Mark Power

AiOP Sense Banner

Name: Mark Power

Title: “Plastic Copy Of A Pile Of Firewood”

Description: 

In a useful/practical manner, a small pile of firewood is stacked on the sidewalk on 14th street.   However, this is not a real pile of firewood; it has been re-created by fabricating a plastic, hollow, replica of the original objects.

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

My interpretation of the theme “sense” is inherently reflected by a core tenant in my work, which is to clearly identify and then to obscure our relationship with comfort/familiarity.

Mark Power

Why do you believe 14th street is a compelling site for creative response?

14th street is a hard hitting, unsympathetic, pass-through arena.  The out of context, unintentional viewing, the hopeful lingering moments or the reality of being ignored are, for me, the fun interesting moments that make this project exciting. Anything can happen.

What reaction are you hoping to draw from the public?

Being an object based work of art, it is up to the passerby if they are going to turn their head, look or stop. I am hoping for that fleeting unprepared moment of being recognized when the sculpture catches your eye or the viewer stops momentarily.