Spark District Downtown!

[dougskiles]

Well thats kind of the issue for me.  Basically the video, boiled down to its essentials seems to be saying.

Art.

Downtown.

Its a cipher.  It can mean anything.

But it seems to convey the idea that there would be an arts district downtown, by the device of creating grants that (barely) pay for peices of art to be created there.

But an arts district is not an outdoor gallery.  It is a process--actually a large collection of processs all kind of working in a messy kind of tandem.

Which begs the question, what is the hoped for outcome?

So it could be a bit like art itself.  Subtle.  Mysterious.  Interpreted differently by everyone.

For a guy who champions organic evolution as much as you, I would think that you would be happier if the goals were loosely defined.  Let's give it some time and see where it goes.

when a man plants a tomato seed, he may not know how many tomatoes will come off of the vine, but there is a distinct purpose in having planted the seed, Doug.

Organic evolution doesnt imply mystery or surprise.

If you just want to beautify downtown with locally produced art then theres no reason not to simply state that.

It goes back to my original comment.  Success is defined differently by everyone.

It should be a fun project that hopefully many will participate in.

[Cheshire Cat]

Stephendare: 

Thats two votes so far for:  'I dunno what the heck it means, but it sounds positive

You forgot to add that the thread commentary included the reality that no one save the creators of this idea have yet to see the entirety of what is being planned or how it is to be executed save the video. For me at least the statement would more accurately be that what I have seen presented via the video is positive in expression and until I know more about it, I "choose" to see this as a good thing.  There is nothing I am aware of via the video that leads me to believe this is not a positive effort.  As far as planting seeds.  Some plant with the intention of reaping the harvest, but for others, simply planting a good seed is a positive.  It all comes down to personal perspective and the methods by which we as individuals define "success". In this case there is no harm in looking at the positive aspects of this effort even if in the end it should fail.  It's that old sentiment nothing ventured nothing gained and considering some of the folks working on this idea the potential for good things is there in my view.

[thelakelander]

There is no concrete outcome (at least in the video) outside of there will eventually be some forms of art in a variety of public places within a certain section of the Northbank.  Should there be another expected outcome? What would you desire to happen?

[Cheshire Cat]

No, I didn't hear that broadcast.  Do you know if it was recorded?

Also, regarding the "Spark District" I don't think this is just about "beautification", they also included bands, spoken word and other types of performance art which takes this effort to a level beyond just making the place look nice.  It appears they are looking more toward an overall cultural draw downtown which includes things that can be seen as beautiful.   

[GoldenEst82]

I read the grant guidelines, as my studio is inside the district- however, to me, it read as though they are looking for murals and instillation art.
I imagine street performance could qualify, if the artists vision were focused enough to write a grant proposal about it.
I am not the kind of artist they are looking for in this case, but I know of a few that would fit, and I have passed the word on.

I know that in the Major Cities I have visited, the street/public art (or lack of) is often the clearest indication of what kind of city it is to live in.

[ProjectMaximus]

for the record I am friends with literally every person in that video.  Im going to ask Al Letson about his thoughts on it.  I sat with him for an hour or so yesterday on an  unrelated issue, but did anyone hear the conversation between him and Elton Rivas on Melissa Ross's show on Monday?

Were you his 2:30? Are you the reason why he had to leave our lunch early, lol?

What was their conversation about?

[ProjectMaximus]

No, I didn't hear that broadcast.  Do you know if it was recorded?

Looks like they put their podcasts on itunes...but the most recent one I see is from late March.

[Cheshire Cat]

No, I didn't hear that broadcast.  Do you know if it was recorded?

Looks like they put their podcasts on itunes...but the most recent one I see is from late March.

Thank you for the information.  I will keep an eye out for the podcast when listed.

[Cheshire Cat]

for the record I am friends with literally every person in that video.  Im going to ask Al Letson about his thoughts on it.  I sat with him for an hour or so yesterday on an  unrelated issue, but did anyone hear the conversation between him and Elton Rivas on Melissa Ross's show on Monday?

Let us know what Al has to say will you?  That may give everyone a better idea of the focus of the effort.

[dougskiles]

I imagine street performance could qualify, if the artists vision were focused enough to write a grant proposal about it.

I believe (and hope) that street performances will be part of the district, should such artists apply.

I know that in the Major Cities I have visited, the street/public art (or lack of) is often the clearest indication of what kind of city it is to live in.

And also leaves the most lasting impression.