Evolving
Over the last year, islands all over LA have been visited. There were also various kinds of activities includes picnics, art in public temporary installation, and a collaboration with Fallen Fruit to re-imagine how barren land on traffic islands that were irrigated by the city could be used to grow tomatoes. Many signs were installed, inviting people to notice the space, and beginning a conversation with the city and its constituents.
The gestures have been a way to investigate, interact and observe. People began sharing stories and I learned about the frequent use of traffic islands as war memorials and neighborhood placemarkers (and place makers). One thing lead to another. I placed a sign on an island which led to being invited to build an island sculpture for a gallery and that led to an island activity, a meeting with the Santa Monica cultural affairs department and learning that islands on San Vicente are contested (locals unhappy about outsiders coming in to exercise on them). A lawyer began providing Islands of LA with pro-bono First Amendment advice. It appears that traffic islands with pedestrian access are likely to be considered public forums and that they would receive additional protection under the first amendment for assembly and other expressive activities.
Beyond the legal and anecdotal there have also been theoretical and ethical questions of place, space, public, democracy, parochialism, community, discussion, art and personal agency. Some of these ideas and dilemmas I was aware before the project began and others surfaced over time.
The conversation is now beginning to move in a different direction. The broad geographical approach is being replaced or maybe it will dovetail with a localized approach that involves spending more time in a few locations.
