Project Return...

I am reworking this project from a new standpoint.  It will no longer be based around busking for money as a series of performances, though I may try that again in the future if it makes sense to do so (having moved to more rural Kansas it doesn't make as much sense right now).  Instead I am going to open it up as an interactive online blog project in the mail art network.

This iteration will debut at Fluxfest with 30 of each type of button offered to those who wish to participate, as well as surveys to fill out.  The idea is that each person can choose to take one or the other button, and then they email me photographs to post here.  Survey responses will also be posted here.

So it becomes more of an art world (or subverted art world) question and response as opposed to a purely public one...  If you are not coming to Fluxfest but would like to participate, contact me with your choice of button but be aware that there will be a nominal fee to offset making and mailing buttons because it can get expensive en masse.

Jennifer Weigel: July 15, 2016

I was going to try busking today again in Davis Square outside of the ArtBeat festival, which opened in Seven Hills Park this evening, but there was already a good sized band set up.

Regardless I think I'm going to discontinue and backburner this project for now.  I had initially formulated it in response to the rapid gentrification here which is causing many artists to be displaced, but it's too close to home to things I'm struggling with personally between not finding work and not knowing how I'll be able to afford to live here, and people just don't know what to make of it.

And with the recent violence and overall feelings globally I'm just not able to connect with it right now at all anyway.  I'm feeling so heartbroken and out of touch and am losing faith in humanity for so many reasons currently and it's gotten me really down.

I will return to this in another form or find a way to integrate it into a show or other context but for now it is on hold as a busking project.

Jennifer Weigel: July 1, 2016

Day's response: disconnect...  Art is dead...

I performed for the second time briefly over lunchtime today from 11 AM - 12:15 PM.  I was told it was "an interesting project" by one passerby, and another whom I spoke with at length as I was packing up to go voiced that he felt art is dead.  As an overall it seemed that people noticed me but were rushed with work and preparing for the holiday weekend so my timing may not have been great as far as connection.

I am going to integrate another component in this project and create a very open-ended but intently focused hyper-abbreviated survey to engage with people in more ways so the end result reads more as a performance event calling for active participation and offers more opportunity for commentary on viewers' behalves.  I shall post the survey responses anonymously here.

Here are a couple of photos from today.  I did get a more involved response on the part of a couple of people, and a couple more who spent more time with it reading the poster but not conversing, so I think adding another element can help.

Jennifer Weigel: June 18, 2016

Day's response: uncertainty...  Perhaps art is lost...

I debuted my busking project today in Davis Square from 11 AM - 1 PM.  I received a lot of notice but people did not interact with me directly, though I overheard one passerby mutter, "I've heard of that."  (I'm not sure I know what he meant, or if he himself does...)  Despite not getting the crowd response I may have desired, or any funds, I still think the performance was successful and provides some insights into the discourse I am seeking to spawn with this project.

I am keeping an ongoing log of how performances went, things to look into & consider, improvements and more.  I am looking into some events I can try to perform at in which more of the art community will be involved.  I am also planning to return to Davis Square on a semi-regular basis to build recognition in the hopes that people will open up to me over time; many passersby walked past more than once and I think given time will open up.