PLAYGROUND FOR ADULTS
I found out that adults love to play.
Janitor of the building seing so much art wanted to express himself artistically. He painted a kinetic swirl on the wall and I put a frame on it.
I always suspected that even middle class technocrats and beurocrats want at least ... a little self-expression. Ron's arrival confirmed it.
He is an Inventor and a Financial Analyst who is socially engaged in a variety of volunteer activities. As soon as he walked through the door, he began to make suggestions how to improve things without knowing the situation, which is always very irritating. When we said good-bye, he returned after 5 minutes with a proposal to bring - a very strong symbol of transformation which he has found on the street, I said "O.K.,". Shining triumphantly, he dragged a stylish European toilet and said that tomorrow he will bring in a plant to put in it, in such a way we will have a symbol called 'The Big Flush'.
Ron initially was attracted to the space by the artwork he saw in the window. In the past he has ben involved with projetcs which explore possibilities of Reuse of disposed materials in the Urban environment. However, the person who has provoked his artistic vein was Tony, janitor of the building. Between them began a silent monologue through objetcs which resulted in a constantly changing installation. In more conventional terms what these two men are doing can be targeted as 'Interactive Community Art'.
Between little tasks Ron loves to entertain visitors, explaining to whoever comes into the door that this is a community playstation, etc., etc., etc....
Very helpful indeed, because I talk only to those who interest me.
Then he has decided to restore his old furniture:
Working inside has been disturbing to others. so Ron has recuperated a few meters of countyard filled with junk for that purpose:
But soon he has abandoned the idea finding that it is too cold to work outside.
Ron illuminated the second collage in the window with a found lamp which he fixed right on the spot.
True to the idea of Reuse, he found and brought in a huge metal table with a glass top, broke the glass and repaired it, bleeding all over.
It was an incredible show of tenacity out of place, something I tend to engage in as well.
Each day there was something to modify... with what's available at hand.
The space is badly heated, so I have asked him to come up with a "quik fix" solution.
In a few hours Ron has created with a few sticks and blankets a self-standing stand.
When nthe tent was ready, Ron exclaimed : "I have not had so much fun since I was 12!" .
But of course he won't be content untill he would get to the root of the problem. So Ron went to explore the basement, and has found the broken pipes.
He was all set to fix the pipes, change filters, sweep the floor, but I had to restrain him, it would not be "politically correct towards the janitor, who , being a
poet in his soul, loves decay.
"Think globally, act locally!".
So he took a low key approach by creating a structure which is under the ceiling which is supposed to rotate warm air.
When I tried to explain to Tony what Ron is doing, he cut me short: 'There must be a reason if he is putting it there!'
Male solidarity...
And while financial analyst is hovering under the ceiling Tony takes on the hard task og illuminating girls about ecological art:
The rotating device had to be sensored, hovwever, because being a visual person I like things to be not only functional but also beautiful.
It is common to speak badly about rigidity of corporate life, but in this case it is frustration was a push into unlimited playfulness.
Ron's modifications of the space within only a week:
He created a constantly changing installation.
He recuperated glass table and organized my instruments.
.
He has organically inserted information about community activity into my exhibition.
I never pay attention to flyers but I have discovered that most visitors are happy to take them.
So now we are "politically correct".
Boxes full of brochures gave me an inspiration to create small art galleries with other artist's work.
Next step was much better. He began to fill boxes with fuit, which inspired my neighbours shop owners to do the same.
Ron is an Oscar of cleaning up.
What's more important, he has helped me to change some of my thinking patterns.
When I say "The problem is...", he corrects, "Challenge. There are no problems, only challenges."
