In public space we trust
When you are walking in Tampa Bay (USA), you may come across with colorful swings, hung on trees, random structures and even inside a pedestrian overpass. It’s a project by Swings Tampa Bay, a spontaneous community building organization, that uses swings as tools to spark curiosity, refresh the ordinary perception of the landscape and encourage immediate interaction.
urban regeneration, by the urban artist ZEDZ, on Corvetto bridge, in Milan, january 2012
He conceives graffiti as a three-dimensional collage in which people can move. The work gives rise to a new kind of public space to cross, very abstract and very close to architecture point. The result is interesting: passers-by and inhabitants of the neighborhood in general were attracted by this public action asking questions to the writer even before its conclusion.
‘China Builds’ by John Bennett and Gustavo Bonevardi on Shenzhen’s civic square in Hong Kong in 2011.
Thousands of orange safety cones make us think of change and development in our society and ourselves. An installation allowing the square to be reborn thanks to the curiosity of people as they explore this renovated space. By using a simple object that recalls danger and restriction of movement, designers can achieve the opposite effect.
Friendliness is contagious. That’s what Steve Lambert claims with his I will talk with anyone… project/urban action.
Read the instructions to do it yourself in your city!
Organism by the Indonesian duo Irwan Ahmett and Tita Salina tooks the inspiration from Luchtalarm, the alarm that goes off every first Monday of the month in The Netherlands to control the system. At 12 o’clock during the 1.5 minutes of alarm testing, they create an urban action in the heart of The Hague’s city centre to surprise people.
A new temporary public space in Saint-Etienne (France).
During all the month of July, the collective etc want to give life to an urban void nearby the station, with the inhabitant’s involvement, proposing several work-sessions and activities. They organize construction and gardening workshops, open air cinema, dance, picnic, etc.
They create a blog to follow changes.
Petites Urbanités Libres is a collective project by ktha occurring in the neighbourhood of the cultural centre Confluences in Paris (France). Everybody is invited to explore the area and indicate in the online catalogue petites urbanités libres (tiny free urbanities): little neglected or unused spaces, gaps in public domain, street holes or voids. On 25th June there will be an exhibition and the creative occupation of the spaces.
If your city is missing a boulevard, are you up for the challenge of temporaly creating one? This happens in Dallas (USA) from 24th to 26th June: 3 days and three nights to make-over Ross Avenue into a welcoming and comfortable boulevard.
The contest is open to everyone. Create a team and Better Block will provide you the physical space where to apply your imagination.
In April 2007 Centrala, the Polish designers’ task force, proposed the Heuristic TEST in the TEST Gallery. Milonga lessons, artisans’ market, hairdressing and badminton games: 4 different public events were tested in the arcade along the gallery space of Warsaw (Poland).
La Cartonnerie is located in Saint-Etienne (France). It’s a temporary and experimental corner and a public space. Last november a disused cardboard factory was demolished, leaving a blank area and the opportunity to create a temporary public space. The association Carton plein has been created to accompany the site’s transformation: they will propose several work-sessions and various experiences to help this site slowly come to life.
Milan has its own forms of street art, often unnoticed in the everyday urban movements. Public Design Festival want to highlight their presence thanks to the G. Canyon in a Crack, alias Anna Triboli and Francesco Vedovato, two Italian designers. Check their online catalogue to discover the street artworks of the Festival’s locations.
On Saturday 16th at 2 p.m. Walls of Milano (flickr.com/photos/wallsofmilano) will led you through the Isola neighborhood for a guided tour. You’ll have also the possibility to meet some of street artists.
Meeting on Cavalcavia Bussa, near the signboard of the project
Even the most decaying urban settings can be the stage for creativity. Alexandre Farto aka Vhils docet.
Have you got any wheels?
Public Design Festival presents the performance Todo Sobre Ruedas, a temporary colonization of urban space on wheels. The project involves selection and transformation of old pieces of furniture in a number of movable objects and interactive devices.
The team Basurama are waiting for you at Cavalcavia Bussa on 12th April 2011.
Priority to sociable commuters. This is the idea developed by Yen Trinth, with graphic support of Steven Rhodes, which is currently taking place in Brisbane (Australia). The project seeks the contribution of new “conversation starters” and offers signs to download and post everywhere.
Friendliness is contagious. Pass it on.
