(Momentary) Monuments for a Wednesday Afternoon was a lively event that invited passerby to share what they would like to celebrate or memorialize in the city for this one day, and then to join others in creating a monument to it!
Jordan Rosenblum and I created a ceramic studio on the Montgomery Plaza in downtown Portland to host the action. We assembled piles of clay, tools, banners, tables, and pedestals under a row of tents. Under the tents were artists ready to engage in conversation, help ideate, and even help folks make their sculptures. It was a busy day, with loads of people taking time to sit down and create their mini monuments out of clay. Once done, they labeled them and placed them on a pedestal to join the growing outdoor sculpture gallery.
The park remained in place for the public to see for the remainder of the day. When evening arrived the project Monuments for a Wednesday Afternoon disappeared, but hopefully leaving lasting memories of the important people, things and ideas we celebrated that Wednesday afternoon.
Acknowledgements:
This project was a collaboration with Jordan Rosenblum. It received support from PSU Creative Placemaking pilot program which is a partnership between College of Urban and Public Affairs (CUPA)and the Planning and Sustainability Office. We are gratetful for the funding from the President’s Fall Activation Fund, CUPA Dean’s Office, and the PBOT Healthy Business Program. Thanks also to the Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design’s CORE Program and the many CORE students who helped make it happen. Photo credits Laura Glazer @prettycity, Karen O’Donnell.