I choose chalk as an interactive tool not only for its advantage as an artistic medium, but also for its ability to evoke the best elements of childhood and play from those who would otherwise pass by in their own isolated world. There's something very satisfying in helping people abandon their daily routine for a moment, just for something as simple as drawing and playing on a sidewalk.
I am particularly drawn to the post-modern in my own creations, and enjoy eliciting reactions from passersby with written non-sequiturs and other senseless, absurd creations.
One of my main goals in chalking is not only to invite passersby to interact with my creations, but also to offer them the chance to take a moment from their hectic day and perhaps pick up a piece of chalk to add their own inspired piece. And with a little persuasion, you might be surprised at how many people join in and walk away with a satisfied smile.
In early 2008 I gathered a group of like-minded individuals to help me in my mission to bring a bit more color to the otherwise drab sidewalks of Boston. Informally dubbed the Beantown Chalk Monsters, we would descend upon the pavement of public areas and invite others to do the same. In a sense, it made for a terrific socialogical experiment, drawing passersby out of their normal activities and into the world of creativity.
As 2008 drew to a close, I teamed up with the Boston Societies of Spontaneity to form a more structured group of artistic creation. Dubbing the group Urban Canvas, I helped extend the principles of the Chalk Monsters to a larger scale in order to foster a more organized iteration of chalky goodness.
It was here that I started to step back and take a more facilitatory role; much less drawing and more trying to help bring out the inner child from any passerby who was willing.
With the support of BostonSOS, we continue our exploits to this day and will continue to do so; having a team of like-minded members allows for a wonderful source of ideas, and we've only just begun to tap our own creative resources in a mission to bring joy to our fellow Bostonians.
-More at the Urban Canvas website.
at the end of 2008, I had the tremendous opportunity -- which continues to this day -- to work with Art Street, a local non-profit institution headed by the infamous Sidewalk Sam. His philosophy toward public art matches so closely to mine that it's a wonder we hadn't crossed paths sooner.
Through public chalkings and paintings, our aim is to increase public accessibility to the arts: allowing participation, encouraging creativity, and hopefully brightening people's days with colorful pieces.
