The basis for this blog is my upcoming public art project, entitled Make Me One With Everything. This project will be a sound installation and live performance, with and/or about street vendors in NYC, which will take place on Wall Street in September 2007.
I've decided to initiate this blog as a means to: share my experiences while getting to know NYC street vendors; create a progressive ritual for myself; and overcome my fear of the creative process. My reason for posting these writings, rather than keeping them tucked away in my own paper journal, is to make myself accountable for them - to force myself to keep writing. But I also think that what I'm encountering while getting to know these vendors could be interesting for other people to read, as well.
So, drop by if you're inclined and let me know what you think. Share with me any stories you might have about street vendors or economics or immigration or public art. I would love to hear them.
Here's a little background about the project:
I like street vendors. I like their work ethics and their innovations and their public presence. I think their stories are significant, and can help us evaluate the American economy, U.S. immigration policy, NYC politics, and the effectiveness of the 'American Dream', as well as smaller scale issues, such as, day-to-day neighborhood negotiations in areas like the Financial District, SoHo, Harlem, and Battery Park City. Importantly, I think they're incredibly charismatic people with great stories to tell.
I also value commerce on a human scale. Buying is always necessary (much to my dismay - barter system, anyone?) and buying from people I can talk to makes the process somehow more bearable and more relevant for me. I might still be buying Sabrett's hot dogs, but I can have an interesting conversation while I do it.
Finally, I have a background in theatre. I like music and I play music. I am influenced by innovative artists, such as Laurie Anderson, Ann Hamilton, Mierle Ukeles and Marty Pottenger, who have shown me new ways to think about performance. I am also interested in community-based art, public art and the stories of working people.
So, at the moment I'm trying to combine many interests into a single project, which I share with the public on the streets of Lower Manhattan. It's a thrilling, informative, and a little bit scary process. It's an honor to get to know these vendors, and I want to share some of what I'm learning about them through this writing.
Thank you for reading. I'll keep writing. I would greatly appreciate your feedback.
And I leave you with a joke:
What did the Buddhist say to the hot dog vendor?
"Make Me One With Everything"
Have a good day.
3 comments:
Glad to see this blog up and running. And I'm looking forward to reading more about the vendors, and what making this project is like for you.
Steph, sounds interesting and good. You ever read "Working" by Studs Terkel? I especially enjoy art that tries to bridge communication between diverse groups of people. Too often people just walk by the working poor of NYC and treat them as if they are personless vending machines. I'm glad to see another project that recognizes everyone's humanity.
-Croner
happy to see you set up this blog. it should be a real motivator in your street vendor project.
one story i remember. a few years ago when visiting with you i insisted on getting a hot dog from a street vendor as part of my initiation in nyc. while in line i saw the vendor give a hot dog to what appeared to be a homeless street person. he handed the man a hot dog and then said 'now go'. he did not charge for that hot dog which showed a lot of compassion since the man obviously had no money for food. he apparantly did not want to look as if he was willing to just give away food but he also knew this man was in need. vendors cannot make a lot of money in their business so to give away food to help someone out made it even more impressive to me.
mary hobbs
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