BostonAPP/Lab Notes from February 25, 2014

What are the opportunities for art in new development beyond the "statue in the lobby?" How can those opportunities be realized -- and how are they being realized? Are there economic models that, when applied, allow for a long-term relationship between art and creativity on the one hand and real estate development on the other. Can art be integrated into a development's long-term operation -- whether the development is affordable housing, mixed-income housing, or mixed-use?

 

The lead "explorers" in this workshop included Mark Matel, Rose Architecture Fellow and Project Manager for the Bartlett Yard affordable housing project; Sebastian Mariscal, principal with Sebastian Mariscal Studio and designer/developer of the new mixed- income/mixed-use Parker & Terrace Development in Mission Hill; and artist Cedric Douglas, many of whose works appeared this summer at Bartlett Yard and who is a finalist for a permanent installation at Upham's Corner.

 

Sebastian Mariscal:

• Art leaking into the streets

• Decorative arena: typical hotel lobby, separation between human being and the art: how to change this?

• Art as a holistic phenomenon

• Physical integration:

  • Block building as barrier, with little space for art

  • Instead, create spaces for art – blank canvases

  • Invite city to come in

• Social integration

  • Various art forms, interacting with expressions of our time

• Mission Hill:

  • Share values

  • Community courtyards, plus private open green spaces

  • Courtyard as“ blank canvas”

• Think of building as continuation of the city

• Allow for unplanned activities

• “Art in an energized place”

   

Mark Matel:

• “Art as a community development tool”

• “Collect the data...build momentum...tell the story”

• Importance of public spaces!!

• Intelligent partnerships

• Set up infrastructure for innovation to happen

• How to link this to revenues for artists

• How to marry art to development/integrating in small increments to make scale

  • Incremental charges on top of usual charges:

  • Creating revenue streams through the building itself [Do you run out of locations???]

  • Developer gets foot traffic!!

  • Could it work for an office building?

     

Cedric Douglas:

• Connections between design world and graffiti

• [Development that includes a public art gallery]

• Artist’s role in community development