PEOPLE, PLACES, THINGS -- cement beyond Oct. 9th....

The post on Oct 9th, celebrating the art of cement,  was a discussion of material and it's materiality reflected in artistic practice.  Also posted were photos of the project and concrete, so feel free to re-visit that post.  This week, as we creep up to Halloween I'm debating "things" hmmm, to be a Concrete Hag or a Liquorice Bat Zombie?  It's a tough one.

The Concrete Hag will be the easiest as I  won't have to dress up at all.  I'm coming out, and admitting to myself and other's that yes it's true, looking a a nice slab of concrete is pretty sexy.  I love watching the forms being made, the pour, the reveal and result.  The process is layered and in most cases you never see that cement structure that holds up everything as it's sprayed, wrapped and buried.  So,  being a Concrete Hag is akin to appreciating the things that lie underneath, the bones so to speak;  not readily seen but essential to structure.  Perhaps there are more of us out there than we realize, perhaps living underneath other costumes, like the Liquorice Bat Zombie.

In celebration of the Concrete Hag let's look at more photos of those pretty bones of cement -- booooooo, to the day of All Hallow's!!      (scroll then roll)

COMMUNITY -- meeting at the library

It's kind of weird that in a neighbourhood where you can get up to 300 kids at your door on Halloween that there isn't a new community centre or swimming pool for us all to use.   Odd that in Strathcona, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city, we don't have these new services or spaces for the community.  Neither is there a Senior's centre, for our elders to have access to knitting clubs, outings, and simple things like hot lunches to share conversations over a meal.  It's kind of long overdue and that's the thought that came to mind when I sat in a meeting, held at the new library asking the community: what we needed in a new community centre?

Firstly, here's what I think community looks like.

Twelve photos, taken in the moment, that have focused my thoughts on community representing many important aspects of what it means to come together.  Community is about those feet on the ground,  not afraid of hard work to get quality and things in which one believes.  Also it's, those people, who see an idea turn into a project taking it through to the end.  The people who can handle unexpected surprises that bring them together to get a job done or celebrate the happy happen chance generosity of others as they arise.  There are also the thoughtful inspiring neighbours who plant a seed that grows into a new connection with someone you've never met before -- "if you don't try it won't ever happen", was the piece of advise heard that resulted in the drone post of last week. Oh, and the respect of the elder who comes along to see how it's all going that, off handedly, offer up  pearls of wisdom.  Community comes together when it's not about the self, but others and a bigger picture.

That meeting at the library created a process for thoughtful questioning?  How do we bring community to a Centre for all who live here now and for those who will be coming? Oh and they'll be coming, just look at the area planning going on in this town.  So, who would be the users of a brand spanking new Community Centre in Strathcona, hehehe one with a POOL!!  Wouldn't it be awesome to have a pool? Do we sense a bias on my part for a pool? 

Well come along let's visualize it!!  Hmmm,  a dog bone shaped pool (got that idea from someone special in our hood) of course, her idea was for dogs to use it.   The people  pool, dog bone shaped or otherwise,  is where one could dive into waters of creativity and diversity emerging with art all around you.  After the swim, in architectural structure that blows your mind,  you pass through halls of children laughing, seniors sharing stories, and a place that welcomes everyone.  This place serves exquisite lunches that you treat your friend to, or anyone else you chose to bring (subsidized for elders, 'cause they've done time and contributed greatly),  oh and the opportunities for mentoring are everywhere you look. The culture of this place is art, it's soul is creativity, it's heart beats with respect. This place smells so good it makes you want to come back everyday!  

Oh ya, I down for a new Community Centre!!  The kind of place that sings to a melody of compassion, inclusivity, and harmonious interaction with the land that has housed the people who came before us, are here, and are coming.  It's long overdue for this loved community -- let's even toss in a rooftop cinema and dog bone shaped pools in the parks where the sign says "all pets welcome"!

PROGRESS -- and now for something completely different

Progress, community, art or people, places and things all rolled into one.  This post is a watch and see, so enjoy.  (tap on the black rectangle and take flight over "D" vilage -- Big House and Octopus)  Much thanks Eesmyal!   TAKE FLIGHT little Octopus!!

ART -- Celebrating cement!

Intrigued with materials?  What things are made of,  is where I begin when looking at art.   If art tells a story it does so through many layers of what you see.  Visual arts, particularly contemporary art of today deals with materiality  in ways it was not entertained in the past.  What does this mean?  Well basically the material itself is the art.  The artist's intent and how he/she uses the material can be as simple or complex as needed to tell the story -- even if that story is "untitled".  

Take a google at what some famous artists are doing such as Ai Weiwei, Anish Kapoor, Damien Hirst,  Marina Abramovic,  Geoffrey Farmer to name a few.

Souvenir from Shanghai is a stunning example of material used to literally tell a concrete message.  Concrete coils and the concrete room has a different message using the same material.   The messages here pertain to our society.  What we permit to take place, or perhaps have evolved to accept -- imprisonment of ideas, waste of material, no place for creativity...   

During the building of "D" Village; Big house and Octopus it's been fascinating to watch materials come and go from the site.  What gets saved and sadly what doesn't.  When project 851 is finished I keep telling myself I should write a book about the experience as there's so much that is learnt everyday.  So far, the best recommendation I have is to win the lottery first. Then take on a humble project, have the time to do it correctly (no cheaping out on construction) and pay people well for good work (that's where the lotto part comes in).  ...not as simple as it sounds my friend.

This last week the foundation pour of the Octopus took place and my mind shifted to thoughts of concrete.  The material of strength, texture, transformation, a beauty of lines in grey...  It also had me asking some basic questions, like a child, "what is cement?", "what's the difference between regular and  architectural?" and so on.

My discoveries in cement helped me understand what we kind of know but don't really.  Taking my mind down the path, or perhaps better said paved the road with concrete, the story of cement unfolded.

Cement is a fine mineral powder manufactured with very precise processes. Mixed with water, this powder transforms into a paste that binds and hardens when submerged in water. Because the composition and fineness of the powder may vary, cement has different properties depending upon its makeup.

Cement is made by grinding together a mixture of limestone and clay, which is then heated at a temperature of 1,450°C. What results is a granular substance called "clinker," a combination of calcium, silicate, alumina and iron oxide.  So these aggregate to become a solid through chemical interaction.  There are several types of aggregates, which differ according to their chemical and physical composition, size and density.  Local geological conditions determine which types of aggregates are available in a given market.

Sounds like land being reduced to powder to be used again anywhere you want or need. hmmm, so ashes to ashes takes on a different meaning and becomes earth (land & minerals) to dust.  The dust (powder), then mixed with a body of water becomes a solid again, which only too often sits on or becomes part of the land (dirt) again.  All this comes about simply by looking at cement.