It's time! culling...
A review of ideas for the Edge based on Collabortory artists survey Over the past few months we have heard from members of the Edge community, from artists, from historians and developers, and from consultations with the Memfix Edge crew, about needs, wants, and visions for the Edge neighborhood. Questions swirling in my head: HOW can art impact this neighborhood? Which of these ideas will have the greatest or longest lasting impact? Which project sounds like the most fun? Which the most beautiful? How do we make the most of this collabortory experience to inform the project or idea? The properties and development plans are fluid, ever-changing variables and while they must be considered and re-considered constantly in terms of feasibility, for the purpose of this post I will assume that all things are possible. Future plans may change, so at this stage I’d like to look at a survey of ideas which includes even those that might seem unlikely due to changes in property ownership. A couple of weeks ago I took another walk through the neighborhood and sat with the spaces that have intrigued me. I missed the group’s walking tour so I had one of my own and took my time imagining and sketching up more possibilities. I will post here some of the sketches alongside the snaps of the locations and a recap of previous ideas.
I welcome feedback, we all do. collabortorytn@gmail.com 1. Stories from the Edge If you’ve been following this blog you probably already know that early on in the survey process I attempted to collect stories from the neighborhood. I set up a google voice phone line to collect stories, and I circulated the request via facebook, email, and printed flyers and posters. I received a total of 10 messages, which was quite a disappointment. I learned that this cannot be done with a flyer. It will take face to face interviews, research and track down current and previous business owners (including Wonder Bread Factory) to gather and record stories. After collecting the stories, an interactive website is created to share these stories in their raw and edited forms. There should be a launch event with temporary listening stations installed throughout the neighborhood, and printed cards at local businesses to engage continued visits and participation. The site should be maintained and updated monthly for at least a year. 2. An Artists Stake This proposal is among my favorites, though it seems to elicit extreme responses from others, very FOR or very AGAINST. One of the great challenges of the neighborhood are the vacant buildings. These properties might be held by investors waiting to fetch higher prices than the current market supports, or they might be waiting for the property values to increase beyond their current standing once the imminent development by UT takes place, or ?? But the fact remains that there are several properties available and sitting vacant. Memfix presented a map of available properties in the Edge district which listed several possibilities for this idea. The concept is to use the grant for down payment and seed money to gift a property to an arts organization to use for studio and artspace. The assessments have been done to sufficiently support the Artspace development downtown, so we know there is a need and the artists exist who will fill the space. We have seen the impact that Marshall Arts and Art Farm had on the neighborhood, which also benefits from several resident artists such as Kristi Duckworth, Mark Nowell, Greely Myatt, Tad Pierson, Nappy Head Arts and others. I have a call out to Arts Memphis to match this concept with worthy existing organizations or groups that need space and could sustain it. They confirmed the need for space for artists and said they have the artists to fill the space. In terms of an existing group to coordinate/own/operate the art space, we are brainstorming. I am also open to forming a non-profit or LLC and finding the right group for this purpose. Properties of interest: 427 Madison ($179K), 685 Union, 620 Union.. This solution addresses ongoing impact and the need for reducing vacancy in the neighborhood. 3. Edge Art Park
There could not be a more perfect property for an art park in the Edge. Unfortunately I believe this location is now slated for development, but it has GREAT trees and already a path, PLUS it connects Union to the Edge so could easily redirect pedestrian traffic. LOVE this spot. for ART. Could work beautifully with artists space in adjoining Union facing building. (also for sale but slated for development from what I've heard)
4. Paved in Gold / Golden Intentions / the exquisite value of a broken pot Where Monroe peels off from Madison there is a bridge with a landscaped path and many broken bricks. I’ve sketched out a design for this bridge which includes using gold paint as an accent. This would also be a great place for a plaque to tell the story of the important rail lines this bridge formerly crossed. (Cat Peña) There are benches and bricks, plenty of places for info about golden hits from the neighborhood. We talked about including would-have-been hits as well. Look closely at the sketch for more about it.
5. Art cars / planters.
Posted in a previous blogpost. Easy to move as development plans change.
6. Vertical Green
It comes up repeatedly, vertical gardens, and is quickly followed by the conversation of irrigation and native species. I consulted local specialist Diane Meucci of Gardens Oy Vey, and she recommended to use Seedum Acre for this application. My suggestion would be to take every willing chain link fence into consideration for fields of gold cans holding plants, secured to the fencing from the street view, and mounted in clean patterns. Here are some locations and a sketch.
Art Farmers / Escape Alley did a lovely job cultivating greenspace behind the building.
7. Trolley Stop Mosaic
This idea has met with resistance because it proposes to "pave" a bit of the limited green ground in one of the only greenspaces in the Edge, which I can totally understand is offensive. Here is my defense. People are not using this greenspace, they are not walking here and enjoying the trees and taking it all in, or sitting for lunch. A mosaic here, designed after a vinyl record, constructed from aggregate, tile, etc. containing historical bits from the neighborhood and the relative music industry. There are also poles available for a possible shade sail, and space enough to add benches. This is also a good location for an art car planter picnic area, but let's stay focused! Here is a sketch of the idea and a couple of pictures of the location.
There are 2 more to add here: Proposed re-use of an existing lighted sign leading from Union to Madison, and Bike Art installation at the Memphis Cycle building. Hope to add those soon, but this will do for now. Enjoy! And let us know what you think.