Mister Artsee |
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For he led us, he said, to a joyous land, Joining the town and just at hand, Where waters gushed and fruit-trees grew, And flowers put forth a fairer hue, And everything was strange and new. - The Pied Piper of Hamelin |
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2005 We’ve all experienced it. First, the jingle-faint, off in the distance, as if from a dream. Everything stops; time suddenly stands still. Could it be? No time to think, the race is on: home to plead your case to mom and then back again in lightning speed, money in hand, eyes bulging, mouth watering. To a child, there is nothing that quite matches the exhilaration brought by the Ice Cream Man. As adults, we are still charmed at the site of that truck, at the sound of that inimitable jingle. What if such exhilaration and charm could be generated by art? Recently, a group of artists asked themselves just such a question. The result is a project of youthful optimism and romantic vision, determined to broaden art’s appeal and extend its reach. Mister Artsee: a vintage ice cream truck, souped-up and converted into a bona fide art-mobile, traveling the city streets, enriching communities and opening hearts and minds. Both a work of art and space for art, this whimsical vehicle will feature a wide array of imaginative and innovative programs. Fully customizable, it will be designed for versatility and jam-packed with artistic points of interest. With childlike jubilation-and a catchy jingle of its own-Mister Artsee will bring contemporary art to neighborhoods, schools, playgrounds, parks and public spaces throughout New York City. Mister Artsee’s mission is both simple and vital: to bring art and art-education to people of all ages and locales. Mobile, adaptable and accessible, it can achieve what traditional institutions cannot. It can visit communities that have little exposure to contemporary art, hold classes in art appreciation, conduct outreach programs, and be a locus of creative activity. It can go where no gallery or museum can, offering user-friendly art experiences without the hassle, without the intimidation, elitism or cost of brick-and-mortar establishments. Mister Artsee brings art to you. A core principle of Mister Artsee is flexibility-both physical and conceptual. Temporary exhibitions will be mounted by practicing artists, who will be free to transform the vehicle according to their visions. The truck will host site-installations, live performances, puppet-shows, interviews, lectures, and panel discussions by notable figures from the art world. Meanwhile, information about current art happenings will be disseminated from its sides, through streaming video and printed materials. Mister Artsee can also be used as a support mechanism for such happenings, showcasing the work of a particular artist or group of artists in conjunction with openings, ongoing exhibitions and special events. Thus, while offering its own educational and artistic programs, Mister Artsee will also serve the greater arts community. Mister Artsee’s framework will be designed to accommodate this abundance of art activity. Like a Swiss-army knife, the vehicle will be equipped with numerous extensions-a platform stage, a movie screen, a podium-which can be folded out or opened up to facilitate its various functions. The back of the truck will even house a “gift shop,” whose proceeds will be used to maintain operational costs. Here, visitors can purchase souvenirs, artist-made objects, books and light refreshments. Mister Artsee will be a full-service, expandable, super-efficient, self-sufficient, multipurpose art-mobile. Mister Artsee aspires to introduce newcomers young and old to the joy of art, while rekindling that joy in even the most blasé of art veterans. Not just a gallery-on-wheels, Mister Artsee will be a sculpture-on-wheels, a school-on-wheels, a theater-on-wheels, a who-knows-what-on-wheels. Its possibilities are limited only by the imagination of its participants. Art can guide us through this jaded world. Like a latter-day pied piper, Mister Artsee will lead the way, opening perceptions, inspiring inquiry and unlocking creativity. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to live in a world where we run with glee after Mister Artsee, just as we did for Mister Softee? |
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