Open Field Info Session This Thursday!

Posted May 7, 2012 at 2:45 pm — Filed under:

This Thursday, May 10th programmers Sarah Schultz, Scott Stulen and Lindsay Kaplan host a casual informational session at the Walker for anyone interested in programming an activity on Open Field this summer. Whether you have already submitted a proposal or are just curious about the project, come down to the Walker to take part.

The evening’s agenda includes discussing tips for creating and marketing a successful program on the field and sharing important guidelines for planning your activity. The session will take place in the Art Lab at 6pm followed by refreshments in the Open Field grove (weather permitting). This session is free and open to the public, so come on out and see how you can play a role in our summer adventure!

Check out the Open Field website for more information.

Hope to see you Thursday!

Abigail Anderson

Phenology Report: Know Your Grackle Vernacular

Posted April 20, 2012 at 5:00 pm — Filed under:

Common Grackles, still from YouTube video by NovaScotiaNature

There’s such a flurry of spring phenomena that it can be tricky picking a focus. But bird behavior is as good a place to start as anywhere. Morning visitors to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden will witness the heavy air traffic of Common Grackles frequenting the muddy low waters near Spoonbridge and Cherry. Watch the video below and tell me that soggy clump of plant matter doesn’t look perfect for building a nest!

The grande allée’s arbor vitae and linden trees are abuzz with grackles calling and strutting. And if you’re lucky, you might witness a pair of Common Grackles performing a courtship dance!

In conjunction with Open Field, I’ll be posting a series of reports that examine Open Field and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden through the lens of phenology. The lens of what now? Phenology refers to recurring life cycle stages, such as leafing and flowering, emergence of insects, and migration of birds. As an amateur naturalist and the Open Field Phenologist-in-Residence, it’s my privilege to observe, document, and share the sequence of natural events as it unfolds on the Walker campus.

If you’re interested in more local phenological phenomena, visit openphenology.blogspot.com. Or to learn more about the science of phenology, check out the National Phenology Network and the Minnesota Phenology Network.

Abigail Anderson

Phenology Report: It’s All about Appearances

Posted April 9, 2012 at 9:06 am — Filed under:

Many of us are especially aware of the natural world come spring, when new things show up every day. It’s apt, then, that the word “phenology” comes from the Greek word phaino, meaning to show or appear. Last week, my friend Rachel and I noticed little pink and yellow cones adorning the boughs of the pine trees. I reached out and was taken by surprise by the appearance of pollen!

Lindsay Kaplan

Look Out Summer! Open Field Is Online

Posted April 3, 2012 at 12:37 pm — Filed under:

In anticipation of Open Field’s June 2^nd grand opening, April begins with the launch of the Open Field 2012 website, a resource created with your summer in mind. See what’s happening on the field, view an archive of past projects and propose your own activity, if you so choose.

Events to look forward to this summer include The Big String Thing; an over-sized exercise in string formations, a personal Post Office as envisioned by a local printmaker and much more. With an eclectic mix of Acoustic Campfire acts and Drawing Club hosts on Target Free Thursday Nights, your Thursdays will never be left wanting.

New on the field this year are Analog Tweets, Open Field’s Little Free Library, our very own Phenologist in Residence, and custom made Tool Kits available at the Tool Shed. Also keep an eye out for our two Artist Residencies; ROLU and Kitchen Lab.

Abigail Anderson

Phenology Report: Hibernation is so over!

Posted at 8:36 am — Filed under:

In conjunction with Open Field, I’ll be posting a series of reports that examine Open Field and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden through the lens of phenology. The lens of what now? Phenology refers to recurring life cycle stages, such as leafing and flowering, emergence of insects, and migration of birds. As the Open Field Phenologist-in-Residence, it’s my privilege to observe, document, and share the sequence of natural events as it unfolds on the Walker campus.

Photo: Mnmazur, Wikimedia Commons

Hibernation is so over! For ground squirrels and people alike, we’re ready to emerge from our winter digs and stand up in the sun! On March 15, I saw my first 13-lined ground squirrel of the season. Unlike the ubiquitous gray squirrel, these smaller rodents hibernate during winter months. And now they appear to be emerging from their dens and burrows.

An attentive visitor to the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden will recognize these animals, which are frequently seen standing upright and surveying their surroundings or scampering for shelter under the arbor vitae hedges. And since these animals eat insects, you could interpret their appearance as a cue to get close to the ground and look for six-legged crawlies.

If you’re interested in more local phenological phenomena, visit openphenology.blogspot.com. Or to learn more about the science of phenology, check out the National Phenology Network at usanpn.org.

Susie Bielak

An Introduction to Agonism: Volume I

Posted March 28, 2012 at 11:05 am — Filed under:

In August heat over lemonade on the Open Field, our department began talking with Steve Dietz of Northern Spark.mn about what it takes to create a place for the public.

Over the last two summers, the grassy expanse between Vineland Place and Groveland Terrace has evolved into a park celebrating the creative assets and collective knowledge that abound in the Twin Cities. The evolution of Open Field relates to ongoing questions stemming from our work and the world around us (e.g., heightened political poles, the Occupy Movement, Arab Spring):

How do we foster public(s)?

What is needed to create a space for members of the public to engage?

What is the role of a cultural center in relationship to a city?

What is needed for a cultural commons?

How do we foster a space for difference of opinion, for critical dialogue and debate?

Since the summer, we’ve been in conversation to define and unpack the idea of agonism—the frictive rub in between antagonism and consensus. The question of how agonism functions—how it’s structured, invited, and propelled—is the subject of Discourse and Discord: Architecture of Agonism from the Kitchen Table to the City Street, an upcoming public symposium from April 12 – 14 copresented by the Walker and Norther Lights.mn.

Set your calendar, and stay tuned online for an unfolding introduction to agonism.

Lindsay Kaplan

Autumn Play: Last Chance to Build Forts on the Field

Posted September 28, 2011 at 11:31 am — Filed under:

Need a new way to play on Open Field while the grass is still green? Local artist Peter Haakon Thompson, creator of Tent Services, designed fort kits that let Open Field guests create their own shade structures. Using PVC pipe, canvas and connectors a simple tent can be replicated with the provided instructions or the materials can be used to build a more free-form structure. Check out this video to see how simple they are to construct and be inspired to create your own.

Colin Kloecker

Field Office Fellowship: Interview with Mike Haeg

Posted September 14, 2011 at 2:46 pm — Filed under:

This Friday we’ll hold the 4th of 8 public conversations with this summer’s Field Office Fellows. We’re introducing each fellow with a short interview before their discussion. Here, Mike Haeg answers some questions about his micro-experiment, the W.A.L.K.E.R. Pole.

Mike Haeg's Arrow Exchange on the Open Field. Photo by Zoe Prinds-Flash.

You’re the Mayor of Mt. Holly, Minnesota. Tell us a little bit about your hometown, and what happens there?

Well, we are a small town of 4 surrounded by Shakopee, the city of origin for both the First Lady and myself. Our primary export is the idea that one can make more fun than one can buy. We celebrate civic events, hold an international film festival, and try our darndest to enrich the lives of our friends and neighbors through art.

What made you decide to install a M*A*S*H* pole in Mt.Holly?

Despite all of the digital methods for being connecting with people. I was getting more lonely. I wanted a way to connect with other people over long distances in a more tactile than digital manner.

Can you tell us about one of your favorite arrows that someone has added to the pole?

Michelle Azar heard about the M*A*S*H pole project and asked her daughter Lizzie to pick a destination for their arrow. Lizzie wanted to point the arrow “Wherever gummi bears are made.” They did a little research and created an arrow covered in gummi bears pointing to the Haribo factory in Bonn Germany. The team delivered the arrow personally. As we made the exchange, Lizzie apologized for biting the heads off a few of the bears on her way to Mt. Holly.

The M*A*S*H* Pole is an open platform, meaning that it’s something anyone can make and use at home. Why is that important to your work?

I earnestly believe that with a minimal amount of effort, through handmade projects, people can make their lives, and the lives of their friends, families and neighbors way more rewarding and fulfilling. The M*A*S*H* Pole is a perfect example.

With little more than a shovel, a 4″x4″, and some scrap wood and paint, a neighborhood can add a little personality to their generic playground or park. A mother can be connected with her spread-around-the-world kids and grandkids. A prison yard could hold a direct reminder to each inmates outside home and life. Or, like the original M*A*S*H* Pole, our overseas military could be connected more substantially to the people and places they are serving for.

Do you know if anybody else has actually put up a pole yet?

Not yet. If someone does, I hope they shoot me a line, I’d love to trade arrows with them.

What do you hope to accomplish through the Field Office Fellowship?

I hope to accomplish a couple of things. First, I’m really curious about how people think about their place in the physical world in the light of our spending so much time in the digital one. Secondly, I’m really curious about what will happen when strangers exchange something of personal substance (a piece of art and an idea, in the form of an arrow.) What will the residual effects be?

Is there another Field Office project you’re especially excited about?

The reading room is really intriguing to me. Alone together or together alone? (Maybe I just want a place to escape my whiney constituents.)

Where can we find out more information about the W*A*L*K*E*R* Pole and your other projects?

Thank you Mike!

You’re invited to join Works Progress and Walker ECP staff for an open conversation with Mike Haeg on Friday, September 16th from 6 to 7PM at the FlakPak House in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. There will be refreshments!

Scott Artley

Citizen Journalists from Living Classroom – Amanda Spencer

Posted September 3, 2011 at 11:05 am — Filed under:

Citizen Journalist Amanda Spencer

Amanda Spencer is a student photographer studying at Inver Hills Community College working on an Associate of Fine Arts. She plans to transfer to the U of M–Twin Cities in the fall of 2012 to receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts with emphasis on photography. Her current project is titled East Phillips and is a collection of photographs and interviews from the inner city neighborhood. You can check out the project at her website and sign up to receive updates about the upcoming book and exhibition at the Phillips Garden.

* * *

All photos by Amanda Spencer.

What I got from Open Field was a community. A community that shares the passions I have. A community that makes me feel like there may be a place for me —where people appreciate me & what I do, as much as I appreciate them & what they do. A community that inspires me.

There were people from everywhere. Black, White, Red, & Yellow. People that felt comfortable to be in their skin & show it.
And that made me want to act as me even more.

The question — What sustains your community?
Well, it’s this. It is dance. It is story telling. It is what one person may be passionate about.

…& it is when that passion is spread to everyone.

* * *
The Walker Art Center’s Education & Community Programs department asked a handful of talented writers and artistic interpreters from distinct perspectives to serve as Citizen Journalists and correspondents for the Living Classroom, with a focus on generating community-centric documentation of the event. We sought individuals from distinct perspectives — people interested and grounded in communities facing the issues at hand. Sonja Kuftinec, Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of Minnesota, and an organizer for the Imagining America conference happening in Minneapolis September 22-24, provided recommendations, with final selection by Associate Director of Public & Interpretive Programs Susy Bielak and Open Field Coordinator Scott Artley.

Scott Artley

TAKE 5: Five quick questions for Robyn Hendrix (WARM’s Feminist Art Chat)

Posted August 30, 2011 at 11:10 am — Filed under:

TAKE 5: Five Questions for activity organizers on Open Field this summer

Name: Robyn Hendrix

Occupation: I wear a lot of hats. I am a visual artist, and for this project, my most relevant position is my unpaid, enthusiasm-fueled role as an Exhibitions Committee Co-Chair and Social Media Contributor for the Women’s Art Registry of Minnesota.

About WARM: The Women’s Art Registry of MN commits itself to building a strong presence and a prosperous future with and for women artists. WARM’s mission is to build networks and programming that create mentoring, educational, exhibition and professional development opportunities that reflect the diverse voices, visions and values of Minnesota women visual artists. Visit http://www.thewarm.org for more info.

City/Neighborhood: I live in South Minneapolis. WARM has members throughout the state and even in Wisconsin, Iowa, and other neighboring locales.

Open Field Activity: Feminist Art Discussions hosted by the Women’s Art Registry of Minnesota

Description: This summer the Women’s Art Registry of MN is hosting a fun, informal discussion group on women’s art and the feminist art movement. Join us as we share knowledge, perspectives and ideas about roots and the future of the feminist art movement in Minnesota and nationally/worldwide.

“I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat.” -Rebecca West

Date of Activity: Wednesday, August 31st 7:30-9pm in the Sky Pesher

We have two short suggested readings for this meeting:

Are you a feminist?
http://citizenkerry.tumblr.com/post/5577706351/are-you-a-feminist

“Feminism, A Love Story” (the first one refers to this one)
http://ilyagerner.tumblr.com/post/2688742334/feminism-a-love-story

And there are more details as well as links to a couple of the previous readings on our Facebook event page: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=200835239980193

1) What’s your favorite public space, in the Twin Cities or beyond?

The Stone Arch Bridge area is one of my favorite places to wander around.

2) How did you find out about Open Field and why did you decide to host your own activity on Open Field?

I knew about Open Field when it began last year because I keep up with events at the Walker. I’m a bit of a Twin Cities art events junkie anyway. This spring I started thinking about what WARM could do on Open Field that would be a fun, low key way to reach out a bit more to the broader art community with an activity related to what the organization is all about. At WARM’s strategic planning retreat in April there seemed to be a lot of interest and energy in asking ourselves what feminism means now to our organization and to the art scene at large. As an organization founded by women, for women artists, it is important to continue reevaluating what we can do to stay relevant. So one day those two ideas just merged while I was driving home from work and I realized WARM should have a feminist art discussion group on Open Field. So I made it happen, with the help of Bethany Whitehead, our Board President, and Jeanne Souldern, another rockstar board member.

Some of our WARM members lived through or grew up during the feminist art movements of the 70’s. In its early years the Women’s Art Registry of Minnesota clearly had an integral and vibrant role in that movement here in Minnesota, as the organization grew out of a collection of women artists inspired by hearing Judy Chicago speak at St. Kate’s. Other WARM members, such as myself, have grown up in a generation in which feminism is often either taken for granted or polarized. I realized that as a young artist I would love to learn more from those who took part in the movements of the 70’s first hand, hear what the energy was like at that time, and find out whether those artists are disappointed, hopeful, disillusioned, or frustrated by the state of things today.

My hope with these discussion events is to create an easy going atmosphere in which artists from different generations, cultures, and perspectives can share their ideas and knowledge about the women’s art movement and talk about what does feminism mean to us, and what the heck do we WANT it to mean? Our first two discussions were lovely, enlightening and empowering to take part in, so I’m excited to facilitate one more on Wednesday and then evaluate how this practice could be continued in future WARM programming beyond Open Field.

3) If you could learn any skill on Open Field, what would it be?

Well, this summer I personally have been working on finally learning how to ride a bike, because my 9 year old self was a chicken and never got off the training wheels. However, I’m not entirely sure Open Field would be the best place to practice, haha! Too hilly, and too many wonderful interesting people who I wouldn’t want to smash into. So if not biking then…maybe screenprinting! Or papermaking.

4) What is the ideal audience for your Open Field activity?

Anyone is welcome to attend, WARM member or not, artist or non, male or female, young or not quite so young, etc. If you identify as a feminist, come tell us why. If you don’t, come tell us why not! Or tell us about a woman artist who has inspired you. We’d love to hear any and all perspectives. Bring your curiosity, your passion, your open mindedness and your art-making muscles! For this last event we’ll be making Picture-a-Feminist exquisite corpse drawings as a (hopefully hilarious) bonus activity.

5) If Open Field had a mascot, who/what would it be?

A giraffe wearing an I <3 Art apron who is simultaneously learning how to pickle, hot wire a car, drawing in Drawing Club with its tail, having a funky arty discussion with Scott Stulen (or maybe Scott Seekins! You never know…) and flying a kite above the field off of its horns.

Artists Alis Olsen, Brenna Busse and Jill Waterhouse chat at WARM's spring strategic planning retreat.