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Hi, I'm India, I am 24 years old, originally from Virginia and moved to Chicago about two years ago. I am a self-taught artist, and I have been drawing since I was eight years old. When the materials are available, I also enjoy painting. My art comes from strong emotions and might step on a few toes but art is not always meant to make people feel comfortable.
Comment...
Above are two pictures of my favorite space at UIC, a tree that has a very low branch that is perfect for sitting in. It doesn't matter if the sun is shining brightly outside while warming the back of my clothes, or if the sky is overcast with clouds and the smell of imminent rainfall hangs in the air. When I need some time alone, this is where I go. Even though this tree is next to a very high foot traffic area, for some reason, when I sit in this tree I feel as though I am the only person present and I can finally relax, at least until my next class.
Here is a picture of someone using a space other than its intended use. This space is often crowded, so gaining some elevation above the crowd provides a sense of security and isolation. Here one might smell food cooking because his area is next to Student Center East, so naturally one might like this area because of easy access to food. This space promotes socialization and rest with liberal placement of benches and vegetation. At the same time this space promotes movement from one area to the next because this length of sidewalk puts you in front of the Student Center East, a library, and numerous lecture halls. One might even draw the conclusion that this is a hybrid space because it promotes rest and movement at the same time.
Claiming Space Response: I was impressed by how interactive the exhibit was. In general the space is very inviting and encourages open discussion. Also, the exhibit in general is open to a wide age range. While I listen, I can put together a puzzle, lending an lighter atmosphere while to a very serious topic (the shutting down of many schools on the south side of Chicago, with a majority of black and latino students).
India, I like how your description captures the interactive nature of the "Claiming Space" exhibit. What was the serious topic the exhibit was exploring?
Karyn
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