Public Artwork
Municipal Mind
Artwork creator(s):
Dextras, Nicole
Text author(s):
Dextras, Nicole
Installation year:
2008
Remarks on location:
NEGOTIATED SPACE: Trinity Bellwood Park
STEWARDSHIP: Trinity Bellwood neighbourhood, service shack for park maintenance, against a mural indicating the various parks in the area
GLOBAL PILGRIM: In front of the gates to Trinity Bellwood park.
RANDOMLY EVOLVING: Queen Street Funkorama; Igor's Bike Shop
GLOBALIZATION: In the alley on Shaw Street
ETHIC OF SUFFICIENCY: Brick oven in Dufferin Park
DISAPPEARING COASTLINE OF HUMAN INTIMACY: Behind 48 Abell Street
Text of the artwork:
NEGOTIATED SPACE
STEWARDSHIP
GLOBAL PILGRIM
RANDOMLY EVOLVING
GLOBALIZATION
ETHIC OF SUFFICIENCY
DISAPPEARING COASTLINE OF HUMAN INTIMACY
Text theme:
Developing the concept of sufficiency to counterbalance the predominant ethic of excess
Artwork theme:
Urban creative spirit; negotiation of urban space; community
Note(s):
This winter I was in Toronto working on a project based on the book The Municipal Mind, by the city's poet laureate, Pier Giorgio Di Cicco. His eloquent writing, about how the vibrancy of a city depends on the creative spirit of the individuals who occupy it, has inspired me to create random, ephemeral installations on its streets and in its parks. I am interested in how we negotiate space in an urban environment, how we create community out of the chaos.
My words are made out of ice - a medium that exemplifies the transient nature of all things. In the city, the poetic melting of the ice word is often interrupted by the aggressive acts of the inhabitants, so it is more crucial for me to document the work once it is up.
Nicole Dextras (2008), Municipal Mind
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ndextras/sets/72157603788724382/
Artist's biography:
Nicole Dextras 
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