IN:SITE 2009 Park East project & call for artists

IN:SITE, fostering temporary public art in Milwaukee since the spring of 2006, is asking for public and artist input for a plan it is developing for the Park East Corridor.

In February the City of Milwaukee Arts Board, chaired by Alderman Michael Murphy, voted to fund IN:SITE creating a plan for temporary installations in the Park East Corridor in 2009. If the plan is approved in May, installations might begin as early as June, with a focal point of activity occurring August 24-30.

IN:SITE’s goal for the project is to invite pedestrians, bikers, people who ride the bus, and drivers to explore the Park East Corridor.

Seven local artists, who would also do installations for the project, formed a question to bring to other artists and the public. Mike Brenner, Ted Brusubardis, Armando Gallegos, Gary John Gresl, Sarah Luther, Mary Osmundsen, and Annushka Peck ask, “What is the value of this land?” These artists anticipate using mapping, plantings, signage, sound, video, and other mediums to respond to this question.

On Thursday, April 16th, from 7-9 p.m., in the first floor meeting room of Convent Hill, 455 E. Ogden Avenue, IN:SITE and the artists invite the public to answer this question too. IN:SITE encourages people to come with stories about the Park East Corridor. Do you remember it in the fifties, before the freeway spur was built? Did you take pictures when the freeway was demolished in 2002? People can react to ideas the artists are pondering.

In addition, IN:SITE asks Milwaukee area artists to respond to a call for applications. The call is now available on its website at insitemilwaukee.org/opportunities.htm IN:SITE encourages artists to attend the public meeting as well to learn more about the plan. The deadline for applications is May 6th.

For those not familiar with the Park East Corridor, here is a Department of City Development website with maps and documents that explain what the city has planned for this area: mkedcd.orgparkeast/index.html

Milwaukee is discussed in urban planning classes across the country for its progressive decision to take down part of an expressway. IN:SITE welcomes Milwaukee to participate in its progressive model to discuss an art project in the making. Amy Mangrich, co-founder of IN:SITE, says, “IN:SITE’s Park East Corridor Project will provide a platform for artists to collaborate with one another and with the community. The resulting project will communicate the importance of this section of land to Milwaukee’s past and future.”

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