PROGRESS...

One step forward, two steps back, slide to the right and shimmy on the left...this is the dance of PROGRESS.  It's a dance that requires patience and perseverance, an ability to keep all appendages moving at the same time on occasion is most helpful, and it's the key to style -- hopefully resulting in a smooth tango and not special Seinfeld episode of Elaine's dance.

I've decided to include a little project visual--  steps to the project 851 dance.

Big House one step forward:

Octopus one step forward:

Two steps back =  (flash back to 1952)

Yup, channelling Gene Kelly can get you through refining those dance steps when working on a building project, especially all the multi-thinking;  is that's a word?    What I mean is that while work takes place on the ground (inside, outside, BH, Octopus...) other decisions come flying at ya. Not only do you have to decide but the timeline can be very short on when you need to make the call.   So, when it gets really crazy who better than Gene Kelly to turn to about dance steps and style.  The layers of decisions that need to be made result in the final dance style. Perhaps a dance mix of fixtures a go go, waltz of the trusses, millwork shake down, and infrastructure systems do-si-doe.

Smooth Tango or Elaine dance moves?  It all comes together through the choices and decisions: what to pick, what to pick? and how does one effect the other? oh and if you pick that then it effects that (ie. one sink = millwork and another doesn't...) should I change dance partners?...

My head is spinning.....

ART -- it's coming...

It's that time of year -- The Eastside Culture Crawl Society (ECCS) it ramping it up!

Twenty one years, this year, the hood has celebrated art through the ECCS  and Nov 4th the celebrations started with the launch of Take Flight; a fundraiser and preview exhibit at the Arts Factory.  What a great time!! 

This was the first year of TAKE FLIGHT, which is kind of the equivalent to an opening night.  The programming of the ECCS has expanded under the direction of an amazing Executive Director, Esther Rausenberg, who just happens to be a local to our community for over 35 years.  Esther has taken exhibition programming to a place of 4 venues this year through an exhibition called LIT. 

Mark your calendar for Nov 8th 6-8 pm to view more art of the exhibit and the CRAWL event takes place Nov 16- 19th.  To prep for the CRAWL you can go online to view, plan, strategically experience art at it's best; the studio's where it's created.  Going online is a quick way to view everything, however, I really process the information when I have one of those great programs in hand.  There's nothing like the tactile feel of flipping through pages and making notes as I go along.  The graphic design just seems to get better every year.

Oh but wait, there's more! -- Film night on November 24th.   Once you've processed all the creative juice that will flow through your veins post-crawling,  you can catch the closing program (page 7 of the program).  Last year Geoffrey Farmer spoke to his work on Film Night and this year  Carole Itter and David Rimmer will be featured. .  Itter will speak to her work and 4 of her films will be shown, also experimental film maker Rimmer's piece, "Where Streets Are Paved with Gold" will be shown.   Popcorn and libations available!

Take flight crows, little birds and culture vultures.

PEOPLE, PLACES, THINGS -- cement beyond Oct. 9th....

The post on Oct 9th, celebrating the art of cement,  was a discussion of material and it's materiality reflected in artistic practice.  Also posted were photos of the project and concrete, so feel free to re-visit that post.  This week, as we creep up to Halloween I'm debating "things" hmmm, to be a Concrete Hag or a Liquorice Bat Zombie?  It's a tough one.

The Concrete Hag will be the easiest as I  won't have to dress up at all.  I'm coming out, and admitting to myself and other's that yes it's true, looking a a nice slab of concrete is pretty sexy.  I love watching the forms being made, the pour, the reveal and result.  The process is layered and in most cases you never see that cement structure that holds up everything as it's sprayed, wrapped and buried.  So,  being a Concrete Hag is akin to appreciating the things that lie underneath, the bones so to speak;  not readily seen but essential to structure.  Perhaps there are more of us out there than we realize, perhaps living underneath other costumes, like the Liquorice Bat Zombie.

In celebration of the Concrete Hag let's look at more photos of those pretty bones of cement -- booooooo, to the day of All Hallow's!!      (scroll then roll)

COMMUNITY -- meeting at the library

It's kind of weird that in a neighbourhood where you can get up to 300 kids at your door on Halloween that there isn't a new community centre or swimming pool for us all to use.   Odd that in Strathcona, one of the oldest neighbourhoods in the city, we don't have these new services or spaces for the community.  Neither is there a Senior's centre, for our elders to have access to knitting clubs, outings, and simple things like hot lunches to share conversations over a meal.  It's kind of long overdue and that's the thought that came to mind when I sat in a meeting, held at the new library asking the community: what we needed in a new community centre?

Firstly, here's what I think community looks like.

Twelve photos, taken in the moment, that have focused my thoughts on community representing many important aspects of what it means to come together.  Community is about those feet on the ground,  not afraid of hard work to get quality and things in which one believes.  Also it's, those people, who see an idea turn into a project taking it through to the end.  The people who can handle unexpected surprises that bring them together to get a job done or celebrate the happy happen chance generosity of others as they arise.  There are also the thoughtful inspiring neighbours who plant a seed that grows into a new connection with someone you've never met before -- "if you don't try it won't ever happen", was the piece of advise heard that resulted in the drone post of last week. Oh, and the respect of the elder who comes along to see how it's all going that, off handedly, offer up  pearls of wisdom.  Community comes together when it's not about the self, but others and a bigger picture.

That meeting at the library created a process for thoughtful questioning?  How do we bring community to a Centre for all who live here now and for those who will be coming? Oh and they'll be coming, just look at the area planning going on in this town.  So, who would be the users of a brand spanking new Community Centre in Strathcona, hehehe one with a POOL!!  Wouldn't it be awesome to have a pool? Do we sense a bias on my part for a pool? 

Well come along let's visualize it!!  Hmmm,  a dog bone shaped pool (got that idea from someone special in our hood) of course, her idea was for dogs to use it.   The people  pool, dog bone shaped or otherwise,  is where one could dive into waters of creativity and diversity emerging with art all around you.  After the swim, in architectural structure that blows your mind,  you pass through halls of children laughing, seniors sharing stories, and a place that welcomes everyone.  This place serves exquisite lunches that you treat your friend to, or anyone else you chose to bring (subsidized for elders, 'cause they've done time and contributed greatly),  oh and the opportunities for mentoring are everywhere you look. The culture of this place is art, it's soul is creativity, it's heart beats with respect. This place smells so good it makes you want to come back everyday!  

Oh ya, I down for a new Community Centre!!  The kind of place that sings to a melody of compassion, inclusivity, and harmonious interaction with the land that has housed the people who came before us, are here, and are coming.  It's long overdue for this loved community -- let's even toss in a rooftop cinema and dog bone shaped pools in the parks where the sign says "all pets welcome"!