Pulse

The most memorable moments of the Airwaves project were filled with smiles and laughter. The participants were so engaged. Before the project began, I questioned how many people would be willing to climb or descend the stairway to participate in both works. The idea of a blank canvas, familiar utensils, and treats excited everyone. Airwaves was a participatory activity. All types of people had an opportunity to leave their mark on the paper. There were security guards, students, professors, employees, prospective students and parents of prospective students. As I reflect on the event I am also reminded of the impact Airwaves had on the mood of the participants. The participants appeared happy,energized, and lively. I remember one guy saying that Airwaves was exactly what he needed for the day. This project could expand and bloom into all sorts of directions. I can imagine a blank canvas hanging along the wall in primary and secondary schools as well as doctor offices or hospitals. The music combined with universal utensils such as crayons, markers, and colored pencils gave people an opportunity to become a kid again. Artists did not have to carry the burden of creating a impressive piece of artwork and non-artists were not pressured or intimidated by the imagery on the paper. I could not imagine asking a non-artist to add a mark to a image that resembled a realist drawing. The non-artist would immediately have feelings of defeat.

I can imagine this project blossoming with the use of other mediums or art disciplines such as photography, photojournalism, graphic design, and ceramics. If a person is giving a 1/2 pound of clay and is asked to react to the dissonant sound in their ears will they immediately smash the clay flat? ( now that is an assumption) And if that same person is given a harmonious sound to react to will they carefully handle the clay, calmly shaping and sculpting the surface? This all becomes extra interesting when I think about Nikki's Lego project. What if the Legos were substituted for clay, a camera, or a block of wood? Will potential participants view the clay as messy? So after considering all of my questions, I think the Airwaves project was a success because of accessibility to the location, familiar utensils, and a space to free oneself of inner inhibitions through the use of music and visual art.