“Tikto”
I met George Del Barrio and his wonderful creative ensemble at Art From the Heart in 2012.
AFTH2012 — photograph by Sarah Grile
As I got to know the mission and all of the inspiring projects that The Vanderbilt Republic produces, I was captivated. It is an agency that opens up its arms to the art of life, and I knew I wanted to be part of that.
I moved to New York in late February 2013 and had the pleasure of being invited to collaborate with Anthony Illiano for the Far Rockaway Redevelopment Fund’s second action.
“Huella”
After seven years in Italy doing my BFA in Visual Arts and MFA in Curation, this proved to be my first opportunity to demonstrate my beliefs in political art as it impacts the community. Accustomed to conceptual art, my work usually derives from my memories and relational experiences. Through my work I propose different perspectives and focus on the enhancement of life. Therefore I was very excited to be part of a project that involved a new culture, new languages and such an amazing team of artists.
Being commissioned to do a work in dialogue with an area that I had no personal connection to proved to be a challenging expedition. The process itself turned into a journey, and as it advanced, so did my appreciation for the Rockaways. I didn’t want my piece to be a raw reminder for the community; I wanted to make a positive impact. I wanted to create a foundation for restoration, a simple but essential step towards helping invigorate the people who live in or love the neighborhood. From the beginning through the end of June I did research, ventured out to the location, got to know the community, and spend time figuring out what tool I could contribute that would empower the community instead of simply embellishing the landscape.
Through that creative process I came across an excerpt from Martin Heidegger’s Building, Thinking and Dwelling. A very insightful essay, it comments on how we think of space and how as human beings, we are dwellers of an earth that we should take care of and improve. As dwellers we construct relationships within delimited space. It was his emphasis on the importance of utilizing an area that made me revise my meaning of public space. It is the crux of interaction between inhabitants.
Photograph by George Del Barrio
Tikto, which means “to let something appear with what is present” in Greek, was born with that intention. A public art piece that exists as a platform of expression for whoever wants to explore it. A space free of identity, in service to all possible needs.
Photograph by Vanessa Gonzalez-Bunster
I am very satisfied with the piece; not only is it functional but it takes on a life of its own when used by visitors. It can become a beach bench, a picnic table, a cabana, a dance floor or even Rockapulco! It is a satisfaction to see people enjoying it and above all interacting with each other, building relationships rather than focusing on the construction of temporary edifices.
Photograph by William Ross
There is a hidden pleasure when I see people connect with the sculpture. It is as if a little voice says, “it’s yours”, but nobody knows, and that’s what makes it magical. It is mine because it belongs to everyone.
—Fernanda Uribe