Now that we have had some rain the sidewalk is mostly clear of the chalk. Except where there were leafy brnches or a bench that interfered with the rain showeer, most of the chalk is gone. People have asked me what the reaction was to my project. I have recorded it all faithfully and share it here:
8:08AM July 22, 2013
Reaction #1 6:03AM Taxi driver: I see you are decorating my cab stand.
Me: Yes I am beautifying and edifying (he walks from one end to the other ) Taxi driver: That's good. I like what you say. ( A fare gets in his cab and he is gone) Reaction #2 6:45 AM Young Woman: Did you have to get a permit to do this ?
Me: Yes, I have my permit right here, if you 'd like to see. Young woman: I wasn't trying to cause trouble - just curious.
Me: No worries. I'm kinda bummed I needed a permit at all. (she checks her phone, then looks at writing from both sides of bus stop bench) Young woman: Are you a hippie or a radical?
Me: A radical. Definitely. Young woman: I thought so.
Me: Kinda cool that you know the difference. Young woman: There is 30% chance of thunderstorm this afternoon - what are you going to do?
Me: Nothing. Those are the breaks with chalk art! ( The #66 bus comes and she is gone)
Reaction #3 7:49 AM Thirtysomething woman: Excuse me - there's a typo.
Me: Sorry? Thirtysomething woman: : There's a typo*. You have an apostrophe in its - there shouldn't be.
Me: O dear! I will fix it immediately. Thank you. Thirtysomething woman: It is such a good quote - why spoil it with a mistake.
Me: True. Thanks again. ( The #66 bus comes and she is gone)
And that's the end of public engagement with this art as I was creating it. This afternoon's rain should be the end of the visual installment. I want to complete the project so I may reapply.
* Not to be picky but shouldn't we say a "chalko" instead of "typo"?
Chalking it up to age and... love of our civil rights.
Sira meets Julia, 1984
It could all just be chalked up to my age, a love of democracy and an infatuation with civil
rights. Our constitutional rights exist to make our lives, culture and neighborhoods,
civil. Gotta love that! Yet, it was more. I felt compelled to do my crazy and ill-timed ( for my schedule) project for many reasons. One was to mark many decades of trying to find an effective way to be an artist and add something to the ongoing struggle for human dignity, justice and peace. Another reason was purely sentimental. My first ever Arts Grant was a teaching project in 1984, where I took a group of kids out on the sidewalks of Central Square Cambridge and taught them some drawing basics as we moved through the neighborhood, creating art in unexpected places. At some point during the 4 week project, WGBH covered our proceedings and the clip of us working in early July, 1984 was aired (or repeated?) on September 8th. This also was the day our 2nd daughter, Julia was born. A maternity ward nurse recognized me and said, "Who would have thought you'd be out drawing on the sidewalk and having a baby the same day?" I was confused but she explained and we sorted it out. Back in the day, we did not have a TV and I was too busy before and right after Julia was born to be able to track down and see that video.
4:15 am Jul 18, 2013
Through the years I have marked my birthday by asking my family to cut me some slack and take care of business so I would have the time to do something nutty like chalk drawing from dawn to dusk. I find the process of chalk drawing delightfully ephemeral, completely impracticable, a bit challenging and totally enjoyable. I am not even very good at it at this point - so woefully out of shape am I. Not only is squatting difficult but I have not been drawing regularly for over 8 years. When you were never very gifted to begin with (like me) you'll find that your rendering chops fall away like a towel at a pool side. Still, it seemed like it would be too much fun not to at least try.
But in my 60th year, chalking had a new element; First Amendment Rights. A few weeks ago, I had read about the then pending case of a young man being charged with 13 counts of "disorderly conduct" for chalking the following message "Corbett [Gov of PA] has health care and we should too." [see above] His fines could be as high as $13K and his sentence as long as 13 years. I was amazed. I was incredulous. Mostly, I was deeply affronted by this attack on our civil rights.
5:00 am Jul 18, 2013
A friend showed me several instances of similar cases and this moved me to include a political statement in my artsy-fartsy birthday plans. Here is one of the cases that especially piqued my interest: "A jury Monday acquitted a 40-year-old man of all charges connected with writing protest messages in chalk on the sidewalk outside branches of the Bank of America. Deliberating for only a few hours, the jury...declared Jeff Olson not guilty on all 13 misdemeanor counts filed by Goldsmith’s office. Olson never denied writing the slogans. One slogan said, “No thanks, big banks.” Another, “Shame on Bank of America.” And in yet another, the bank was portrayed as an octopus grabbing at cash with its tentacles. “It’s chalk,” Filner told reporters last week in an exasperated tone. “It’s water-soluble chalk. They were political slogans.”But courts have held that graffiti remains illegal even if it can be easily washed off, Goldsmith said. That the Bank of America contacted the city attorney’s office to reportedly urge prosecution has become part of the dispute.
6:35 am Jul 18, 2013
Really? Corporations telling a DA who to prosecute? Faster than you can say "David and Goliath" I had chalk in hand and a full head of steam. I was pissed. BUT... instead of rushing headlong into this contested arena I decided to check my natural rash impulses and read the Town By-Laws. Finding no explicit rule against chalking on sidewalks, I found a copy of a Brookline Rec Department flyer that invited citizens to participate in sidewalk chalk art. Then I also dug up a 9 year old article about me drawing in chalk on my birthday. Thus prepared I called Town Hall the next day to see if drawing in chalk, in Brookline, required permission. My first encounter was with the Building Department, which seemed like the wrong town agency but in fact, all signage and public space in Coolidge Corner are under the Building Inspector's jurisdiction. Mike Yanovitch said that as long as my work was not "political or offensive" it should be fine. I bristled and my sub-clinical Tourette's kicked in and I blurted that I was not asking for a critical opinion on my art, just the legal stance of the Town of B on chalking sidewalks. Mr. Yanovitch immediately changed tacks and so did I. Within hours I had sent him an email thanking him and giving him tons of "background" information. And I waited.
6:55 am Jul 18, 2013
After 5 days I wrote again asking if Mr. Y had received my information. He had and said he was fine with the project and, he freely offered, without any prompt from me, that permission is not based a "content thing" but that I did need to talk to Department of Public Works. So, I journeyed on.
I called Peter Ditto at the DPW. Mr. Ditto said the main issues were about space - I must not block traffic and I must leave a 4' wide for handicap access. I explained that I had taken some pictures of where I wanted to work and would send them. I added that I try to work before rush hour, 5AM - 8AM and likely would need more than one day due to my day job schedule.
7:00 am Jul 18, 2013
Mr. Ditto asked me to send the info I sent to Mr. Yanovitch and add to it locations of the sidewalks I was interested in, which I did in a neat pdf proposal. He said I should check in with the Police Department too. Only too happy to, said I BUT suggested that someone might issue a letter of permission just in case. What if not everyone on the BPD force gets the word of mouth that my actions have been authorized? In the past I have been stopped and challenged by officers of the law and always found it useful to have a document on my person. Mr.Ditto promised he would get back to me.
So, I waited. And waited. On July 10, I received this email [below]… denying me permission. This is where my story may have taken a very different turn if not for my fortune to count as a friend and colleague an ace, 1st amendment lawyer. Enter (stage left) Michael Anderson.
A civilized exchange
Michael Anderson is a prestigious attorney, a wonderful storyteller and a fabulous Shakespearean actor as well. Michael's bio and tagline, which I have typed into many a program note ends with:
8:01 am Jul 18, 2013
"There is no such thing as free speech if you do not use it." It seemed like I was getting no where, fast, so I wrote to him for advice on finding a pro-bono lawyer. He offered his service, a winning strategy and we hit the sidewalk - um, road, running. In no time Michael had cases, examples of chalk art on Town sidewalks and a very comprehensive letter formulated. When permission was officially denied, my lawyer ( sounds impressive, no? ) sent the letter to the Town Counsel. I believe there was a quick response by phone and after a conference between Michael and Jennifer Dopazo Gilbert, verbal permission was granted. And we waited some more. Finally, on July 15th I received my permit for 4 hours on July 18th of chalking in the areas I requested.
It is a victory. I know. But seriously folks? I thought that the Bill of Rights protected us average citizens who normally cannot afford a consigliere. Did I really need to explain myself so extensively, then lawyer-up and persist just to do a few chalk drawings? Apparently, the answer is yes. But my lingering questions are, should this be? And, if so, what are we going to do about it ?
"Chalking is a spontaneous act of beauty." - sidewalk artist, Norah Dooley
To celebrate her 60th birthday, on Thursday July 18 from 4-8am,
Brookline artist Norah Dooley will execute an art project in
chalk on the sidewalks of Coolidge Corner. She says her work will be " A
poor girl's Jenny Holzer." Holzer is an American conceptual artist who
is mostly known for her large-scale public displays of provocative
words, mantras and ideas. Dooley's
work is much smaller in scale and will feature small colorful mandalas
and the sayings of dead and live presidents on the sidewalk. Dooley has
executed similar works in the past in Central Square, Cambridge and
Athol, MA.
"Like
sand paintings, sunsets and other natural ancient forms, the art is
meant to be temporary and, like life itself, fleeting" said Dooley.
The
Town of Brookline initially refused Dooley permission. But with the
help of ace First Amendment lawyer Michael Anderson, Dooley eventually
convinced Town officials that she has a right to peaceful expression on
the sidewalk. “The Town of Brookline allows commercial newspapers to put
large newsracks on the Coolidge Corner sidewalks. If the Boston Herald
gets to occupy public space to sell its point of view, then the Town
cannot constitutionally prohibit me from expressing mine in washable
chalk,” said Dooley. There has been much civil rights litigation over
protest chalk drawing in the wake of the Occupy movement, from San Diego
(where a jury acquitted a chalk artist of thirteen criminal counts) to
Flint, Michigan to Orlando. “I am glad that the Town officials acted
responsibly to recognize my free speech rights, rather than requiring us
to go to court.”
Below are the words she
chose. They will be bracketed with mandalas - one will have in a circle
of words around it - "If you see something, say something." The other
mandala will have just one word : either " racism" or "poverty" or
"injustice" or "violence "
To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men.
Abraham Lincoln
A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Peace and justice are two sides of the same coin.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
"A society's soul is most keenly revealed in the way it treats its children."
Nelson Mandela
She says she is not sure about this last one.... "I may just add it as my signature!"
"...if I did not laugh, I should die."
Abraham Lincoln
What
is this all about, really? The artist shrugged and said... " I like to
add beauty to disused public spaces and I have a friend who says 'Free
speech isn't free if you do not use it.' Two birds with one stone?"
This summer I mark my 15th year with the Read Boston Storymobile program. We will tell stories all over the city from July 8-August 16, 2013. Storytellers provide the stories and the Storymobile program provides the books, logistics and oganization, plus? They bring a brand new and free book for
every child in attendance. All sites are open to the public. Here is what a day on the road with Read Boston looks like... Typically we are scheduled in three sites in one of the many Boston Neighborhoods and the sites are accessible to one another by public transport. The van will have dropped off books for the expected audience and when I arrive someone at the facility or venue will have boxes of books ready. Sometimes everyone knows where I will perform and which way the audience will be seated. The outdoor venues can be super challenging with rain, traffic noise, other camp groups and many environmental challenges as well. I wrote the following in 2007 about a day in the Summer of 2000 -
My work sends me to some funky venues. This one was a park along side a highway where the planes are low overhead in their approach to Logan. It was about 90ยบ F. It was also before lunch and maybe after nap. About 20 kids about 3 years old each, walking like somnambulists, holding on to clothesline were brought out to me and we were all led to a huge tree. How primal - how essential ! Me, a tree and a group of children. This is storytelling. This is what it is all about! The disaffected teen staff were sullen and glum. Who could blame them? It was so damn hot, humid and smelly. But when I pointed out that the broken glass mixed in the wet with dew*grass as unsuitable for tender toddler bottoms of my audience they became even unhappier. We moved around the tree and finally to another tree.And I started at last.
A plane roared overhead. I pushed on. Traffic flowed and growled in the background. I engaged and cavorted. Then a bright and perspicacious little boy noticed a huge dog turd about 18" inches away from my foot. God I wished I had seen that first. "Wow. Look Dog POOP!" 20 little heads were snapped around and riveted in attention on the brown, perfectly formed canine offering by my foot. The teen counselors perked up. This became a moment of intense interest. My audience could not get enough - Then it evolved into group participation... more here
Theresa Lynn and Mayor Menino at the Tadpole Pond
But this not all Read Boston does... At their Facebook page I found:(6 photos) of
ReadBoston's
Anna Adler has been working with parents at Boston Public Schools'
Newcomers Assessment and Counseling Center in the Madison Park Education
Complex. Participants in this nine hour training have been working hard
and having fun. With only one session remaining, they are well on their
way to becoming "Early Literacy Parent Leaders".
In February they set up this deal. Throw
on your jammies and tuck into a good tale during the Hotel
Commonwealth’s pajama party and storytelling event Feb. 22-23. The
Bedtime Stories package features professional storytellers and
performers from ReadBoston. Meet and get your photo taken with George,
and make your own hot chocolate. Pay $20 to attend the event each night,
7-8:30 p.m. Or book the Hotel for Kids package for Feb. 22 or 23 at a
starting rate of $229, based on availability, which includes a
four-person suite, a kids’ backpack with L.L. Bean slippers, free valet
parking, and a morning pancake-making class for kids. Stay the second
night for $169. 866-784-4000,Parent Training at BPS Newcomers Assessment and Counseling Center or www.hotelcommonwealth.com After Schools in Boston are invited to apply for ReadBoston's After
School Reading Initiative. Created in 2000, ReadBoston's After School
Reading Initiative
has worked with over 90 after school programs throughout the city of
Boston promoting reading, literature, and literacy. To accomplish this,
ReadBoston works
closely with after school directors and staff, coaching staff to lead
engaging
Back in the day, the Storymobile was a huge RV with bookshelves
literacy activities. These activities include reading aloud
with groups of
students, creating independent reading times, and promoting
book-related activities. ReadBoston also purchases and develops diverse
book collections in after
school programs, creating inviting spaces for reading. Both school-based and community-based programs are invited to apply.
Organizations may choose to apply for more than one site, but must
submit separate applications
for each site. Two years ago I wrote this post on my last day... It is my last day of Read Boston. I will be in Charlestown all day.
Yesterday was a great day. I worked in the South End Settlement House in
their lovely walled garden, the Tadpole playground on the Boston
Common, at a school in Chinatown and then at the zebra gate of Franklin
Park Zoo in the evening. Hard to express fully how joyful and satisfying
it is to tell stories all day. Biking from
place to place, on a gorgeous day, telling stories. My idea of heaven.
Today I wrote this on the way to Charlestown. What I especially enjoy about bicycling to the venues are the little things I get to see in the city.
A meditation on some black details while riding on the Charles River to work.
black starling bathes in a tiny puddle on asphalt path
what a yellow beak!
kingfisher is a black question mark on top a
round white buoy.
A long shadow behind as I peddle by on a
black bike in early morning sun.
Here is my schedule for summer 2013:
· 7/15 Roxbury
10:00 AMHATTIE B. COOPER COMMUNITY CENTER -1891 WASHINGTON STREET
11:15 AM12TH BAPTIST CHURCH PRESCHOOL - 160 WARREN STREET 1:15 PMVINE STREET COMMUNITY CENTER- 339 DUDLEY STREET
· 7/16 South Boston
10:00 AM LABOURE CENTER -275 WEST BROADWAY 11:15 AM TIERNEY LEARNING CENTER 125 MERCER STREET * 12:45 PM * SOUTH BOSTON BOYS & GIRLS CLUB -230 WEST 6TH STREET
· 7/17 West Roxbury
10:00 AM ROCHE CENTER - 1716 CENTRE STREET 11:15 AM BILLINGS FIELD CENTRE STREET & LAGRANGE STREET 1:15 PM OHRENBERGER COMMUNITY CENTER 175 WEST BOUNDARY ROAD
· 7/23 Dorchester
10:00 AM ROCKWOOD EARLY EDUCATION ACADEMY- 995 BLUE HILL AVENUE 11:15 AM CODMAN SQUARE LIBRARY - 690 WASHINGTON STREET 1:15 PM ELMHURST PARK 31 ELMHURST STREET
· 7/24 Jamaica Plain
10:00 AM JAMAICA PLAIN HEAD START 315 CENTRE STREET – REAR 11:15 AM HENNIGAN COMMUNITY CENTER - 200 HEATH STREET 1:15 PM MARCELLA PARK CORNER OF MARCELLA & HIGHLAND STREET
· 7/25 Boston, South End, Chinatown
10:00 AM TADPOLE PLAYGROUND/ BOSTON COMMON 11:15 AM ESCUELITA BORIKEN 85 WEST NEWTON STREET 1:15 PM BOSTON CHINATOWN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER 885 WASHINGTON STREET
· 7/26 Roslindale
10:00 AM FALLON FIELD ON THE CORNER OF SOUTH WALTER & SOUTH FAIRVIEW ST. 11:15 AM SOUTH SIDE HEAD START 19 CORINTH STREET 1:15 PM ROSLINDALE COMMUNITY CENTER 6 CUMMINGS HIGHWAY
· 7/31 Dorchester
10:00 AM PROJECT HOPE CHILDREN’S CENTER -45 MAGNOLIA STREET 11:15 AM GROVE HALL LIBRARY 41 GENEVA AVENUE 1:15 PM KROC CENTER 650 DUDLEY STREET
· 8/1 Allston
10:00 AM FAIRY TALE CHILDREN’S CENTER 14/20 LINDEN STREET 11:15 AM JACKSON MANN COMMUNITY CENTER 500 CAMBRIDGE STREET 1:15 PM HONAN-ALLSTON LIBRARY 300 NORTH HARVARD STREET
· 8/2 Dorchester
10:00 AM THE CRISPUS ATTUCKS CHILDREN’S CENTER - 105 CRAWFORD STREET 11:15 AM HOLLAND SCHOOL 85 OLNEY STREET 1:15 PM CLEVELAND COMMUNITY CENTER 11 CHARLES STREET
· 8/14 Dorchester
10:00 AM YAWKEY CENTER 185 COLUMBIA ROAD 11:15 AM GERTRUDE TOWNSEND HEAD START 198 GENEVA AVENUE 1:15 PM BLUE HILL BOYS & GIRLS CLUB 15 TALBOT AVE
