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The world is ours. That was the
message this weekend during the Department of Space and Land Reclamation's
three day "spatial
resistance" campaign. The DSLR's goals are to return private space
to the public, to break the forces of alienation and to place
our visual landscape back into the hands of those who live and work on
and in it. To this end, they hosted nearly 60 artistic and activist projects
throughout Chicago, some more provocative than others.
Activists and artists rolled a stinking
ball of trash down Michigan Avenue, explaining their hope to "encroach upon the sensory expectations
which dominate this exclusive shopping district," while "protecting
the right to do something incongruous with the goals of high price commerce." Another
group leaned ladders against walls, fences and barriers - defeating these
tools of social alienation. One woman walked around asking strangers
to kiss her passionately while on camera. Another group, calling themselves
Women in Favor of the Continuation of Street Harassment, staged a facetious
pro-street-harassment protest, proving that "women aren't the only
ones with the 'Nice Ass!'"
Other projects included the Rapid Message Replacement System, where
messages were cut into paint rollers so entire public surfaces could
be covered rapidly; delivery of a collection of litter from McDonalds
to its rightful owners at their headquarters in Oak Brook; a takeover
of the CTA with anti-Nike and anti-Starbucks ads; stickering Philip Morris
products (like Kraft dinners) with messages calling for a consumer boycott;
and some general hanging around and conversation-starting in places where
such things are considered deviant and frightening.
A video showing and discussion of this weekend's activities are scheduled
for 7 p.m. on June 9 at the Stockyard Institute, 4147 S. Damen St. in
Chicago.
Among the amazing people and groups that are part of the DSLR is www.47ward.com,
which is mobilizing against the gentrification of the 47th ward. They
foster democratic participation in neighborhood development decisions
by going to meetings they haven't been invited to, and encouraging others
to do the same. Hip Hop University is also involved. HHU offers summer
courses that integrate hip hop culture into fields like creative writing
and entrepreneurship.
This weekend inspired me. I often
feel there's nothing exciting to do in Chicago during the day - the
Miracle Mile and Navy Pier don't cut it, especially for those of us
not bringing home a consultant income. Museums are museums, not interaction,
not life. So much of what I see seems sterile. A movement like the
DSLR is powerful because it's decentralized, fun, inclusive and ongoing
- and rooted in serious concerns about developments and destruction
in area communities. For the DSLR, the problem is that "to
exist today means to tread on the property of others - urban
space has been designed to maneuver us from one point of sale to the
next."
Like I said, the message is: The
world is ours. Organizers feel strongly that "projects of reclamation both connect us in a struggle for
social justice and also provide a blue print for more dynamic modes of
existence." The intent is creation not destruction; art not vandalism.
I think it's great, and I hope to see more - next time on the
North Shore.
Dana Lossia is a Weinberg senior.
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