What started in January as simple art classes and an open studio in a room at London’s Ark Aid Mission, has been taken to the great outdoors for Jeremy Jeresky.
The University of Western Ontario Master of Fine Arts student will begin working on his latest project, The Community Monument, and seeks the assistance Londoners to switch the building’s graffiti-filled west-facing wall into a three-dimensional mosaic of art – with items ranging from eyeglasses, shoes and bottle caps to plates, bicycle tires and picture frames.
“The Community Monument is a community cultural initiative,” says Jeresky of the Aug. 28 event, adding his practice explores ways in which the creative facilitation of dialogue can approach community-based and public art.
“Furthermore, I am also interested in the concept of the monument, particularly in its commemorative function. Yet, I am also interested in how the idea of the monument can be rethought, and if looked at from a new perspective, can engender public authorship.”
Within this context, public authorship means the general public can participate in the production of (or author the content of) public art. Public authorship is an attempt to call attention to public arts’ cultural function, which is its relation to the public.
“It is about creating dialogue, beginning with people talking – it is about stories or narratives and the self-presentation of people through acts of memory,” says Jeresky, adding the monument will be a wall mosaic composed of objects with personal significance.
“It has been said that the purpose of a monument is to bring the past into the present to inspire the future. The Community Monument, however, begins in the present to commemorate community growth, diversity and dialogue. Furthermore this monument will act as a time capsule for both individual and collective identity.”
The event is open to the community, particularly those who access various social services in the community and business owners. Visit the Ark Aid Mission (696 Dundas St.) from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. to participate in the creation of the art. A barbecue will also be held from noon to 2 p.m., with live bands from noon until 4 p.m.
For the duration of the event, participants who add an item have the option of having their picture taken with their item. They can also fill out a form asking for their name and briefly describe their item’s significance. This documentation will subsequently be posted onto Jeresky’s blog and allow people to learn about how others viewed the significance of their donated object.
An art exhibition will be held inside the Ark Aid Mission of the work of those who have been participating in the open studio. Art works from guests of My Sister’s Place and several other agencies will also be on display.
“The overarching theme of this exhibition is to open up the doors of the Ark Aid to the rest of the community. It also provides a venue for those who access the services of the Ark Aid and other agencies to exhibit their artwork in a professional manner and in a group dynamic,” says Jeresky, adding a donation box will be set up in the exhibition and offers can be made on any artwork in a silent auction style.
If you would like to volunteer at the event, contact Jeresky at jeremy.jeresky@gmail.com.