Big up, Jamaica! 2004

.....
What if information about the future of a community could be as sexy, alluring, fun as shopping?
.....
In the Jamaica Food Court, a small bulletin board displays information about plans for Jamaica’s future in a quiet, uninviting, and unexciting way. No alternative futures are presented, only matter-of-fact architectural renderings of the plan as established fact.
.....
The nearby retail shops of Jamaica Avenue, in marked contrast, celebrate the investigation of alternatives. You could get green with blue tops, velcro or lace-ups, or…?
.....
As part of the exhibition Jamaica Flux, organized by the Jamaica Center for Arts and Culture, Damon Rich built an experimental urban planning community outreach module using a pair of Nike Terminator hightops with an embedded video screen, and installed in the Sneaker Mart at the Gertz Mall. The screen displays thoughts from Jamaica residents on the past, present, and future of their neighborhood. On the street, a large poster announced the outreach initiative: Jamaica’s Future.

Participants

Damon Rich, Lead Designer
Renee Johnson, Artist
Lenny Rodway, Artist
Lize Mogel, Technical consultant
Rosten Woo, Technical consultant

Resources & Links

Organizations

Jamaica Center for Art and Learning (JCAL)

JCAL offers a wide range of exhibits, educational projects, film screenings, lectures, and performances. The group was one of the first in the country to work with local schools to develop arts education programs.

Downloads

Blockbuster (Flash, 2 KB)

Press

	‘Proof That Things Are People Too (Well Almost)’ New York Times May 18, 2007 “Architectural objects include the Center for Urban Pedagogy's proposals for 'Jamaica's Future' (that's Jamaica, Queens), among them a memorial for Jam Master Jay. ” Website Download PDF
	‘New in Art: Just Take The 7 Train’ New York Times November 12, 2004 “The collective called Center for Urban Pedagogy picks up Mr. Oguibe's guardedly utopian thread by planting models for urban architecture among footwear displays in Sneaker Mart.” Website Download PDF

Related projects

Big up, Jamaica! is also related to
Temporary Showroom
Values & Variety: Shopping on Fulton Street