A vacant lot, a truck, and a giant bubble turned gathering place. This is the latest experiment in public space coming to the 600 block of Braddock Avenue later this evening.
The Spacebuster is a traveling community-space installation that is actually a giant, translucent bubble connected to the back of a large delivery truck. It was commissioned by the Storefront for Art and Architecture, and designed by
Raumlabor in 2009.
Attendees enter through the truck’s passenger door and are transported into the enclosed space, which is inflated by a large fan under the truck’s ramp.
The
Storefront for Art and Architecture envisioned the Spacebuster as a way to transform public spaces into points of community gathering. It has recently traveled throughout New York City, and is now on tour of the Rust Belt region and on loan from the Storefront.
The
Flint Public Art Project (FPAP) is taking the Spacebuster on the road through Pennsylvania and Ohio to Flint, Michigan.
At tomorrow’s event, which is facilitated by Braddock-based UnSmoke Systems Artspace, barbecue will be provided by Union Pig and Chicken, as well as music from DJ Chevy and DJ Dave Zak. The family friendly event is free and open to all.
UnSmoke proprietor Jeb Feldman says this type of event is suited to a community like Braddock which has the space to accommodate an installation of this kind. But Feldman says it’s also a great way to bring energy to Braddock’s main street, and attention to issues of public space and vacant land.
FPAP is a platform for cultural production and public engagement in Flint. The Congress for Urban Transformation is a research and urban engagement-based conference in Flint, where the Spacebuster is ultimately headed.
The Spacebuster in Braddock is tonight, Wednesday September 12th, beginning at 7 p.m. 600 block of Braddock Avenue, 15104.
Writer: Andrew Moore
Source: Jeb Feldman