ARTivention arose from the need to integrate art as a catalyst for social interaction and transformation. It also serves as an approach to art making and viewing that takes the art out of the traditional studio, gallery or museum setting and positing it directly in the public realm. With all ARTivention projects, a collaboration evolves between the artist and the audience which in the words of Suzanne Lacey, is where the real art exists. To date, each project has highlighted a specific social concern, and has asked the viewer, audience, participant to not only interact with the work, but by doing so taking action to alter or make an imapct upon the specific issue.
Care Packages was the first ARTivention project that began in fall 2008 in response to the 17 Uighur detainees in Guantanamo Bay. Collectively with over 45 participants, 17 prayer mats were constructed and sent to the detainees. In addition, each participant also sent a letter of protest to the Department of Defense regarding the rights of detainees.
Commune-ique, conceived in 2009 and realized in 2010, is an on-going site specific locational work that explores inter-personal interaction using a portable structure constructed from hand felted wool. Each sheet of wool was made in collaboration with over 65 individuals including clients from Lincoln Park Community Shelter, church groups, students and museum visitors. Inspired by a traditional Mongolian yurt, the constructed "shelter" appears at random public locations including parks, vacant lots or green spaces. At each site viewers can enter the structure, interact with artists on site or contribute their own artisitic expression.
The latest ARTivention project is entitled Found Objects. It is a year long collaboration between the artist and public in which hand-knit sweaters are placed in public locations. Finders of these sweaters are then instructed via an attached label to contribute to the National Coalition for the Homeless. Knitters from around the country have joined the cause and participated by knitting and placing their own sweaters around town. A detailed blog also highlights the locational placements of these sweaters at www.artivention.wordpress.com. For more information, check out the detailed description.