The transistor radio: weapon of micro dissemination

…more SoundLab Woostercollective on Spring

Thousands of New Yorkers queued up to see the Street Art installation over the weekend. Literally lines wrapped around Spring and Elizabeth Street for this free event. Our sound system (broadcast though the space via radio) kept the space lively during the 3-4 hour wait. Big big thanks for all the DJs and live PA who came down to play. This much patience from an audience that is used to immediate gratification leads me to two thoughts.

1. People are hungry for flavor. The things that have some grit, noise, and bite back. I don’t mean bite back simply in a tough way, but in a way that has meaning for maker and viewer. It seemed to me that the people who came through the exhibition felt like they were participating in something…in a New York happening. Sara and Marc, who curated the event, had the wisdom to set things in motion then pretty much let the artists alone. Enjoy the flikr stream here and here

2. Individuals can thrive––in fact be further inspired––working in loose collective conditions. There was terrific respect in the space over the several weeks of installation. People shared equipment, gave a hand or an opinion, but also stayed out of each other’s hair. Artist who had been leaving coded messages for each other for years on the walls of cities allover the world met together in the space and shared it. Dope.

How can this kind of energy be sustained?