In this new day and age in Buffalo, it was no surprise the vast number of people who showed up to celebrate the unveiling of CEPA and C.S.1. Curatorial Projects “Full Circle“. The interactive art installation is essentially a number of swings that hang from a framed circle.
The swing is made for both kids and adults, who react and interact with one another. Sit facing inward, or outward. Swing super high, or enough to bring a smile to your face. In the end, Full Circle is intended to help bring a community together – a community that is already sharing a tighter bond than ever before.
Even more important than the pure number of people who showed up at yesterday’s unveiling was the mix of cultures that were represents. It was great seeing all of the refugees who were delighted to encounter this new playground. The project was a social barometer that had suddenly come to life. At times, there were almost as many adults swinging as kids – when the adults were lucky enough to find an open swing.
For years, we have been talking about bringing these types of playful works to our neighborhoods. Hopefully Full Circle, and all of the other West Side Lots Projects, will inspire others to collaborate and create works of interactive art that will ultimately break down the ethnic barriers and bring disparate cultures together as one “full circle” community.
An Interactive Public Artwork by Coryn Kempster and Julia Jamrozik
Corner of Auburn and Hoyt on the city’s West Side
Commissioned by C.S.1 Curatorial Projects and CEPA Gallery for CEPA’s West Side Lots Project