One of the most valuable reminders I’ve taken from my work is that art does not need to last to be meaningful. Many of the works that have shaped me as a social artist are ephemeral. These pieces are intentionally designed to exist momentarily and disappear.
Art can be both fleeting and monumental, and experiences can become unforgettable. Emotional encounters, a sense of wonder and awe, and the ability to transport a viewer beyond the every day can linger. Even though a work isn’t permanent doesn’t mean it won’t live on in memory and records. Olafur Eliasson’s Weather Project filled a room at the Tate with mist and the illusion of a burning sun. Ai Weiwei’s Cube of Light captivated audiences with glass crystals. Robert Irwin’s installations relied on light and space to prompt audiences to question their own perception of space and art.
I view magic and delight as keys central to placemaking. These are ingredients that cannot be fully taught, communicated in a tool kit, or even instructed in workshops and pamphlets. These are moments that must be experienced. This is why I am drawn to experiential art. Conventional boundaries can be dismantled and senses heightened so that transformation can take place.
Though a dinner party may last only a few hours, its impact can be preserved. The conversations held at the table, the connections made, and the memories formed from the experience can exist long after the last plate has been cleared.
