Sophie Calle - Double Game "Phone Booth" 1994

I had been planning to attend the Creative Time, Sophie Calle project at the Greenwood Cemetary last weekend for a while. I am excited by participatory work that uses art to fuel a connection with one another, and in this case a beautiful part of NYC. As luck would have it, my friend Luna Park reminded me of a small phonebooth project Sophie did back in the mid 90's. In it she is challenged by Paul Auster to...

"Pick one spot in the city and begin to think of it as yours. It doesn't matter where, it doesn't matter what. A street corner, a subway entrance, a tree in the park. Take on this place as your responsibility. Keep it clean. Beautify it. Think of it as an extension of who you are, as a part of your identity. take as much pride in it as you would your own home."

I adore this sentiment and motivate my work on similar grounds. I really believe that by interacting with, and acting upon the city, we become better stewards of public space and with it grow deeply invested in our cities. It's like a relationship in that way. The more you give, the more the city gives back and a rich public life is the result of a deeply engaged population. For a bit more info on Sophie's project [HERE]