When did you first become aware of Artica? What do you recall from your first visit?
2002 was the first Artica I participated in, so the first visit was when we chose the location of our project (dome with black light ping-pong inside and dance “floor” and DJ spot). I loved the ruins of the buildings, the general landscape and the free feeling of someplace that was so wild so near a downtown of a major American city.
When did you become more involved, as a participating artist or volunteer or any other role? And what types of roles have you taken on over time?
I’ve been a contributing artist from the first time I participated and served on the board for a few years. I have also helped with effigy build along with other artists’ installs when asked, as well as site clean up.
If you're able, can you sketch out some of the art installations that you've set up onsite? Names, years, anything that you would point to as key to remembering those pieces?
Although the pieces have varied over the years, as have the people I’ve collaborated with, in general it’s the excitement of the site visit, the design/planning of the work, the materials and installation that are exciting and satisfying. (I use and re-use materials, forage and glean and spend very little $$$ on my Artica pieces.)
Also, can you address the use of space, itself, on the Artica site? I feel as if you've utilized that road up to the Cotton Belt (which then goes out and onto the tracks), but you've probably had pieces in several areas. Can you address the terrain a bit, how it impacted your work and how you adapted to the nooks and crannies of Artica?
As a L-O-N-G time participant (2002 almost continuously through 2023), the Artica site is ALWAYS the canvas. Corny but true. I’ve worked in many different locations, including inside the loading docks of the Cotton Belt when we had access. Each piece I’ve done has been a like a sketch, working through ideas about designs and materials. Honestly, the site was much more interesting to me before it became so cleaned up, although it’s much safer now; I loved using objects etc from the site — “one person’s trash is another’s treasure!!”
Was anything of yours ever bothered onsite, whether by human hands or by high winds, rain, etc.? I imagine you've had some moments in which weather may've impacted the work...?
Not really.
Do you have a short list of moments that're key, memorable ones from attending and/or participating in Artica? I imagine everyone who's spent some number of years going has a story or two or 10, to tell...
So many…………… here’re a few that are personally significant for me as a collaborative creator:
My first year - 2002 - BPB Dome w Black Light Pingpong. Our dance party collective Big Pink Brains brought our vibe, decks, a generator and some DJs and had some fun. We inhabited an alleyway, southwest of the Kerr Foundation, plopped the dome in the center and played all night and then made breakfast for folks the next day.
Winter Artica (year ?) was amazing and COLD and the area the area east of the Cotton Belt Building was mountainous with earth (legally) dropped from the construction site of the St. Louis Art Museum expansion in Forest Park. In response to this topography, I created two arched stacks of milk crates on top of the mounds, ushering people through the site. I liked this piece a lot , it was simple, used found materials and served the event. This year also marked the beginning of many deep relationships and I also acquired a gorgeous wool coat from some people who were gifting clothes; Every item they gave away had a story attached to it.
The year (2011???) a physical theatre group, “The Unseen Ghost Brigade” floating into Artica on their way from Minneapolis to New Orleans on the Mississippi River. They performed original songs and tales of woe, truth and murder as skeletons (except for their narrator, Mark Twain who was in white face with a clown nose). They were temporarily stranded in St. Louis when their raft (the RiffRaft) got repaired. I connected with them at Artica (and realized we had mutual friends!), helped them out while they stayed in St Louis and started a deep friendship/collaboration with their lead member Walken, that continues to this day. Our most recent iteration is “Open Flame Theatre.” I have no idea what art I did that year.
2014. A series of political banners suspended in the Cotton Belt Building honoring Mike Brown — who was murdered by the police in Ferguson, MO Aug. 2014 — and also calling for racial justice and an end to police brutality. A beautiful shrine with candle and flowers appears around the a Mike Brown banner that was really powerful.
2015 Artica provided an opportunity to vent some frustration/anger about the possibility of an NFL stadium being placed on the Artica site. (It didn’t happen). Rage Rabbit was a silly screwed up, primitive creature (made of recycled materials) attached to a dolly which wheeled around in confusion and disbelief.
Did you ever have that "perfect" Artica project that wasn't able to be presented, due to time, or money or other factors?
No.
On a given weekend in October, what types of things make an Artica go from one level to next? Maybe it's the blend of works presented, or just human interaction, or a handful of great music performances...? In your mind, what combination of forces takes the event to that special, magical vibe that it can hit?
The course of the day and the light/energy. Organic.
Purely out of curiosity, have you ever considered Artica in another location? If so, where could you see it settling, if the real estate of that space changed hands at some point?
I don’t have a good answer but I’d definitely appreciate someplace similar — in or near the city, privately with the flexibility to allow for site specific installs and preferably the burn.
To end with a very broad question, is there anything you'd like to say about Artica and its impact on yourself and/or your community of creative peers?
A lot of gratitude for the freedom to work site specifically, DIY with literally NO rules (other than considering the safety of others). I appreciate the personal adventure and it definitely has fueled my creative flames.
More Artica interviews and content can be found here.