Project Proposal

Aspen Gavenus

Visual Art 350

Final Project Proposal

“Let’s Do Lunch”

For my final project, I want to create a series of events where people come together and eat a meal that I have provided. The basic plan for each meal will be as follows:

à Obtain permission (if needed) to host event in the location

à Design posters, advertisements, and invitations to be distributed around Bowdoin/Brunswick

à Design a special “party favor” for each meal

à Make a guest book for people to sign

à Create a basic menu for the lunch

à Set up a table and chairs for the lunch

à Serve food and interact with people

à Preserve the unwashed tablecloth as a record of the happenings

Each step of the way will be recorded in some sense. Copies of letters of permission, ads, posters, invitations, menus, etc. will be saved for display, as will the tablecloths. The actual event will be documented (video/audio/photographs) by an assistant.

This project appeals to me because:

à I want to explore interactions between different people who live, work, and play in neighborhoods, especially when previous relationships have been somewhat strained or overlooked

à I want to take time to meet new people and enjoy friends I already know, and I want to provide a space for others to do the same

à I want to identify community spaces that are used frequently by many individuals and families or groups of friends, but rarely are used for events where all these strangers interact in significant ways. I want to have an event that uses the common space for something that everyone is invited to, and where strangers are encouraged to interact with each other.

à I want to transform an ordinary place at an ordinary time with ordinary people into something unexpected and special.

Places that I am currently interested in hosting these events:

à McLellan Parking Lot, during art marathon

à Security/Facilities Parking Lot

à Woods near Longfellow Ave (pathway to Farley/Harpswell)

à Parking area near Noble/Union/Potter Street neighborhood

à 350 Gallery Space, during our opening?