Setting the Site by Mary Banas

SETTING THE SITE Mary Banas for Lucinda Hitchcock | Spring 2009 | Rhode Island School of Design

BULLETIN BOARD EXPERIMENTS I-V

Bulletin Board Experiments are a series of site interventions. My favorite two bulletin boards are on the Brown University campus; they stand at a busy intersection and are recieve a heavy rotation of flyers. Each of my experiments is an attempt to better understand how the boards function. The boards are a neutral, public area where anyone can share a thought or idea, while the flyers act as vehicles for individual voices. Bulletin boards are a non-heirarchal system, for example: an individuals lost pet flyer could be next to a National ad for summer jobs. The content on the boards is always changing, and the materiality of the paper suggests the impermanence of a zeitgeist.

An attempt to silence the boards.

This experiment was an attempt to draw attention to the boards and flyers by creating an absense of flyers. This project was in collaboration with Adam Gray.

As an extension of the Bulletin Board Experiments, I conducted Pond Experiment. Stretching the pink material across a body of water between two people I used it to symbolize connection and lack of connection. This project was in collaboration with Teresa and Robert Banas and Sarah and Craig Hall.

24 WHAT-IFS

RSVP

RSVP is a project that threw a party to an abandoned site. As a way to celebrate the beauty in these banal and potentially over-looked areas, the party language of RSVP implies that there is someone making a call and waiting for a response.

MASS MoCA

Self-portrait with mid-career LeWitt

ALPHA-BRICK

Alpha-brick was the result of our one-week quick group project. Inspired by the patterns in the brick patio, my group each interpreted the brick patterning from their own point of view, I chose to make a typeface using this section of the patio (at right) as my grid.

I THINK, I FEEL, I AM

I Think, I Feel, I Am is three wax-paper covered posters. Installed in heavily-trafficked elevator they provided a list of words on flourescent office labels, inviting elevator patrons to contemplate their current state of being.

GRAFFITI COVERS

Graffiti Covers began in a women’s bathroom at the John D. Rockefeller Library at Brown University. I discovered complex threads of conversation were written on the stalls there. Graffiti is an impulsive, un-self-conscious mode of expression with the ultimate goal connecting with others: those who write on the wall do so anticipating an audience. Anxieties such as “I’m terrified I will never find someone who loves me” appeared next to proclaimations from enthusiastic literatis such as, “I (Heart) Shakespeare.” The confession: “I sometimes feel like I’m both completely devoid of self-esteem and an absolute narcissist,” received a couple of knowing replies: “SAME,” and “LOL.” Each of the Graffiti Covers present the the thoughts of one author as a book cover, and replies to that author are treated as sequels.

Brown University John D. Rockefeller Library Women’s Restroom on Level A Graffiti Series

I’m Terrified I Will Never Find Someone Who Loves Me

Loneliness Unites Us All

I Feel Fulfilled, at Least Somewhat...

I Think People Make Too Big A Deal About Sex Here.

Agree or Disagree?

I Think This Implies There Is A Reason Behind Everything.

Everyone Feels It, But If We Only Thought About That We Would Realize That We Are Never Really Alone! The compelling sequel to: I’m Terrified I Will Never Find Someone Who Loves Me

Brown University John D. Rockefeller Library Women’s Restroom on Level A Graffiti Series

I Sometimes Feel like I’m Both:

Completely Devoid of Self-esteem And an Absolute Narcissist.

In Every Dimension Of My Life Except Sexually And I’m Scared That Will Ruin Everything Else.

A Critical Analysis of the acclaimed: I Feel Fulfilled, At Least Somewhat . . .

“God doesn’t play dice with the Universe.” —Albert Einstein

A Thoughtful Reply to: God Doesn't Play Dice With The Universe. . .

I’m Pretty Sure There Isn’t.

Brown University John D. Rockefeller Library Women’s Restroom on Level A Graffiti Series

Brown University John D. Rockefeller Library Women’s Restroom on Level A Graﬃti Series

Same

LOL

Why Do I Let YOU Make ME Feel Like This?

One Readers Response to: Sometimes I Feel That I Am Both Completely Devoid of Self-Esteem . . .

A Second Response to: Sometimes I Feel That I Am Both Completely Devoid of Self-Esteem . . .

Graffiti Series

Brown University Brown Rockafeller UniversityLibrary Rockafeller Women’s Library Restroom Women’s on Restroom Level A Graffiti on Level Series A Graffiti Series

DEAR GIRL WHO THREW UP IN THIS STALL THURSDAY MARCH 12th

Vol. I

Vol. II

Please don’t do that to yourself. It’s dangerous for your body and it’s dangerous for you as a person! ... (continued)

“I have been there before too. Only you can decide to take care of yourself and face your fears in order to do so, but it’s worth it, and trust that those who love you are there for you when you think you’re all alone. We ED victims are in it together.” —A Survivor

Brown University Brown Rockafeller UniversityLibrary Rockafeller Women’s Library Restroom Women’s on Restroom Level A Graffiti on Level Series A Graffiti Series

DEAR GIRL WHO THREW UP IN THIS STALL THURSDAY MARCH 12th Vol. III

“It’s Worth It. It truly is. We got your back.” —Another

Brown University Brown Rockafeller UniversityLibrary Rockafeller Women’s Library Restroom Women’s on Restroom Level A Graffiti on Level Series A Graffiti Series

DEAR GIRL WHO THREW UP IN THIS STALL THURSDAY MARCH 12th

Brown University Rockafeller Library Women’s Restroom on Level A Graffiti Series

DEAR GIRL WHO THREW UP IN THIS STALL THURSDAY MARCH 12th

Vol. I V

Vol. V

I Hate This Eating Disorder & Myself More Than Anything Right Now. I Just Wanna Be Free Again!!!

I Feel Ya Sister! And You Can Be Free. Just Maybe Not On Your Own. Please Look Into Treatment. Renfrew In Philadelphia Saved My Life. It’s OK To Need Help.