Over the last few days, a series of white poles have popped up on a hill in Pope Park. From a distance, they do not look like anything other than stakes hammered into the ground. The clotheslines actually form a labyrinth which allegedly “addresses the migratory voyages of the residents who reside in the neighborhood.” The artist, Satch Hoyt, is one of four who have public art projects sponsored by Real Art Ways.
The press release from Real Art Ways provides the following as descriptions for the other projects:
Sofia Maldonado is creating a mural on the Pelican Tattoo building in Frog Hollow. She’ll also be organizing collaborations with youth in the neighborhoods.
Matthew Rodriguez will install 70 characters on trees in Pope Park, and one on the side of La Estrella bakery in Parkville.
Margarida Correia’s photographs of Hartford youth embracing their Portuguese heritage will be on billboards in Parkville. Street lamps on Park Street will display album covers of famous Fado singers, with an accompanying audio component.
The project will launch on May 30th, and all four artists will be in town this week. The opening reception for “the four projects, which make use of the creativity, vibrancy, and culture of Hartford’s Parkville and Frog Hollow neighborhoods” will be May 30th, from 2-5pm. Real Art Ways will be offering free bus tours (leaving from Real Art Ways) from 3-5pm. There will be free guided bike tours at 3 and 4pm. Given the small geographic area that this project spans, I would recommend that those who are physically able explore on bike or on foot. To really experience the “creativity, vibrancy, and culture” of these neighborhoods, you need to not be in an automobile. Besides, bicycles are part of this area’s heritage.
After Saturday, May 30, visitors can take free, self-guided audio cell phone tours, narrated by the artists, by dialing 860-
760-9979. They’ll be in English and Spanish. Margarida Correia’s will also be available in Portuguese.
You can read more about the Parkville and Frog Hollow neighborhoods on Karen O’Maxfield’s website.
sujal
Are you going to do the bus tour?
kerri
I’ve already embarked on my own foot tour. It’s really such a small geographical area that I can’t justify use of a motorized vehicle.
lobonick
if there is ever a guided tour, i would love to go…
nick
thanks. this is just great.
Richard
Love this art in my area. Walking around in Satch Hoyt’s work is wonderful. What lines!
Hey everyone take a walking or a bike ride tour. Leave the bus behind. Come see our Parkville neighborhood and Park Street. Have some nice food, enjoy the art.
My only warning would be, when in the Pope Park be careful of the high and clumped grass (maybe ticks) and don’t slip in the goose shit (that’s a fact).
kerri
Thanks for the warning about the goose shit. Forgot about that. Also, watch for motorbikes tearing across the park.
Richard
Went out walking on Sunday to take a look at the art. I was so delighted to see all the faces in the trees. Stand on the corner of Hamilton and Park Terrace and look at the grove. What fun Matthew Rodriguez has created for us. The grass around there isn’t high so we walked around greeting each tree. That has long been my favorite grove of trees to walk within. We also noticed someone doing some other art on the ground with seeds and rocks. Then we went to see Satch Hoyt’s labyrinth which had changed since we saw it last. I had a nice walk within. Now I read somewhere that in August the people of the neighborhood are invited to bring their washing and hang on the lines. Count me in.
Next weekend we will go to see the rest of the art. Our thanks to Will and the staff at RAW for bringing these artists to Frog Hallow, Park St. and Parkville.