West Philly welcomes its newest interactive artwork: this Sunday, Clark Park will be transformed into a multi–part installation called FIGMENT Philadelphia, consisting of over 45 different participatory art pieces.
FIGMENT was first held on New York’s Governor’s Island in 2007 and has since expanded to other cities The founders conceived of FIGMENT as a solution to what they saw as the most pressing issues in the current art scene: art’s lack of accessibility and its over–commercialization. To counter those problems, they hosted a celebration of the arts that was free, interactive and open to everyone.
“Most experiences in our world today are commodified,” says Bevan Weisman, Lead Producer of FIGMENT Philadelphia. “You pay for something and expect something in return. We see FIGMENT as a day free of those expectations.” Commercial transactions of any kind are prohibited at the event, there are no corporate advertisements and the organization runs completely on volunteers. Through their freedom from commercial interests, FIGMENT seeks to make art accessible, enjoyable and engaging for everyone.
Since the first event, FIGMENT has grown to include tens of thousands of participants in nearly a dozen cities. Coming to Philly for the first time this year, it calls itself “an explosion of creative energy.” Because FIGMENT doesn’t involve any curation or selection process, anyone with an idea can submit a project. As long as it meets space requirements, it will be included.
Weissman, lead producer of FIGMENT Philadelphia, was first involved with FIGMENT in Boston. When he moved to Philly, he felt that the city had a great creative energy and was “ripe” for an event of this type. Weissman calls FIGMENT “a platform for everyday people to show off what they made and bring it to the public.”
The art is not just to look at, but to interact with and enjoy. Many of the projects involve games or activities aimed at children, meant to encourage creativity and imagination. Projects include everything from installations and experimental music to inflatable structures and dances. Many involve games or activities aimed at children, meant to encourage creativity and imagination.
This Sunday, over 45 pieces will be featured. Mirabai Galashan’s project “The Love Seat” consists of an inflatable couch offering comfort to anyone who needs it; Philly’s Spiral Q Puppet Theater will be on–site allowing kids to try their hand at expressing themselves through large, quirky puppets; and Frank’s Kitchens, a design collaborative based in Kensington, will have a collection of “Mutant Bikes,” chopped up bikes reassembled into metal structures that visitors can test out.
FIGMENT seeks to stand for principles like inclusion, self–reliance and environmental consciousness. The organizers believe that “art isn’t about creating an object that can be bought and sold, or creating a ‘show’ that you pay to attend—it’s about creating a shared experience.”
