Client: Contemporary Art Forum for Kitchener + Area

Overview

Recognize Everyone (2018) is a large scale, site specific work, made for CAFK+A 18, June 2018, in Kitchener-Waterloo Canada, that reuses existing infrastructure. A three story exterior stairwell serves as the canvas for a starburst or spatial mural that can be walked on, and stood within. The work engulfs the main entrance to the building, which is occupied by Google Canada, at 27 Gaukel Street, in Kitchener Waterloo. Works that resonate with uninitiated public tap into a critical enthusiasm for the potential of public life. They always begin by noticing how it feels to inhabit public space, in real time, and then doing something about it.

Goals

“We have to walk away a bit,” suggests american poet Louise Gluck, “so that perspective grows wide enough to accommodate diversity.” Concepts of equity and inclusion are accessible through the work, as color permeates from a single point of view that changes as the viewers move. Installation view (east elevation), 27 Gaukel Street, Kitchener Waterloo, Canada.

Process

Every surface of an existing 14 feet wide, 20 feet deep and 38 feet tall exterior fire stair was painted by hand, in fourteen days. The project manager was the Don Miller, an artist in his own right. Gateway Painting primed the site. Gerry Van Cleef was out site co-ordinator. The window film was made by Poshmark. The crew consisted of Sebastian Koever, Alan Zeberek, and Jefferson Cooper received working-at-heights training from Sunbelt Rentals. The work was sponsored by Thalmic Labs, Inc who became NoRTH. Artist accommodation was provided by The Walper Hotel, with In-kind support from The Yeti Cafe & friends of CAFK+A: The Contemporary Art Forum for Kitchener and Area. A limited edition coffee cup of the work was made for the launch of the bienniale.

Additional Information

A record of the longevity of this piece is accessible through Google street view. To enter the building employees must walk through the artwork; what is on their minds? Concepts of unconscious bias engage populations as diverse as the city itself, through an element of surprise.