Bringing together residents, artists, activists and passers-by, inPUBLIC was a 2-day festival in 2019 that highlighted the importance of “public-making”—the collective creation of opportunities for interaction, laughter, dialogue, learning and surprise. inPUBLIC exuberantly demonstrated the connections between public space and public discourse, outdoor play and collective healing, pop-up performances and shared food, comedy nights and performance art. With lots of help from near and far, inPUBLIC created a multi-textured and joyous counter-atmosphere to this moment of increased isolation, tension and repression.
On Friday, September 13th, inPUBLIC brought the Downtown Crossing Steps to life with dozens of local artists, healers, activists and makers. Interactive activities include capoeira, percussion, yoga, dance, button-making, games, flag-making, costume-making, reiki, health talks and public-making panels.The night was topped off by the 1491s, a world-renowned indigenous comedy troupe. Many thanks to Luis Cotto, Alvaro Lima, Jonah David and other participants who shared photos with us!
On Saturday, September 14th, inPUBLIC brought its own style of public-making to Upham’s Corner, uniting with Nick Cave’s amazing Augment Project and Parade and the Annual Upham’s Corner Arts & Health Festival with local merchants, performers and community organizations. It was a day dedicated to celebrating the people, art, partnerships, cultures and community of Upham’s Corner and beyond. Even a sudden rainstorm couldn’t stop us! For more photos and the backstory on DS4SI’s role in the Augment building wrap, click here. Many thanks to Hakim Raquib for the amazing photos!
None of this would be possible without our fabulous local partners—Now + There, Company One, DSNI, Upham's Corner Main Street, Upham's Corner Health Center and BAMS Fest, our amazing partnering artists, healers, activists and makers, and the generous support of our local and national funders: the Barr Foundation, The Hyams Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, the Kresge Foundation and Surdna Foundation.
