“HARAMBEE” Interactive Art Project in Redwood Shores

Something unusual is coming to Redwood Shores, and you have an opportunity to be a part of it!

Three Redwood City parks (including our own Mariner Park) will host artist Michael Koliner as he works with community members to build “Cob-Adobe Benches” — functional pieces of art that are visually distinctive and also convenient for park-goers.

Concept Image of Mariner Park Functional Art Installation

Concept Image of Mariner Park Functional Art Installation

Everybody in the community is invited to participate in a “Harambee” (which means “all pull together” in Swahili) event. Food, refreshments, and music are included. What you will need to bring to participate is your grubbiest clothes, because in order to build these pieces, as many people as possible will need to join a mud dance (stomping in mud) in order to ready the cob-adobe needed to finish these functional art pieces. Children and adults of all ages are encouraged to volunteer and be a part of the art installation!

Saturday, October 17
10:00am – 2:00pm
Mariner Park
(We encourage you to bike or walk)

A number of additional events are being held for opportunities to gain more information about the Harambee and meet the artist and backer behind the project. More information is available in the flier, additional event schedule, and press release posted below:

 

ADDITIONAL EVENTS

Art Talks

“Making on the Road” with Artist Michael Koliner (a TechShop Pittsburgh employee)
Thursday, October 1 from 6:00pm-7:30pm located at 2415 Bay Road, Redwood City, CA 94063

Redwood City Parks and Art Foundation and TechShop Mid-Peninsula sponsor an event to meet Pittsburgh-based artist, Michael Koliner, as he shares his great journey and learning experience in creating the functional art for Redwood City.

Meet Curator Lance Fung and Artist Michael Koliner

Tuesday, October 6 from 7:00pm-8:30pm located at 1044 Middlefield Rd. Redwood City, CA 94063 in the Community Room

Redwood City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department and the Redwood City Parks and Art Foundation will also be sponsoring an event to “Meet Curator Lance Fung and Artist Michael Koliner” as they both share the interactive, functional, and great art they have planned for Redwood City.

Redwood City “Harambee” Events:

  • Andrew Spinas Park (2nd Ave. and Bay Road) – Friday, October 16 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
  • Mariners Park (Tiller Lane and Bridge Parkway)- Saturday, October 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Mezes Park (Warren St. and Standish St.) – Sunday, October 18 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
  • Public Art Installation Unveiling

Come enjoy three events on October 25 to celebrate the unveiling of the new public art. The City encourages families to attend all three progressive events, which offer food and entertainment at each park location.

October 25 Unveiling Event Details

  • Andrew Spinas Park unveiling: 9:00 a.m.
  • Mezes Park unveiling: 12 p.m.
  • Mariner’s Park unveiling: 3:00 p.m. (parking limited, walk or bike to the event)

http://www.redwoodcity.org/harambee

PRESS RELEASE:

The City of Redwood City announced on September 8th, 2015, the launch of a unique public art partnership with Fung Collaboratives to debut three works of functional art in October sponsored by Redwood City Parks and Arts Foundation. The City of Redwood City commissioned emerging artist Michael Koliner to produce and debut functional works of art for the community to sit on, use and enjoy at three local parks. The partners are currently planning opportunities for the community to participate and engage in the artistic process, which will be announced by mid-September.

“The City of Redwood City is thrilled to be partnering with Fung Collaboratives, the Parks and Arts Foundation, and Michael Koliner to bring new functional public art for the community to use and enjoy,” said Aaron Aknin, interim city manager. “Based on our recent city satisfaction survey, over 87.8% of our residents use local parks, and the public art debuting in October will provide a new, creative park benefit within three local parks for residents to enjoy and experience.”

Michael-Koliner artist-at-workThe Redwood City public art installation will be Pittsburgh-based artist Michael Koliner’s first public project on the west coast. Koliner will be based in the Bay Area while creating Redwood City’s three new public art pieces. The unveiling of the functional art collection in late October for the community to use and enjoy.

“We spend a lot of time in Redwood City, taking advantage of all the public programs the city produces. The community is extremely dynamic and a wonderful environment to create this art collection,” said Lance Fung, Fung Collaboratives chief curator. “Commissioning Michael Koliner is truly amazing and his artist energy and creativity will shine through in the art collection he is developing.”

“A big thank you to Fung Collaboratives and the City of Redwood City for their leadership and innovation to help steward this process through,” said Pamela Estes, Parks and Arts Foundation board president. “The art collection will be a tremendous community asset and enjoyed by all parks goers for years to come.”