Urban Prankster » park(ing) day

Park(ing) Day 2009

Charlie Todd — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 10:56:06 +0000

Today is Park(ing) Day 2009. Groups around the world will turn parking spaces into temporary public parks.

San Francisco art collective REBAR first created “PARK(ing)” in 2005 to re-imagine the potential of the metered parking space. In 2006, in collaboration with TPL, REBAR founded “PARK(ing) Day”: a global exploration of the creative potential of streets.

Here’s a video from Park(ing) Day NYC 2006:

Last year I had a delightful time relaxing in a park on 6th Avenue and 24th Street. If you find a parking space park today in your town, let us know in the comments.

New Improv Everywhere: The Mute Button

Fake Car Tent

Charlie Todd — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:50:47 +0000

Artist Michael Rakowitz came up with a clever way to camp out on an urban street, make your tent look like it’s a covered car!

He writes:

(P)LOT questions the occupation and dedication of public space and encourages reconsiderations of “legitimate” participation in city life. Contrary to the common procedure of using municipal parking spaces as storage surfaces for vehicles, (P)LOT proposes the rental of these parcels of land for alternative purposes. The acquisition of municipal permits and simple payment of parking meters could enable citizens to, for example, establish temporary encampments or use the leased ground for different kinds of activities, such as temporary gardens, outdoor dining, game playing, etc. A first initiative for this re-dedication is realized through the conversion of ordinary car covers to portable tents for use as living units or leisure spaces. Ranging from a common sedan to a luxurious Porsche or Lexus, the tents enable a broadcast of desire within the marginalized space of need.

Reminds us of Park(ing) Day.

Via Make

Park(ing) Day

Charlie Todd — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:21:53 +0000

Today is Park(ing) Day 2008. Groups around the world will turn parking spaces into temporary public parks.

San Francisco art collective REBAR first created “PARK(ing)” in 2005 to re-imagine the potential of the metered parking space. In 2006, in collaboration with TPL, REBAR founded “PARK(ing) Day”: a global exploration of the creative potential of streets.

Here’s a video from Park(ing) Day NYC 2006:

New Improv Everywhere: The Mute Button