Tysons art trolley hits the streets this month.
Julia Vogl and the Arts Council of Fairfax County are truly bringing public art to the public with an interactive art trolley this month.
Vogl, along with two aides, will set up a roving art trolley—what she calls a lemonade stand on wheels—throughout different parts of Tysons from May 18-24, to both build and survey residents on what they desire for a culture scene in Tysons. Participants who visit the trolley will play a game, answering questions about their intake of culture, and walk away with a piece of art (a unique pin based on their answers) that will make up “Tysons Tiles,” two public art installations at Greensboro Park and the McLean Metro Station from June 25 through Aug. 3.
Since last July, when Vogl was commissioned to design and implement her project, she has met with the Arts Council and private entities throughout Tysons to get the project off the ground, a project she hopes will “work as a catalyst that engages the community” to think about how they consume culture.
Vogl doesn’t think of herself as an “anthropologic, political surveyor,” but she has visions of this project getting residents to talk about their wants and desires for the area that has been known as a traffic-clogged shopping and business mecca. “I’m hoping the [survey-involved] pedestrians on the Metro [or in offices] will see others wearing their pins and it will incite conversations about art with complete strangers,” says Vogl.
Once she collects her goal of 1,000 survey participants, Vogl will use the data to help the Arts Council understand what residents want in terms of culture and use the design of the pins as the tile work for the temporary installation.
Moving into the collection portion of the project, Vogl does wonder how many people will engage with the trolley. But just like the design of the artwork, she says, “the challenge is up to the community.” –Lynn Norusis
(May 2015)
Queer Queens of Qomedy featuring Poppy Champlin and Karen Williams
May 17, 7 p.m. This unique national comedy tour is making a pit stop in Vienna on Sunday evening. Featuring Poppy Champlin, a comedian who got her start on stage with Chicago’s The Second City improv troupe, and Karen Williams, a founder of the National Women’s Comedy Conference. Jammin’ Java, Vienna; 703-255-1566; $20 – $30
