As the Lawn on D unveiled its latest installation - several two-story-high white rabbits - its organizers took time to discuss the idea of artwork as spectacle in Boston, a city where the idea of public art used to involve stone sculptures meant to be looked at, but not touched.
This season's numerous interactive exhibits are the second year of programming for the D Street ArtLab, a project promoting art installments in public spaces. After featuring only local artists last summer, the D Street ArtLab is now showcasing artists from around the world; Current exhibitors Kelly Goff and Amanda Parer (the woman behind the rabbits) are from Curacao and Australia.
Moderated by Lawn on D artistic director Chris Wangro, the Play in Public Art panel featured currently exhibiting artists and local art educators to discuss spectacle, site and architecture.
Parer's Intrude is the largest exhibit on the lawn; it features five lit up inflatable bunnies, each two stories tall. Back for a second year is Höweler + Yoon Architecture's crowd pleaser Swing Time, a series of LED-lit circular swings.
Unlike at a museum or traditional art show, community members and lawn-goers are encouraged to touch, sit on and take selfies with all of the interactive installments.
During the panel and Q&A, artists and audience members expressed pride in the Lawn on D's current exhibits and a desire for art in more of Boston's public spaces. They said Boston wasn't always considered "art friendly" but they're persevering to change that.
Most D Street ArtLab exhibits will be at the Lawn through October. The monster bunnies, however, will only show through July 12.
Photo copyright Views of the Northeast. Posted in the Universal Hub pool on Flickr.