Traveling City Golem Altars
A traveling installation project that offers community spaces for local residents and passerbys to add to and participate in a larger collective.
Each installation labeled with a simple reflective prompt that guides the intended use, function, and location of the golem.
Golem:
An animated anthropomorphic being from Jewish folklore that is created entirely from inanimate matter
Golems are seen a lot in fantasy movies and games and typically take on characteristics that align with the intent they were created for.
Golems are seen a lot in fantasy movies and games
Design statement
How might we reflect our internal worlds onto the city in order to inspire more creativity and community?
rESEARCH AND iNSPIRATION
Exquisite Corpse
A game in which each collaborator adds to a composition in sequence, either by following a rule or by being allowed to see only the end of what the previous person contributed.
Salavation Mountain
An art piece in the desert near Slab City that is filled with caverns and painted rooms.
maze vs labyrinth
A maze has dead ends and false paths while a labyrinth is a continuous route that will always lead out.
Salvation mountain has collective altar space that is used for general prayer. Trinkets and idols are left in the space.
Some things people collectively start and add to on their own:
gum on poles
grafitti on walls
locks on gates
stickers on signs
Concept
Golem- an animated anthropomorphic being that is magically created using a specific phrase or intent from inanimate matter
• Leave a part of you behind to power the golem to move around the city
• Adding to larger collective. Cultural communal city altar
• labeled with simple reflective prompt
• Golems body and location are influenced by its specific intent
Prompt Brainstorm
• I acknowledge
• I value
• I cultivate
• I thank
• I trust
• I love
• I appreciate
• I know
• I am
• I can
• I create
• I will
• Garden
• Library
• Area to paint
• Area to sign
• Area to pray/ meditate
• Leave items behind that once helped you that you no longer need • Oddities collection
• Collage (trash/ pictures)
• Community/seating space
• Picture of loved ones and things
• Place to hang things
Ideations
I THANK, I will
OUR SERVICES
•A place to leave books or trinkets behind that once helped or served you (passing it on)
•Geocache concept
•Located at Olvera street- a hub of cultural diversity
I ACKNOWLEDGE
OUR SERVICES
• Graffiti/ paint area located at vista park
•Provides creative outlet for many close schools (elementary through college)
•In an area with lots of diverse influx
(near LAX)
•Encourage people to activate the area beyond Venice and bridge the wetland reserve gap
•Could be propped on side of building as framework for mural
I CULTIVATE
OUR SERVICES
•Located at fox hills park near Inglewood
•Covered and uncovered area to encourage the start of a garden
•Garden will stay when golem moves
•Can train vines up lattice and plant seedlings in the walls
I value
•Located in downtown LA
•Activates side vacant spaces in the fashion district
•A walkway to hang photos or leave drawings/ writing
OUR SERVICES
I TRUST
•Located in front of LA City Hall
•A place to sit in shade away from court
•Offers a place to hang sentiments
•Gives a place for voices to be heard in front of local government
