Curiosities of Lyndale
An original art work commission by, and in the public art collection, of the Lyndale Neighborhood of Minneapolis Minnesota.
A community art project that directly displays the individual stories and values of community members by wrapping neighborhood utility boxes with imagery that comes directly from the community members surrounding each box.
At neighborhood events throughout the summer Schmitt photographed object that answered the question “what are some unique object in your home that best represent you, your story, or the community?” These photos were then used to design post-modern versions of the 16th century curiosity cabinets,
thus creating a unique opportunity to bring Lyndale neighbors with different histories together. The box wraps are essentially a big graffiti-resistant sticker that is applied to the exterior surface of the utility box. The box wraps are similar in form, each looking like a cabinet, but unique in that each box displays different artifacts from the people living in that particular area. Walking around the cabinet the audience enjoys a 360 view of the objects inside. Weather dependent; we hope to have all 20+ utility box wraps installed by early spring 2013.
This project showcase the diversity of the Lyndale neighborhood and creates an outdoor walking museum in which the stories, values, and interests of local residents are on display.
This project was funded by an anti-graffiti grant from the City of Minneapolis and a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council that is supported through the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.
Carly Schmitt 