Ageotropic
Said of parts that would be expected to grow as gravity pulls, but instead grow upward, such as the knee roots of cypress
"A SOLITARY WALK AND EXPERIMENTAL TRANSMISSION"
"In a society of increasing control and formulated predictability, one may find inspiration in the beauty of irrationality in nature.
Much of our surroundings still do not adhere to the rules and restrictions we set up for ourselves. The simplicity of spontaneous thought and imagination is still part of our humanity, but becoming less and less a part of our conscious selves. Harnessing personal associations, the sound and visuals of this interactive “labyrinth” will be more delightful and exploratory than deliberative. The hope is to slowly remind us of the elements outside our daily grind, of the things that are too easy to forget; illogical things, impractical things. The intention is to induce participants to become open to these quiet, hiding parts of their surroundings."
No Brass Bands on Free Lunch
Download this episode (13 min)
Picnic parks became popular in the late 1800's with the establishment of Ridgewood Park and Colosseum in 1875. It was a phenomenon created for the immigrant residents of the Greater Ridgewood area who worked six days a week and needed a release, a form of entertainment.
In 1875 four German grocers purchased a large forest area for $20,000 dollars and created Ridgewood Park and Colosseaum. This park was one of the largest and most interesting, extending from Summerfield St. to Seneca Ave, bound on the North by Myrtle Ave.
The park contained it's own ice house to keep meats and drinks cold; a carousel, wheel of fortune; and a dance platform on the site of what is today PS 77.
"High Ballons would be released into the sky, carrying a few men, and one of them would dive out in a parachute"
"There were fruit poles; wooden columns about 35 feet high with fruits racked or nailed into them in an elaborate manner from top to bottom. Park propritors went all out in their afforts.
By the turn of the century, the great era of picnic parks was on the wane, culminating in their dissapearance. What was responsible for their demise? The main cause was sky rocketing land values in the area. There were large influxes of Germans migrating from Brooklyn and Yorkville and those immigrants from Europe who all wanted homes. Demand became so Great that builders had a difficult time trying to build homes fast enought to meet this demand."
...from do you remember, The Private Picnic Parks of Greater Ridgewood. Ridgewood Times, 3.10.1983
Posted by Cathleen Grado at 4:31 PM | MAKE A COMMENT
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Cathleen Grado
NYC, Queens
From Sept. 13th to the 16th, spontaneous and ever changing sound collages inspired by my neighborhood will be available here for listening, dowloading, or burning to disc. .....you may also use itunes or other players in conjunction with these pieces to create set lists. Please check back regularly for new sounds, and click on the links below for more information on the Ageotropic project as well as the Conflux Festival and all it's participants.
Note: I am currently uploading a long mix of the pieces (Sunday, 10:33 AM)
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