“ I think that we make county government sexy and interesting.” ~ Tomora Wright Swann
”And I think that part of what I love so much about public art is it’s non-discriminant…it doesn’t discriminate with its audience. Everyone and everything is welcome to experience this and gain what they can from it or what they want from it .” ~ Aurora Robson
I have the good fortune of living in a place that values public art — art that anyone can see at any time of night or day — and that, with its very presence, invites just a little curiosity in a way that you might imagine would appeal to me.
So I was delighted when Tomora Wright Swann, Public Art Projects Manager of Arlington County (Va.) reached out. That prompted me to connect with contributing artist Aurora Robson. Then a wonderful world unfolded.
When I visit other cities, one of the things I look for is iconic walking tours – the cisterns of Istanbul, the passages couverts of Paris, the murals of Philadelphia, New Orleans’ Garden District. What a pleasure to talk with two people behind Arlington County’s own art walking tours!
I love being able to enhance the experience that we have with our civic facilities by adding sculptural elements. It creates a sense of wonder when you enter that place. It’s special — and thoughtful.
Tomora Wright Swann
Listen to Choose to Be Curious #274: Public Art Is a Curiosity Practice
Check out Arlington Arts, the County’s Public Art collection, and the new walking/biking/driving tour maps.
Take a look at artist Aurora Robson‘s diverse, fun and thought-provoking work. And, if you’re now curious about bioluminescent mushrooms, I’ve got you!
Check out Nekisha Durrett, creator of the Queen City installation Tomora and I discuss, and Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, creator of Untitled Perched Objects, also in the park.
Bonus! C2BC guest Philippa Hughes recorded a segment for WETA PBS on the story behind Dark Star Park.
Graham Coreil-Allen will have you rethinking your whole approach to public spaces. What a rich conversation we had about Placemaking.
And, if you want to think about art, especially in new ways, you might enjoy these C2BC Classics: Point of View, with Photographer Jason Horowitz; Studio PAUSE, with Sushmita Mazumdar; On Open-Earedness, with Tim McKenry; and Slow Looking & Visible Thinking, with Claire Bown.
Photo of Tomora Wright Swann at John Robinson Jr. Town Square in front of the sculpture FREED, both by artist and designer Walter Hood; photo used with permission.
Theme music by Sean Balick. Hickory Interlude, Lemon and Melon, Sunday Lights, Town Market and Tuck and Point by Onesuch Village via Blue Dot Sessions.
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