New Neighbors

ARTIST STATEMENT

Throughout history art has been a catalyst for change. The October Revolution, Object Orange in Detroit, the Obama campaign. Artists have affected the course of history for kings, presidents, countries and civilizations. Art holds the power to sway social momentum, but it doesn’t always operate on a grand scale. Sometimes art hits closer to home. Sometimes it is born to a city block. Not everyone sees the potential of abandoned properties. There are many negative aspects associated with vacant buildings. Especially when they have laid vacant for long periods of time, yet these dormant properties have architectural and historic value worthy of revival. New Neighbors seeks to highlight the unrealized potential of abandoned properties in a Historic District Neighborhood in East Durham. It’s a community outreach and arts initiative rolled into one local project. Vacant buildings share one thing in common — empty or boarded up windows. What if we could visualize new neighbors living in abandoned properties? Fleeting glimpses of them going about their day and doing everyday activities. Not in a particularly voyeuristic way, but in an “I feel good knowing someone has moved in.” kind of way. This is precisely what the New Neighbors project will create. Empty and boarded up windows on the facades of vacant buildings and homes will provide the backdrop for bright, boldly colored illustrations of virtual occupants. Images will capture these new neighbors living their lives in all their mundane glory. Casting a spotlight on these buildings which are primed for transformation, a neighborhood renaissance and New Neighbors.

 

THE NEIGHBORHOOD

East Durham developed in tandem with the Durham Cotton Manufacturing Company; founded by Julian S. Carr in 1884. Today giant, leafy trees form a canopy over streets where trolleys once ran between the rows of cottages and bungalows. In 2004, Preservation Durham’s survey of East Durham was instrumental in getting the neighborhood added to the National Register of Historic Places. The survey required the photographic documentation of over 1600 properties. Historic districting gives homeowners the opportunity to apply for generous state Historic Tax credits, thus providing the impetus for the revitalization of East Durham.

 

THE PROCESS AND PAINTINGS

As I work through rebuilding my website, please take a look at this Flickr set with images from all stages of New Neighbors.

 

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PRESS for NEW NEIGHBORS

The Durham News wrote a story about “People You may Know,” which included a few New Neighbors. Read here, download here.

The Herald-Sun also wrote a story about “People You may Know.” Read the piece here or download a pdf here.

Not to be outdone, The Duke Chronicle chimed in on the show. View the story here or download a pdf here.

The Durham News wrote a piece about the project. Read it here or download a pdf here.

The Herald-Sun wrote a preview article about New Neighbors. Read it here or download a pdf here.

The News and Observer wrote an article about the project. Read it here or download a pdf here.

Dave Delacambre included New Neighbors in his excellent piece, “Takin’ It To The Streets,” for artsee magazine. I’m working on a link!

Bull City Rising was kind enough to write a great piece about New Neighbors. Check it out here or download here.

What a pleasure to be on “The State of Things,” with Frank Stazio! Listen here.

The Independent Weekly included New Neighbors as a “recommendation” and a “pick.” Sweet! View here and pdf is here.

The Herald-Sun featured New Neighbors and Highway One work in an article. Read it here or download a pdf here.

You’re welcome to download the brief press kit we sent out to media outlets around the country here.