City as a Canvas- a hindsight perspective

So all went well, and I loved the live feel of things, of data downloads, and participation by many people who would not usually be involved in an arts project, and the way people 'got it’. I was expecting having to justify and explain notions of drawing, of mark making but this was never any issue- maybe they just liked the cycle ride, but no it was more than that, the collaboration involved and the idea that people where participating in something bigger than their contribution worked really well I’d love to share with the drawings on the maps, but I'm now waiting for copyright permission to publish. I'll get back to you on this. Anyway, I'll mull it all over, I've already thought of how we could do a few things differently if we get the opportunity in another city. Oh and I have to go through 65 evaluation forms. So in the mean time, please visit http://jeanniedriver.com/cityasacanvas/its still in development and we hope to put the animated drawings online soon..

The Big Draw- day arrived, and teams registered for routes, gps digital loggers, and back stickers- stating cyclist creating digital drawings. (I think the branding and reinforcing the message to wider audiences is helpful) teams went off and did the drawing. On their return, we downloaded the results into the software Mike had developed and watched the rides animated in google earth, whilst the cyclists annotated their experience. Print outs their drawings were popular mementoes. We created three drawings, (yes they were actually of recognizable things) the first CITY CYCLE combined three routes (basic and experienced rides) the second TURNING PORTSMOUTH ON ITS HEAD, was undertaken by Portsmouth Cycle Forum, one of the members has just given me his footage from his new (birthday present!) helmet camera. The third A FERRY GOOD RIDE- a ride from between the ferries on both sides of the island, and then back to the centre.

So back to The City as a Canvas…The concept for this work is a development of a project I'm collaborating with Mike Blackman on for our Distributed South Residency, where we are building a prototype to collect data and mapping of people using office spaces (an extension of my Office Investigation work). City as a Canvas was a participatory event, where 5 teams of cyclists where recruited, including Portsmouth Cycle Forum, Portsmouth Tri athletes, community groups supported by police PCSO"S and members of the public. We preplanned routes to create the drawings and worked with cycle officers to denote routes that were suitable for different levels of cycling ability. The trials, risk assessments and securing the corporate insurance was an experience, but ultimately successful.

Before the hindsight bit, a little of the context…I've been working as a freelance artist consultant for corporate Initiatives in a local Authority. This invitation evolved from my role as artist in residence in 2006, in a Healthy Living Centre in the City. Anyway, first task was to organize a BIG DRAW event linking sustainable transport, the centre and to raise the profile of creative activity and participation. So it’s been a bit of a whirlwind, securing funding (its easier when you're 'on the system' and gain access to peoples budgets and aims.) Well all this got me thinking and I decided to do GPS drawings with teams of cyclists, now known as 'The City as a Canvas' project. I like to think big and this was a way to create a huge drawing, get participation fulfill project aims and to experiment. The City as a Canvas became one element for the event, and I commissioned other artists to lead activities facilitating actual drawings to provide accessible activities for the audience. Activities included a huge floor drawing using the sports hall, and the other drawings on the glass walls, with artist Nicki Godleib (this is a breakthrough in this precious building!)