DOWNTOWN SCAVENGER HUNT EXHIBIT OPENING MAY 9
POP UP SPACES presents
The Downtown Scavenger Hunt Exhibit
McLellan Building in Downtown Tucson
63 E. Congress (corner of Scott and Congress)
OPENING EVENT
SATURDAY, MAY 9, 2009
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Exhibit on building exterior facing Scott Avenue will be continuously available for public viewing throughout the summer.
“It was fun. I drive through downtown all the time but have never paid attention to the great old buildings.”
“Awesome! Great activity to involve kids and families.”
–Feedback from Pop Up Spaces Downtown Scavenger Hunters
On Sunday, March 1, 2009, 30 plus Southern Arizonans descended upon downtown to take part in the Downtown Scavenger Hunt. Participants were given clues to find 10 locations, each one with a short creative activity that encouraged them to engage with the current environment, reflect upon the historic record, and imagine future possibilities for the space.
The 10 locations (and their interactive activities) included:
- At 41 N. 6th Avenue, which housed Model Bakery from the 1940s to the mid 1960s, scavengers found a “kiosk” with a note that said, “This place used to be filled with the welcoming scent of baking bread. Now it’s covered in bars instead. Write a note about what you think happened and tack it to the bulletin board.”
- At 47 N. Scott, most recently the restaurant Motzi, visitors were asked, “If you could open this restaurant tomorrow, what would be on the menu?” Responses in the attached booklet included “cactus cookies,” “eggs Florentine (a breakfast joint)”, and “tasty Indian food.”
The public is invited to come see the activities from all 10 spots and the comments, drawings and photos produced, and to explore the interior of a currently empty space at the McLellan building. Printed handouts of the clues will be available for participants to find the sites on their own, and other fun, family-friendly participatory surprises are in store. Co-founders and local artists Julie Ray and Rachelle Díaz will be present answer questions about the ideas behind the Pop Up Spaces project. Visitors are also encouraged to try something new downtown, whether it’s lunch at a local restaurant, or a trip to the nearby Tucson Museum of Art or Tucson Children’s Museum. You can also enter the raffle to win a basket full of wonderful goodies showcasing the eclectic mix of businesses the area has to offer.*
For those unable to attend the opening but want to try the Downtown Scavenger Hunt, the clues may be downloaded from our website here. Participants in the ongoing scavenger hunt are welcome to send digital photos and comments about their experiences to us at info@popupspaces.org. Photos of the March 1 event may be viewed online.
POP UP SPACES seeks to produce temporary, interactive, site-specific installations in empty spaces in which the visitors are not just expected to be passive viewers, but asked to be active participants. The goal of these art-based experiences is to enhance economic vitality and public engagement in downtown Tucson through promotion of the area’s culture, history, architecture and business community.
*Raffle prizes donated by Desert Blooms, Voices Community Stories, Fox Theatre, Dinnerware Artspace, Chris’ Cafe, Shot in the Dark Cafe, Cup Cafe, Maynard’s Market & Kitchen, On A Roll, Rockin’ Queen, Hydra, Preen, 6th Ave. Styles and more.
Exhibition space donated by John Wesley Miller. Exhibit panel printing sponsored in part by Reproductions, Inc. Special thanks to Monica Surfaro Spiegelman and photographer Roy Chamberlin.