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abenowitz — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:54:19 CDT

Dear Friends and Strangers!

What is the function of public space in the 21st century? In what ways have our understanding and use of public space evolved over the past two or three millennia? In what ways have they remained constant?

We would like to invite you to join us in celebrating the release of the May / June neighborhood-themed issue of The New York Moon Saturday, May 17, 2008 in Union Square by participating in a collective effort to imagine what Union Square might be like as an ancient Greek agora.

1. We begin our collective imagining very simply: by convincing as many people as possible to participate in a toga walk--that is, to put on togas (a white sheet or even a trash bag will do) and walk through the stalls of the market in Union Square.

2. Following the toga walk we will be conducting two other performances that concern themselves with the way we make use of our public space in the 21st century and encourage audience participation.

3. Finally, in the spirit of the agora as a place built on the principles of public discourse and the exchange of ideas, we invite anybody who is interested to contribute to the discussion of public urban spaces in absolutely anyway that inspires them--be it a reading, a performance, an installation, etc.

How to Participate

1. Togas togas togas! We need as many people in togas as possible. Come out in a toga! Get your friends to come out in togas. In addition, we need lots of extra togas (sheets) to hand out to passers-by. We are hoping to collect dozens of extra togas that will be distributed and recollected at each end of the market. Bring your old linens or let us know of a place that is giving away old linens that we could collect before the 17th.

We will also need several volunteers to help in the distribution and collection of togas.

2. Performances. In addition to a toga-clad audience, we are looking for a dozen or so volunteers / actors to participate in the performances.

3. Come in a toga - do your own thing. Exploit an interested, toga-clad audience.

4. Visit our wiki and contribute to the discussion:

If you are interested in participating please contact Aaron Finbloomaaron (dot) finbloom (at) gmail (dot) com

Toga Supply

abenowitz — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:45:46 CDT

Who can bring extra sheets? Please put your name and the number of sheets you can bring.

Aaron 3

What is an agora?

abenowitz — Tue, 06 May 2008 10:43:30 CDT

The Greek agora was the public, commercial and civic center of the ancient Greekpolis. The agora was a marketplace where people from different social classes and different walks of life would interact; it was a place where information and gossip was exchanged; and it was a place where civic meetings were held. The social functions of a public, open space have persisted in our culture--in places like Union Square and in the European tradition of plazas and piazzas.

Lewis Mumford writes that "since the agora combined so many important urban functions--law, government, commerce, industry, religion, sociability--it is hardly any wonder that...it became the most vital and distinctive element in the city."

Mumford goes on to quote the Greek poet Eubolus's description of the agora: "You will find everything sold together in the same place at Athens: figs, witnesses to summonses, bunches of grapes, turnips, pears, apples, givers of evidence, roses, medlars, porridge, honeycombs, chick-peas, law suits...allotment machines, irises, lamps, water-clocks, laws, indictments." (The City in History, 150.)