Take a Breather (Place project)

Social traits:

1. A place where people might be tired or need to rest
2. A place where people will read the sign at least
3. Reused object (recycled)
4. Inexpensive
5. Easily read as a seat

Physical traits:

1. A potentially busy area
2. Antihomeless architecture
3. Downtown
4. Highly visible
5. Immediately accessible
6. A place where people gather (a bus stop)
7. Near offices/workplaces
8. Unobtrusive
9. Easily visible

hen conceptualizing my piece for the Place assignment, I knew that I wanted to do something that was both simple and practical while still providing some utility to the location in which I executed it. I asked myself; what is a problem that I have observed myself moving about Pittsburgh -- a problem that is larger and affects others as well -- and what can I do in response to it.

The first thing that came to mind: anti-homeless architecture.

The proliferation of anti-homeless architecture in American cities is a problem that I notice in every city that I'm in; with, concrete spikes placed in open spaces on the street, chairs that you cannot rest your things on, and -- in Pittsburgh specifically's case -- benches that you can not rest or lay down on. This hostile architecture not only negatively affects homeless people: but the disabled, people carrying things (including babies), and the tired.

My gesture is small -- but hopefully effective. I believe that people deserve a place to rest.