Proposal 2.0

Proposal Revision

Taking our feedback into consideration, we have made some important revisions to our project proposal. To move from the idea of a traditional to-do list for students (a list of things we are always meaning to do but constantly forgetting/putting off), we want to “shatter” the list, breaking from the tradition of a list of tedious tasks. When we say “shatter,” we mean doing away with the idea of having all of the items on the list in one place, on one piece of paper, and planting the items all over campus so we can utilize more physical space in our execution. We realized that having to do lists that were meant to be taken at leisure meant that the execution of these items would never be seen or be able to be documented. Having a list per person would isolate them. Shattering our list and scattering it across campus allows students to engage with a list piece together and promotes community bonding.

The next change we made was to the items on the lists themselves. We wanted to have items that people could personally reflect upon as well as items that observers could execute immediately, such as “smile at a stranger.” These items would be spread across campus according to how they interact with the landscape. For example, one of the items on the list is “Try a new perspective” that would be traveling up a staircase or upside down or mirrored on a surface. We could immediately see students’ reactions to this. For an example of personal reflection, we may write a question on an expanse of sidewalk or cement and keep chalk nearby so students can write their answers and admire others’ input. Engaging our list with the space will give our list a poetic essence.

What we want students to gain from this community art experience is to have the feeling of instant productivity and satisfaction. Many times we compose a To-Do list that we never can fully finish. To do lists are looked at with dread. With our list, students are given the opportunity to accomplish tasks we propose within minutes. Not only will they be productive but they will also be leaving an impact, whether physically adding to our project or interacting with it with a friend or even a stranger. As our items will be scattered, they will not feel a pressure to complete a bulk list of items. Because they will be numbered and scattered, this adds a touch of whimsy and playfulness, like a game where you must seek out another clue on campus. By dispersing our items, we also do not place a pressure of one being more important than another.

As for research, we would need to fully scope out campus, perhaps note heavily trafficked areas or secluded areas that we wish people would see. From there we can invent or connect items on our list more harmoniously with the environment. For the heavy trafficked area, we can have items that promote interacting within the crowd of students.