It's 2:30am local time and the jet-lag from my flight to Ethiopia is starting to kick in, however the previous months of Art exhibits at "The mARTket" have me in reflective zone. The summer is officially a wrap, and my world travels have brought me back to a country I've come to admire for a multitude of reasons. If for no other reason, I respect the air of constant "hustle" proliferated in the everyday Abyssinian society. Before leaving the states on my excursion, I was pleased to take part in an experimental "Pop up gallery" hustle of sorts. Made possible by T.R. SoNo Partners and Norwalk 2.0, The mARTket was perhaps the first fully functional Pop-Up space dedicated to the presentation and sale of Art in the heart of SoNo's design district.
The Pop-Up concept is not a new one, nor is the legacy of Ethiopian culture. Where as many people (unfortunately) only relate to Ethiopia based on the mid 80's "WE ARE THE WORLD" campaign to feed a famished portion of this vast country, or perhaps, others (may) recognize the red yellow and green national colors made popular by Bob Marley and the Rastafarian religion. Ethiopia's history spans thousands of years, while it's soil is scientifically recognized as the birthplace of humanity, spawning a lineage that dates back to the time of Solomon and Sheba. A key part of Ethiopia's existence as a nation, allowing it to escape the clutches of European colonization, is it's people's resilience and determination to survive. Independent commerce is the backbone of Ethiopia's economy, like Japan, Brazil, The Caribbean, Morocco or the US, It's the grass roots entrepreneur who is constantly developing ways to market, promote and be successful in their trade. So it's no surprise that a visit to Addis Ababa's Merkato, the largest open air market on the African continent, is so inspiring.
Navigating through the constant hustle and bustle of Merkato is like becoming one with a living organism consisting of infinite streets and pathways, where commodities are bought, sold and bargained for at a high speed pace. Everything from goats to gold are exchanged in a backdrop resembling Indiana Jones meets the Wall Street trading floor. Although well established store fronts line the never ending labyrinth, obvious "Pop-Up" entrepreneurs and artisans create an additional layer of chromatic wonderment that radiates through clouds of dust and car exhaust. Standing in the middle of it all, I envision the great potential pop-up shops and galleries could have on the U.S. economy. The effects of a crippled real estate market and the highest unemployment rate in years, combined with an overall sense of economic instability have created a platform, or rather…. a necessity for new ways of trade to be developed.
Very much like Merkato, our efforts with the mARTket were to create an "ACTIVE" space for art and commerce. We planned "shot gun" shows that were well organized and attended, but brief, allowing multiple receptions in a short period of time. Our "Artist in window", Duvian Montoya, sparked constant interest from passers by as he painted on sight throughout the summer. Events like dinner and a movie, sponsored by Coromandel: Cuisine of India, and a screen printing workshop with children from Carver Center, demonstrated the communities enthusiasm to participate in our eclectic happening. Perhaps one of the most experimental and assuring events was a "Flea Market" style exhibit that took place during the SoNo Arts Celebration. Not to slight historic contributions of the SoNo Arts organizers, but we managed to create an event within an event, made up of 20+ Artists who agreed to make the best of their 8x10 (or so) space, contribute for event supplies, cross-promote each others work and make room for roaming entrepreneurs to "Pop-Up"…...it was a hit!.
As the global economy seesaws, and weather patterns constantly remind us how vulnerable we really are, maybe we all need to start thinking outside the box…or get rid of the box all together. Instead of letting retail spaces sit endlessly vacant, create temporary or short term agreements that will benefit all parties involved, as well as stimulate communal participation and commerce. Where the housing market is concerned, allow artist to hold exhibits in vacant dwellings, or follow the lead of an Artists' movement in Detroit that's re-claiming entire dilapidated neighborhoods and transforming blight into open air museums. The possibilities are only as limited as the minds of the participants. On my way to Ethiopian International Airport, I hear a storm is brewing that could black out the east coast and cause catastrophic damage to the Tri-State area….great time to start thinking big.
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