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cities, collaborative art, public spaces, public transportation

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A Coffee Table at a Bus Stop in Downtown L.A.

Via Good Magazine, designer Julie Kim placed a coffee table at a bus stop in downtown Los Angeles and waited to see what would happen.
From Good Magazine:

"Designer Julie Kim is interested in L.A.'s neglected, forgotten attractions, places like its sidewalks and public transit systems... To show the other side of L.A., Kim placed a coffee table she designed at a bus stop on a busy corner in Koreatown (6th and Vermont, to be exact) and shot video from a far enough distance that people didn't know they were being filmed.

The table—set with a newspaper and a vase of flowers—becomes a hub of interaction for the corner. People not only flock to the table, they end up talking to each other about it. Kim says she was surprised to see so many serendipitous moments in what amounted to only eight minutes of video. "The number and variety of people milling about—workers, kids, the elderly, of every ethnic group—surprised me," she says. "I thought I'd have to shoot for at least an hour to capture anything worthwhile.""
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Comments

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Naomi Rosenthal

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November 28, 2011, 09:44AM
I really like this idea! In addition to chess pieces, a nice add on would be the use of good lighting. Warm lighting could serve to amplify the living room feel of the bus stop. In addition to breaking the ice, the lighting can increase safety at bus stops, something that is particularly important in a city like Detroit.
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Paul Reader's reply to Naomi Rosenthal's comment

Paul Reader

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December 05, 2011, 06:59AM
Possible opportunity to utilise renewable low energy lighting for the purpose too.
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sushmita meka's reply to Naomi Rosenthal's comment

sushmita meka

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December 05, 2011, 02:15PM
Both are great suggestions for making public places safer and more welcoming.
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Anne Kjaer Riechert

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November 27, 2011, 01:04PM
So easy to do - yet so powerful!
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sushmita meka's reply to Naomi Rosenthal's comment

sushmita meka

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November 27, 2011, 01:42PM
Very easy! Another simple concept that I love, and which I have seen in two cities now, is to see chess piece tables (either normal or life size) in public spaces. The interactions that result aren't as spontaneous as with the coffee table, but it is a wonderful way to connect people in an unexpected way.
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Paul Reader's reply to Naomi Rosenthal's comment

Paul Reader

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December 05, 2011, 06:55AM
Very interesting idea - would love to know about the conversational interactions too. Would also love to know comparative outcomes between short and long term application of this. Sushmita/s comment reminds me to check if the large scale chess board constructed in one of Hobart's public parks over 30 years ago is still there.
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sushmita meka's reply to Naomi Rosenthal's comment

sushmita meka

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December 05, 2011, 02:13PM
Definitely! It would be interesting to see if a community of regular players has emerged and what mix of old/new prevails. There are some regular players in Cambridge (Mass), and it's interesting to note that even if the weather prevents them from meeting at the actual outdoor chess tables, they'll plan to meet indoors to continue on as normal.
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Ana Cecilia Santos

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November 27, 2011, 12:08PM
What a super idea. It must have been a very interesting experiment for the artist Julie Kim, to explore the interaction possibilities that happened when she placed this table.

Imagine the different reactions in different countries, with different cultures..! So interesting. It's a great way to meet people waiting for the bus, a place where you normally don't interact with people if your waiting by yourself! Love this, thank u! :)
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sushmita meka's reply to Naomi Rosenthal's comment

sushmita meka

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November 27, 2011, 01:49PM
Agreed, it's such a simple, yet powerful idea. And I love the idea of taking it to other cities or even countries. I'd love to hear of other ideas that focus on public transportation to build community or at least start those conversations.
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Anne-Laure Fayard

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November 19, 2011, 10:11PM
This is great! I love it. It shows how a small detail can suddenly afford interactions - a reason to be. It reminds us how small things matter when it comes to design environments that support interactions.
thanks!
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sushmita meka's reply to Naomi Rosenthal's comment

sushmita meka

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November 20, 2011, 05:01PM
Thank you, and yes, I love design that seeks to generate conversation and interaction within communities. I came across another example recently which I'll add here -- a functional gathering space in Beijing.
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