MAPLEWOOD, NJ — If there ever was one activity that epitomized Maplewood’s Fourth of July as a communitywide endeavor in the best spirit of Maplewood, it would have to be the art project.
The 2016 iteration of this Fourth of July tradition, the art project spearheaded by John Kaufman will be mounted on the big ballfield backstop in Memorial Park’s South Field. A participatory enterprise on an even bigger scale than last year, each “pixel” is an opportunity for individual expression. People are encouraged to be creative and take liberties with the image. Even allowing the insertion of faces of Maplewoodians who wish to participate and sign the statement. The assembled pixels will form two images plus an actual flag on display — the real flag is part of the visual.
The project attempts to advance an apolitical statement, wanting to make a positive comment regarding the state of the country. With a theme of balance inspired by baseball imagery, you can make a statement and sign on for sense and reason. Kaufman planned it would be about the national pastime; then politics compelled him in the direction of trying to present this project as a petition. As we can see in the news, people have differences of opinion but, in the interest of the greater good, they can find ways to compromise. With enough room for signing below or above, the main image makes the plea for common sense.
To get involved, visit the “Maplewood 4th of July” Facebook page and contact John Kaufman at bjohnk1@gmail.com to pick your pixels.
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Rooting for the middle may not be sexy rousing or passionate but it is Material and Relevant to current political discourse. Consider lending your voice to the Community Art Project/Petition: “Sacrifice Bunt as Metaphor for Compromise in Government” GET INVOLVED, PICK A PIXEL, SIGN THE PETITION ON JULY FOURTH. BE ABOUT SOMETHING