For today only, Artisphere (1101 Wilson Blvd) has converted two street parking spaces into a small urban oasis of grass and modern designer furniture.
The outdoor installation is Arlington’s entry into Park(ing) Day, “an annual, worldwide event that invites citizens everywhere to transform metered parking spots into temporary parks for the public good.” A sign posted on the sidewalk invites passersby to “relax, hang, be Zen.”
Despite the chilly weather, a few people have taken refuge in the space, which was designed by Apartment Zero, a “multi-disciplinary design and curatorial studio.”
Between 5:00 and 6:30 tonight the dance company Dance Exchange will perform “a site-specific version of their dance work, Hammock” in the space. Find out more information about the performance from our previous article on the event.
Related Posts
- Artisphere Plans Parking Space Party September 14, 2011
- What’s Up With the Back-In Parking Spaces in Courthouse? January 12, 2011
- County, Rosslyn Show Off Soon-to-Open Artisphere October 6, 2010
- New Stickers on Farmer’s Market Parking Meters August 31, 2010
Looks like fun.
Are they subject to the time limit for the spot?
If the spot is marked as 2 hours, you can only park 2 hours even if you feed the meter after the 2 hours pass.
should do it more than once a year
This comment should be flagged for removal. Wow I couldn’t believe someone would think that this is cool.
No need to bring out any chairs. Just make sure you water the grass for the crickets so they will be comfortable. I’m sure “The Crickets” will put on a good musical performance.
did they compensate the County for the lost revenue of the parking space.
ok, i guess that is a funny question given how much lost revenue is already involved with the fArtisphere.
Although it does look kind of cool,,,, i’ll admit.
How ridiculous. Hey, Arlington, you’d need not do this publicity stunt if you actually didn’t take all the green area when developing!
It’s not a publicity stunt. And by ARlington development, I’m guessing you mean libraries, schools and fire departments? Cause otherwise, it ain’t the county doing the developing…..
I love this idea. What if we had less cars and more parks. If only Metro worked and more people used bikes.
Perform “a site-specific version of their dance work, Hammock” Seriously? … who comes up with this cr@p?!
I am shaking my head over this. Typical Arlington silliness. I am wondering, like others, who paid for the parking places (or did they?), and also, how many frustrated people there were driving around, unable to find a parking space today because of this inane use of parking spaces. I’m beginning to believe I live in a circus.
Yes, I too am distraught just thinking about all the frustrated people driving their cars around Rosslyn because all of TWO precious parking spaces have been converted into green space for a day. May 9/16/2011 be forever remembered as the day Arlington callously interfered with drivers’ inalienable right to a convenient parking space. Never Forget.
This may be a silly installation but it’s not nearly as silly as people who are concerned about two parking spaces disappearing for a single day. Boo f’ing hoo.
+1
Won’t someone please think of the CHILDREN?!!!
9/16. Never forget.
I think I’m gonna have some shirts printed up. Maybe a couple of green ribbon bumper stickers too.
Sorry, green’s been taken. As have all of the primary, end even secondary, colors. I think we’re up to mauve, or maybe puce, or perhaps ecru. One of those colors that only women know.
It’s not Arlington’s idea. Been going on around the country for a couple of years now…..Actually, NYC has one of the most elaborate – closing down Times Square to all vehicular traffic….
I find the vitriolic reactions here absolutely perplexing.
Vitriolic? I don’t see anything here that earns that label. I just see people’s opinions, frankly expressed.
Lighten up, people.
“relax, hang, be Zen” … I feel like I’m back in 1968.
but you wouldn’t have been sitting in THAT street at THAT location in 1968. You’ve come a long way baby…
Is that a sidewalk sign I see?
+1
Looks like these people are about to get smashed by an Audi
… or run over by a food truck! Looks like dining dangerously to me.
Artisphere is trying to do something unique and creative….why not give them a chance to prove it? everyone has to start somewhere…no new venture starts out with an enormous splash…starting a little slow does not diminish the importance of their efforts.
Again, not unique. Creative? Perhaps. Worthwhile? Yes, I think so. As with many things, it depends on the implementation.
Considering the way people are driving these days, I would not consider for a minute to eat by the curb, beside al the smog/ fumes from vehicles.
lame
I found out that no money was spent on the parking day event, as all the participants donated their time, all the furniture, the grass, etc….so the only money “lost” was one day of two parking meters in a city of thousands of meters….no big deal
Idiotic. Artisphere is sucking the Arlington County coffers dry. Time to stop throwing good money after bad and realie it is just unnecessary, unwanted and way, way underutilized.
I was just commenting on Parking Day and not on Artisphere in general…the comments are so enraged here…so much passion!