3772: Yellow Brick Road
Exploring the space between those who are housed and those who are experiencing homelessness formed the beginning of my journey in Seattle's Pioneer Square neighborhood. What are the dynamics? How does someone become homeless and more importantly how does someone find a permanent home? As I walk the neighborhood, the striking contrasts in the human landscape are palpable.
Each January in Seattle, there is a task force of community members who count, between the hours of 2-5am, the number of people sleeping out in the open, unsheltered (other conditions are also collected). Aptly named the "One Night Count", in January 2015, the number sleeping unsheltered was 3772, a striking 21% higher than the previous year.
This temporary site specific installation entitled, 3772: Yellow Brick Road, represents the 2015 count through 3772 paper plates lining an alley. Using an alley in Pioneer Square as the site, located between 2nd and 3rd Avenues South, beginning at Yesler Way at the North end, the installation will run South towards South Washington. The voices heard in the installation are of brave men and women who have survived misfortune and generously shared their stories of homelessness with me to help form this experiential installation.