NET

TITLE: net
YEAR: 2013
LOCATION: Lima, Peru
DURATION: 1 day
BUDGET: 100 euro

FOCUS:
- breaking patterns of thinking about public space
- forming a temporary collective body

POSITION: organizer,

DURATION:afternoon

PROCESS: participatory

EXECUTION:
collective work

RESULT:
- temporary autonomous space
- spontaneous participation in exhibition

Society in Lima is very hierarchical and still scarred by the colonial background. Everyone knows who is whiter or blacker than you are, who is higher on the social ladder. The concepts togetherness, belonging, commonality are problematic.
* The Net is a perfect tool to give the sensation of a collective body. This body can conquer public space with an instant joint work. The net is the flexible counterpart of the ubiquitous fences.

In general, the Limanese person is very well behaved in public space. Not a loud talker, not a laugher. Also not a smoker. One is careful, very alert to thieves or robbers. Everything is protected with bars. But it is also polite to be demure.

The net is made of elastic bands and very versatile. Creating is super simple but also a very enjoyable little task. We start small and invite passersby to help with joining only a handful of elastic bands. That works. Many people remain. When the elastics are finished the net is cautiously researched and tried out.

Then they play together and even catch a taxi. That is something unheard of. A car in Lima is a sacred object. Superior to a human being almost. Besides that: you do not see anyone doing anything crazy in the street. Or do something together. The reaction was surprise and shock: Is this allowed. Can we do this?