For Scottsdale Public Art’s 2017 Creative Residency, local artist  Christopher Jagmin presents Safe and Sound: a series of social practice projects that create a “safe community space” where visitors may share their hopes, fears and individual histories without judgment. Each week, Jagmin will offer a new one-on-one or community-connected project for the public to interact with. The exchanges among participants will include shared walks to connect with the Scottsdale community and projects using “old-fashioned” technology (typewriters and vintage label makers) to spell out fears and desires.

After the residency, Jagmin will collect all the information and community conversations gathered over the two months to make a series of unique art installations. The resulting artwork will be a part of Scottsdale Public Art’s group exhibit, Interactions through Art: Scottsdale Artists in Residence at the Gallery @ the Library, Scottsdale Civic Center, Jan. 25–March 30, 2018.

Projects and Events:

Sept. 7, 2:30-7 p.m.  History Project: Making a personal, emotional, monument sign.
Historical plaques are small story-telling signs that dot the landscape with happy, sad, or thrilling stories of known and forgotten heroes and villains, marking the moment at that specific location. These signs are the basis for Jagmin’s History Project which began in 2014. He memorializes important and not so important times and experiences in his life, or overheard conversations and stories from other’s personal experiences. The signs are then placed at the locations where these moments actually occurred. “I would like to invite people from the community to participate in this project. So, I will ask participants to remember a specific place (in Scottsdale) other than their home, where they had a profound, sad, joyful, or memorable experience. They would write their story and I will GPS these locations on a large map (at the Scottsdale Livery, and documented later on a website) with colored pushpins to designate the emotion. This map of Scottsdale would show an emotional and alternate historical perspective of the city.” -Jagmin.

Sept. 14, 5-7:30 p.m. History Project with Museum of Walking
Meet at the Scottsdale Livery between 5 and 6:15 p.m. for a self-guided walk around Scottsdale followed by short discussion at 6:30 as a group. Jagmin will document and map the information gathered. Participants are welcome to stay and continue the discussion and/or make a historical sign to commemorate their new-found discoveries.

Sept 28, 2:30-7 p.m. I Am Something: Redefining self with a Dymo label maker.
Words matter. Often times we let other people define us, and their words have an effect that changes how we feel about ourselves. Jagmin wants to find a way for us to make our own rules. “Using only an old-fashioned label maker I will invite community members to type the words that they want to define them… I am strong… I can make a difference… I am somebody. With these labels, I will make a large piece combining all of these affirmations to make a statement about the humanity in our community”. -Jagmin

Oct. 5, 2:30-7 p.m. Phobophobia: Fears conquered with a typewriter.
It is scary out there. We all have fears, and unless they are tackled head on, these fears may haunt us or stop us from taking risks or moving forward in life.
Jagmin will place an old-fashion typewriter in the room and ask people to type out fears they may have. The typewritten pages will show the participant that they are not alone, and may offer some comfort. “Sometimes it is cathartic to think about our fears, and may even heal to write them out and face them. I don’t promise any less fear with this project, but I know that I have become braver after seeing my fears on paper. After this residency is completed (and during the process), I will combine them together for a large piece showing how our fears seem bigger than they truly are”. -Jagmin

Oct. 12, 2:30-7 p.m.– I See You: Look into each other’s eyes and hold hands.
The glowing screen of a cell phone offers a comforting space in our modern world. We direct our eyes to an intimate object, but have a harder time making eye contact with a stranger. With this experiment Jagmin will ask strangers to hold hands for three minutes, and then ask the same couple to make eye contact for a five minutes. “I am looking for a physical connection that is rare to find these days. This probably will be the most challenging of the projects, but possibly the most rewarding.” -Jagmin.

Oct. 19, 2:30-9 p.m. – Your Secret is Safe With Me: Trading secrets with each other.
First initiated at Canal Convergence 2016, this project explores the secrets that consume us. Strangers are asked to write and exchange secrets that they might be holding on to. Passing the secrets along might just release a long-held burden. Jagmin will be at the Scottsdale Livery from 2:30-6 p.m., and will then move the project to Tilt Gallery, 7077 E Main St #14, Scottsdale, AZ 85251, from 7-9 p.m.

Oct. 26, 2:30-7 p.m. – P.S. Thank You: Thank you cards for kindness.
During our busy lives we often forget to give special thanks to the nice people we meet during a day. Maybe a friend pays for your coffee, a cashier at your favorite store gives you special service, or an office-mate brings you the last donut from the kitchen. This simple project asks participants to send out (or give in person) printed certificates (anonymously) to honor a person for an act of kindness or selflessness. Jagmin’s hope is that both the participant and receiver of this gift pass on another nice moment.

Every Tuesday and Friday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. during the residency, Jagmin will hold open studio time for anyone who wants to learn more about Safe and Sound and the art of social practice. All events will take place at the Scottsdale Livery, 3804 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale, AZ 85251, unless otherwise noted.

Christopher Jagmin is a graduate of the School of Fine Arts at Indiana University Bloomington. He has exhibited his work at the Mesa Contemporary Art Museum, the Arizona Biennial in Tucson, the Eye Lounge Gallery in Phoenix and in the mayor’s office at Phoenix City Hall. His first commissioned social practice installation, Your Secret is Safe With Me, was presented at Scottsdale Public Art’s interactive art event Canal Convergence Water + Art + Light. Jagmin is a recipient of the 2017 Contemporary Forum Artist Grant, and in November Jagmin will be showing his work at Chartreuse Gallery in Phoenix, and the Mesa Community College Art Gallery.