Frost Park Chalk Off! (18. April 2008, 09:28 by Erik) ~ Let's get ready to rumble!
Warring chalk artists will descend on Frost Park (that’s the one at 9th and Commerce, FYI) today at noon. Artist RR Anderson, generally credited as the first artist to bring chalk to Frost Park, will be competing again. Last week he was upstaged by Andrea Trenbeath Lowen. We expect at least another artist or two to compete.
Erik B, the Tacoma Urbanist, has offered a prize of two tickets to the Howard Kunstler on April 23.
We’re really not sure what this is going to be like … but lunchtime artist competitions seems like exactly what this city could use more of. Perhaps the Chalk Off will get so big it has to be moved. Anyone know of a large underutilized patch of concrete?
Commenting Is Closed
Comments are allowed for two weeks from the posted date. If you want to make a comment or reopen this discussion, please contact us with your request. Thank you for visiting.
My biggest fear is the weather. Looks good so far. I’m not sure what our artists will do if the gods decide to rain on our chalk challenge.
Perhaps russel can donate some tax shelters.
1 | Posted by RR Anderson | Apr 18, 09:40 AM
I’ve been praying to Odin today, we’ll see if it goes well.
2 | Posted by tacomagnome | Apr 18, 10:31 AM
Hey TacomaGnome, shouldn’t you be praying to Frejya? Odin is so Wednesday...
5 | Posted by jamie from thriceallamerican | Apr 18, 11:00 AM
Also ARTISTS: I’m going to use my contacts at The Stranger to get your sidewalk chalk entries reviewed in another Jen Graves’s Stranger Podcast.
Should be good exposure for you!
6 | Posted by RR Anderson | Apr 18, 11:06 AM
“Also ARTISTS: I’m going to use my contacts at The Stranger to get your sidewalk chalk entries reviewed in another Jen Graves’s Stranger Podcast.”
Wouldn’t the Volcano be more appropriate?
7 | Posted by CA | Apr 18, 11:56 AM
168 hours ago a gauntlet was cast upon the cold, dead concrete challenging “artists” to arise in Downtown’s own LARRY FROST MEMORIAL PARK CHALK CHALLENGE.
For artists, this is your chance to literally draw upon the publicly funded resources of the City—Literally the City of Tacoma itself is your canvas.
The Tacoma Urbanist has some great cellphone pics up already
also nice work Lance of Beautiful Angel (mr. headstart)
9 | Posted by RR Anderson | Apr 18, 01:22 PM
Looks like fun. If only you can work a keg of beer into the party, and I’m there!
10 | Posted by CA | Apr 18, 01:43 PM
Thank you for the fun. I don’t think there was any work worthy of a prize. especially mine. but practice makes perfect. Maybe I’ll try again next week.
Nice to meet you RR you are certainly more bark than bite.
Look forward to getting to know you better.
12 | Posted by Lance Kagey | Apr 18, 07:17 PM
On a close vote of 7 – 5, RR Anderson’s “Tagro” prevailed over Lance Kagey’s “Warhol” giving him the title of “BEST ILLUSTRATOR IN THE UNIVERSE OF TACOMA” for the next week.
Thank you for the fun. I don’t think there was any work worthy of a prize. especially mine. but practice makes perfect. Maybe I’ll try again next week.
Thanks for coming Lance. You almost won. So close.
Anybody else catch Whitney Rhodes on KUPS The Melon 5? She couldn’t stop talking about the Chalk Challenge. I think the interviewer was getting frustrated.
14 | Posted by RR Anderson | Apr 19, 07:52 PM
Its Friday again (4/25)
Time for another Frost Park Chalk Off Challenge at Frost Park 9th and Pacific Ave.
This week’s prize for first place is a coupon for a free large pizza from Puget Sound Pizza.
See everyone there.
Riddle me this: How come, if a bunch of teens hang out in a park and mark up public property with sharpies and paint, they’re “hoodlums vandalizing public property” but if a bunch of hipsters and bloggers do the same thing with chalk its “community involvement and art?”
Quit blocking my sidewalk and scribbling on public property. At least the sidewalk ‘art’ washes off. I see Kagey continues his blatant disregard for others by insisting on scribbling on vertical surfaces that have to be cleaned, at public (or BIA) expense. Slightly better than pasting stuff on public utility boxes and other public property, but not much.
You want to ‘be a presence?’ Go to Frost Park after 9 p.m. And leave your chalk at home.
16 | Posted by bob | Apr 25, 06:59 AM
Sounds like Bob thought he should have won last week.
I hear Mary Poppins will be there this week.
Whoa to the hapless, massively inconvenienced pedestrian, who fails to step around Mary’s work and transports to another realm.
Serioulsy though, somone could fall in.
I hear Mary Poppin’s handle on Exit 133 is happy_face. Refuses to use green chalk.
17 | Posted by altered chords | Apr 25, 08:54 AM
bob’s just mad because he sucks at drawing and has no possibility of winning a free pizza.
Sorry Bob. You could always choke down a cucumber… it might make you feel better.
19 | Posted by RR Anderson | Apr 25, 09:00 AM
man it was a beautiful 1 hour. all our artists kicked ass… the little ones entertained themselves with bubbles. The grown ups had fun dreaming of Puget Sound Pizza.
20 | Posted by RR Anderson | Apr 25, 01:35 PM
@ 19
Chalk art thingy is a cool art-like amateur recreational activity for post-adolescents who think they are really hip but, believe it or not, not everyone has to think so.
There really is no need to insult anyone who dares to express a contrary voice to your little egotopia.
Sometimes you hit and sometimes you miss but most times you come off like a self-indulgent little prig who thinks he is clever by constantly demanding attention from people who don’t share your little world.
21 | Posted by beerBoy | Apr 27, 07:24 AM
Beerboy, your reality sir is lies and balderdash which i’m happy to report I have no grasp of whatsoever.
I’m not a hero. I’m not a hipser. I’m not one of the “cool gang” I’m just a normal guy with very meek resources. I created an electrifying movement which thrusts a shard of hope to the blackened hearts of the downtrodden.
I recommend trying to create something sir. It is much more rewarding than sitting on your hands—an activity of which I’m sure my enemies are fond.
also, If we criminalize chalk art then only the criminals will have chalk.
22 | Posted by RR Anderson | Apr 28, 09:42 AM
RR you assume something about me out of ignorance. My pseudonym is not my net sum. I hope you too are more than the persona you have created. However, your cucumber references (were you the one who made the Dar/cucumber poster?) demonstrate a puerile pubescent humor.
I did give you credit for the chalk thing – it is a cool ongoing event and I hope it continues – but you oftentimes demonstrate the snotty attitude of a highschooler when someone complains about your pranks on the listserve.
I have appreciated other ruses you have pulled in the past but some have fallen flat and others are just annoying. I suppose it isn’t fair to blame you for the chatter that appears after you post but it does get tiresome and, since you are the catalyst for the internet noise, the finger (or would you prefer “the cucumber”?) gets pointed at you.
23 | Posted by beerBoy | Apr 28, 07:20 PM
Beerboy… with respect to that awful dar cucumber prank, I am just as much a victim as anyone. Thanks for reminding me of those painful times.
Also I was not literally suggesting Bob choke himself with a vegetable phallus just because he lashed out against a playful lunchtime activity.
No sir, our friend bob sounded like an happy person. In fact it sounded an awful lot like a call for help.
Bob – Talk to your doctor and ask if Fellatio™ is right for you.
24 | Posted by RR Anderson | Apr 28, 08:33 PM
bob sounded like an UNHAPPY person
yiesh, you’d think republican-by-default was editing my comments again!
25 | Posted by RR Anderson | Apr 28, 08:40 PM
RR,
Your responses to beerBoy and me, instead of being “edgy,” and “artist struggling against the man” inspiring, simply reinforce my point. Which, since you missed or choose to ignore it, I’ll repeat.
Your right to gather, scribble, and express yourself does not override the rest of the community’s right to walk on that public way, paid for by public tax dollars.
Your right to ‘create’ does not give you the right to use public space, paid for by tax dollars, that requires the use of those dollars to clean up. Instead, it creates more of a tax burden on your follow citizens for the clean up, thereby rendering less able, even if they were willing, to buy your art.
As for me? I’d have to say I’m pretty happy. Creative, not so much any more, tho I used to be a competent musician in my younger days. Now, I spend my time fulfilling the all-important “consumer of art” role.
CityArts had a decent series recently about graffiti as art vs. vandalism. Mostly balanced and accurate. You might want to consider that, instead of resorting to personal attacks.
26 | Posted by bob | Apr 29, 12:03 AM
bob
whether I am or am not aware of your point does not give you any strategic advantage in this matter.
Your lousy tax dollars happen also to be pooled with my blessed tax dollars. I am simply getting to decide how my tax dollars are spent.
You may not be aware of this being an ignoramus, but chalk helps loosen pigeon poop and expended condoms from being crusted on concrete, therefore my chalk art is helping to make the BIA’s job a tiny bit easier. Extended lubrication to the street sweeper brushes.
Nobody is impeding your right to walk on the sidewalk. In fact as stated in my official revised edition rule book it is considered good luck when pedestrians step on our drawings. That’s called RESULTS ORIENTED ART baby!
Maybe if I shielded my cowardice with appeals for civil arguments I too would lament those ancient days of creativity long gone. Yet I digress.
We’re here. We’re Chalky. There is nothing anyone can do about it. Deal with it.
- RR Anderson, Chalk Champion NO. 2
(p.s. beerboy loves me more than you)
27 | Posted by RR Anderson | Apr 29, 01:05 AM
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS 4 BOB:
1. if you encounter a crowded sidewalk and you wish to avoid all human contact with a creative person you are free to use the god damn larry frost park memorial stairs built with tax payer money, unimpeded.
2. email your city council representative and alert them to the fact citizens are happily playing with chalk on the sidewalk, and express to them how sad this makes you feel.
3. maybe grab some chalk and join us. Re-connect with that free spirit you had starved to death all those years ago… before the ‘hard times’ before the soul was sucked out of your forehead by the octopus. You’ll know what it is to be alive again… you’ll know what it is to be an American.
28 | Posted by RR Anderson | Apr 29, 01:26 AM
@ 28 RE: “You’ll know what it is to be alive again… you’ll know what it is to be an American.”
Surely you jest sir! To be a True American is to have your free spirit starved by having your soul sucked out by all those years of giving little bits of it away in pursuit of the American Dream and obesience to that great God of the Free Market.
It is with good reason that artist types that don’t do corporate couch decorative panels are called Bohemian – because they aren’t True Americans and should denounce their citizenship and move to the Czech Republic and drink lots of Pils while crying Kundera’s two tears of kitsch.
29 | Posted by beerBoy | Apr 29, 07:04 AM
beerboy, bob, & RR Anderson are all cube mates in a massive cube farm in a large call center. They wear headsets all day and make up ways they can amuse themselves and try and create a false impression to the rest of the blogosphere world, er, I mean Exit 133 world. Wake up readers, you’ve been duped!
30 | Posted by happy_face | Apr 29, 08:25 AM
I’d like to help here.
Beerboy: what instrument did you play?
31 | Posted by altered chords | Apr 29, 08:37 AM
There is a chance that I am debating a sock puppet of my own design. Oh yes. There is also evidence that I myself am a sock puppet. Nobody knows.
If you laugh long enough into the void, the void laughs back.
32 | Posted by RR Anderson | Apr 29, 08:56 AM
Commenting is closed for this article.
