Before and After -- The Transformation of Ballard Ave

Every Sunday a transformation occurs on a block long historical district in the heart of Ballard. Empty street becomes commercial space. Sidewalks blossom with supplies and then shoppers. There is commotion, activity, sensory stimulation all experienced differently by visitors and vendors. Just as Christian Norberg-Schultz suggested in his article "The Phenomenon of Place", the very character of the space, it's atmosphere, can change with the time of day, light or season -- the farmer's market brings a drastic change to the identity of this particular geographic location. It is imbued with new meaning for the community. The very cyclical nature of the transformation implies that space is not static. As Doreen Massey commented in her "Philosophy and the Politics of Spatiality", it is "always in the process of becoming; it is always being made." I've purposely not labeled the slideshow pictures so that any viewer can read based on their own personal lens the transformation of the location. My interpretation is a series of shots comparing concrete physical locations before and then during the setup of the market. This plays very much into Mark Curran's idea of space as ephemeral. I wish I could capture the imagery and background sounds like the media creators did for www.theplaceswelive.com, however, unlike that documentation I want to insert my own subject position. In the picture showing the brick walls and gravel lot I've played with the idea of subjectivity wherein I've literally inserted myself (via my shadow) into the environment. In the places we live project, I imagine the distance was necessary when dealing with tragic situations such as the family in Venezuela who couldn't leave their home for fear of violent reprisal.

OBSERVATIONS and MY THOUGHTS...A block long urban environment with historical buildings on either side. A cold gray strip of asphalt, concrete sidewalks, structures house businesses with features out of stone, brick and wood. Trees are planted in a line on the sidewalk, their bare branches testament to the current season. Both of my visits to the environment brought back a flood of memories for me like a sudden flash of connection from my senses. In this space I've experienced dinners with friends, Christmas present shopping, late nights at the bars with out-of-town guests and, of course, my own farmer's market trips. My first time of observation was on a Wednesday night (1/11) and the environment was fairly sparse and open. Most people utilizing the space were within the businesses. My follow up visit for comparison was on Sunday (1/15) when I chose to investigate the transformation of the space as the vendors were setting up. Now two signs, "Ballard Farmer's Market", create literal boundaries for the space (you can view an example in the picture slide show). They tell any observer that this place is designated for a special purpose. The street has now been closed to auto traffic except for those vehicles dropping off goods for the vendors. One side of the street has sprouted white temporary tents all creating their own little environment filled with tables, multi-colored table clothes, crates, coolers, boxes, vegetables, soap, fruit, pies, cheese, produce etc. Every booth is stacking, organizing and creatively evolving their precise corner of the street. Like the "Out My Window" project each similarly structured space has a different story to tell and sensory experience to offer. In the doorway of one business an older man with a beard sits bundled against the cold getting ready to sell his newspapers. It makes you wonder about his particular life story -- maybe he loves music and tradition like Amchok in Toronto or maybe he has lived through horror stories like the family in Johannesburg. An Information booth has been set up with stacks of paper, supplies and details at the south end of the street. I feel a bit like an interloper amongst the hub of ongoing activity so I introduce myself to Loretta at the booth. I relax a little bit and take in more details. Across the expanse of street the supply vehicles line up -- vans and pickup trucks, loading and unloading. In an open gravel lot, ringed by brick walls a lone vendor for Veraci Pizza has set up his mobile wood burning oven. It is a perfect example of how the distinction between inside and outside is blurred here. At another booth for perishables, whole cold cases have been set up. The sensory experience of the space is incredible, comparable to a medieval fair. At one point music begins blaring from unseen speakers adding a festive mood. Many workers hum and sing to themselves; the occasional seagull calls from above. The smell of wood smoke, cooking food and an earthy scent of vegetables mingle into a joyful melange. It is a hive of activity that builds as we get closer to opening. I can't help but be caught up in the exciting anticipation of the event, especially as it begins to snow. The vendors worry or laugh and finalize their displays -- the show must go on.