Durham, NC - City of Medicine

Office of Economic & Workforce Development

PUBLIC ART SURVEY

Community Forum For Public Art On Parrish Street

The Cultural Master Plan calls for opportunities to — strengthen the work of artists — increase understanding and education about art — foster economic development — establish a percent for art ordinance through which to select artists and create works of art in public spaces.

Works of public art are developed through a process that identifies community goals for the artist. Public art in a city space has the potential to contribute to how we each experience place and our civic and social relationships. Public art can communicate a broader and deeper sense of meaning – physically and aesthetically - because places that have meaning are more memorable, more desirable for residents, more attractive to visitors, and can leverage more resources. Works of public art add value, promote social interaction, expand community pride, and broaden the civic agenda.

Public art can help Durham commemorate the legacy and spirit of Parrish Street — its innovation, ingenuity, and inclusivity — becoming a place-maker for civic identity.

How we see a place is formed by what that space means to us. Our description of a place often reflects our understandings, beliefs, and values. In other words, our perceptions. We call these elements "perceptions." When we are able to express our perceptions to each other, we are better able to understand what the space means for all of us.

Tell us how you connect with Parrish Street. Help shape the historic and future experience of Parrish Street through public art!

The purpose of this questionnaire is to provide you with tools you can use to describe your perceptions of Downtown Durham.

With this information, we will be able to make critical design decisions about public art on Parrish Street.

Each of us has a mental map that we use to navigate a city space. Mental mapping is an approach to urban planning that was developed by Kevin Lynch in the 1960s to restore the social and interactive function of the street. Different elements suggest different values that we assign when we connect one place to another.

Paths are the channels of movement: walks, streets, alleys, railroad lines, etc.

Edges are places with continuous boundaries between different areas: fences, curbs, walls, freeways, busy streets, etc.

Districts are broad areas connected with a common character: architectural style, heights of buildings, cultural institutions, and similar uses all constitute elements defining a district. District boundaries can and do often overlap.

Nodes are a concentration of activity along a path. A node could be a public square, a street corner hangout, a popular entertainment district, a busy intersection, etc.

Landmarks are physical objects that people use as a reference to determine where they are: tall buildings, signs, storefront windows, sculptures, plazas, etc.

This questionnaire is designed to give you a chance to describe downtown Durham using the vocabulary of mental mapping and the symbols of Paths, Edges, Districts, Nodes, and Landmarks.

Please answer the following questions, which will help you describe your map:

What PATH (channels of movement: walks, streets, alleys, railroad lines, etc.) do you take to and from Parrish Street" Imagine that you are walking the route you are describing; please record or describre what you see, hear, smell, and experience along the way. Please be specfic about the physical elements on your path that guide you to and from Parrish Street.

What do you consider the EDGES (places with continuous boundaries between different areas: fences, curbs, walls, freeways, busy streets, etc.) of Parrish Street?

Are there any NODES (a concentration of activity along a path: a public square, a street corner hangout, a popular entertainment district, a busy intersection, etc) on Parrish Street?

What do you consider LANDMARKS (physical objects that people use as a reference to determine where they are: tall buildings, signs, storefront windows, sculptures, plazas, etc.) on Parrish Street?

What are the first things that come to mind when you hear "Parrish Street?"
(For example, what physical characteristics of the space come to mind, what symbols, what feelings?)

Where are you when you know that you've arrived at Parrish Street?
(For example, what physical elements in the space let you know that you are on Parrish Street? Please be specific.)

Do you have any emotional feelings (happiness, sadness, fear, pride, etc.) about your path to and from Parrish Street?

What physical elements evoke these feelings? Please describe them in as much detail as you wish.

Personal Map of Downtown Durham and Parrish Street
Imagine that a visitor has come to you for a description of downtown Durham. Describe it in the space below. Describe the main features of the area; please be sure to include Parrish Street! This description is not meant to be technically accurate - have fun and be creative!