Title
Resolution to Approve Street Closing of Liberty between State and Maynard for Literature vs Traffic from 7:00 AM on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 until 4:00 AM on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 with a Rain Date of October 30-31, 2018
Memorandum
Attached for your consideration is a resolution to approve the closing of Liberty between State and Maynard for Literature vs Traffic from 7:00 AM on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 until 4:00 AM on Wednesday, October 24, 2018 with a Rain Date of October 30-31, 2018. The actual event will take place from 5:00 P.M. until 11:00 P.M.
The applicant, the University of Michigan Institute for the Humanities provides the following information for your consideration:
The U-M Institute for the Humanities has invited Luzinterruptus, an anonymous art collective based in Spain, to work with university and community groups to create the illuminated book installation "Literature vs. Traffic." The event is part of the institute's 2018-19 theme "Humanities and Environments."
For eight days this fall, dozens of student and community volunteers will work together with the artists in the historic Ruthven Museums Building preparing 10,000 books with lights and batteries for a one-night-only public art installation. The books-most earmarked for recycling-are being donated by individuals, libraries, and local organizations.
The work will culminate on October 23, when traffic will be closed on Liberty Street between State and Maynard-the typically bustling intersection of university and city, arts and culture. For one night, lighted books will "pave" the street, while passersby will be free to walk among the installation at their own pace, choosing books to take home in order to preserve a small piece of this stimulating and interactive work.
"We want literature to take over the streets and conquer public spaces," explained Luzinterruptus, "freely offering those passing by a traffic-free place that, for some hours, will succumb to the humble pow...
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