Micro/Macro

Perhaps I am just contrary. When I present proposals to a public art panel, inevitably the question arises “How do you propose to make your work skateboard proof?” Grinding is an apt description of how riding the edge chews down curbs, railings, benches and exposed parts of the urban infrastructure. That wear fascinates me. I don’t expect nor want things to last forever, even my own work. Human wear is formative entropy; a process of reforming that resembles carving. The layering of grinds, the passing of each individual is preserved on this spot through collective, unconscious mark marking to become a canvas of micro recordings.

The macro picture is quite different. We have laws in most municipalities restricting where, even whether skateboarding is allowed. The irony is obvious. We should all be skateboarding! As a mode of transportation everything recommends it – it promotes exercise, it is green, and it is cheap and portable to begin the list. When will it join snowboarding as an Olympic sport?

CITY OF MILWAUKEE

City Charter and Code of Ordinances

CHAPTER 105

PUBLIC SAFETY

105-19. Roller Skates, In-line Roller Skates and

Skateboards Restricted. 1. RESTRICTIONS.

No person may ride or otherwise use roller skates,

in-line roller skates or skateboards upon public

sidewalks in the following areas:

a. The area generally bounded on the

north by State Street, south by Polk Street, east by

the west side of North Harbor Drive and the west

side of Lincoln Memorial Drive and west by

Interstate 43, including all of the O'Donnell Park

facility.

b. The area generally bounded by

Downer Avenue between East Park Place on the

north and East Webster Place on the south.

c. The area generally bounded by West

Mitchell Street between South 5 Street on the east

and South 16 Street on the west, including the

green market.

d. Those public sidewalks adjacent to

Milwaukee public library facilities and upon any

Milwaukee public library parking lot.

e. The area generally bounded by East

Brady Street between North Van Buren Street on

the west and North Prospect Avenue on the east.

f. The area generally bounded by

North Oakland Avenue between East Newberry

Boulevard on the south and East Linnwood

Avenue on the north.

g. The area generally bounded on the

north by East Greenwich Avenue, south by East

Kenilworth Place, east by North Prospect Avenue

and west by North Oakland Avenue.

h. The area designated as North and South

RiverWalk Way.

2. PENALTIES. Any person violating

this section shall be subject to a forfeiture of not

more than $25.