For my site specific outdoor installation I chose to highlight social rights activists by creating a replicated podium that was used by Martin Luther King Jr at his most know "I have a dream" speech. I placed a bluetooth speaker with an audio track on loop of a an expert of MLK's I have a dream speech and an audio recording of MLK speaking to the owner of the lodge restaurant in St. Augustine. Where MLK held a peaceful protest in response to segregation in restaurants and was later arrested for his action of protesting. On top of the podium i placed a printed excerpt from part of the I had a dream speech ... and ... which i felt are very powerful statements when thinking about the time the words were said. I then chose the site of the Fredrick Douglas Memorial on St. George Street in St. Augustine Florida. The day this took place was on the First Friday Art Walk so St. George street was packed. I set my podium up and sat half a block away while watching people interact and observe the piece. An hour and fifteen minutes into the piece being up, two police officers showed up. I was sitting further away so i played it low key and waited to see what they would do. They realized i was involved because of my book bag and camera bag as well as talking with the person they had just questioned wether it was theirs or not. They told me there is nothing allowed to be set up on St. George street so i said i would take it down. I asked if i could take a few pictures and they said yes. I took some pictures then left with my podium.
Materials: MDF, White Paint, nails, wood glue, Led light, bluetooth speaker
Size: ~ 4.8" tall, 3' wide
I then decided to take the podium to a location in Lincolnville, St. Augustine where MLK stayed, on King St.
RESEARCH: Source; St. Augustine Historic Society
Research began in Free masonry and secret societies, changing to social rights and events taking place in St Augustine
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