An Evening of Adjectives

Thanks to all of you who came out to see us at the Hard Bean Cafe last night!

On the way back to Hard Bean after a sensory mapping walk

We did some sensory mapping with several community members, where they are led along on a walk with a blindfold and headphones. 

We also had some drawings done in response to specific prompts:
     * What are you hungry for?
     * Where do you feel safe in Bethlehem?
     * Where do you go to play in Bethlehem?
     * What will Bethlehem look like with a casino?

My favorite activity of the night was asking people “What adjectives would you use to describe Bethlehem?” The answers were remarkable, and all over the map.

Surly. Historic. Familiar. Comfortable. Sexy. 

I’m looking forward to seeing the Tag Cloud for this collection of words. Christian will take a look at how many of the same words were repeated by community members, and will create an image to reflect it (like this). Which word do you think will be the most frequently used?

Keep coming back to the website for updates from the Bethlehem Biopsy project, and find out where we’re going to be next!

Have a great weekend,
Kelly

Sunshine on the South Side

After a day of thunderstorms and pouring down rain, the sun has come out for us here on South Side.

Today is First Friday and we are celebrating by setting up shop at the:

Hard Bean Cafe on 3rd & Webster

(Hard Bean Cafe: New Addition to the Lehigh Valley)

between 6 and 8 p.m.

We invite you to stop by for a latte and take a look at Christian’s work thus far. Take the opportunity to talk with other participants and community members and engage in some other activities related to the project such as drawing, mental mapping and sensory walks.

Hope to see you there!
Kelly

Strolling the North Side

Tonight was my first attempt at biomapping. With a GPS in my left hand, and patented gizmo in my right, I set off to re-explore the North Side of Bethlehem. What did I discover? I’m bothered by uneven sidewalks and traffic, and calmed by quiet residential locations. You might think this is a no-brainer, but if you take a look at the picture of my results, you’ll see that I had two very different experiences.

A walk on the North Side of Bethlehem

Although I was on one continuous walk, I explored two very different sides of Bethlehem. The first half (the large purple spikes) was a brisk stroll on Broad Street, one of the busiest thoroughfares in the city. There was a great deal of traffic and I reacted strongly to the fact that once you leave the business district, the crosswalks disappear! On the back end of my journey (the dark purple lower spikes), I strolled past the Church Street cemetery, kite-flying children and a woman weeding her garden. Some additional peaks at intersections, as well as brief conversations (the poor guy shaking a parking meter) and the sight of graffiti on the cemetery gate.

What an interesting look into my thoughts on this brief section of Bethlehem. Would you believe no one stopped to ask me what I was doing with these two devices in my hands? Not one! I found that I paid more attention to my surroundings than usual, and even found some things I didn’t know existed (Friendship Park?).

Be sure to stop by and see Christian tomorrow night (Friday, April 3) @ the Hard Bean Cafe on 3rd Street in Bethlehem. We’ll be there from 6 to 8 p.m.

Cheers,
Kelly