STUNNING! worth every hoop one must jump through.. to us! (sandra! & robert!)
BREEZE of INNOVATION -don't remember how i first came across it; but i remember my initial reactions: STUNNING! -research; research; read... and just gets better and better! gorgeous, magical lights, a stage for bands [and just as the headframes make the most awesome stages for bands performing at the montana folk festival.. a stage/concerts on this in San Jose, CA!!] -cafes.. views! as you walk up and along and around.. do take a look on youtube..
and i remember thinking/writing: but San Jose is not currently ready for; or worthy of.. -because, based on what we've been seeing; until SJ/SCC address the issues of encampments, graffiti.. until they can reduce crime and increase safety and cleanliness..
this GORGEOUS, STUNNING, AWESOME sculpture would last around... less than 24 hours. that's was my guess
****
fast-forward, to when robert & i met directly, and in person, with Steve Borkenhagen, Exec Dir, of Urban Confluence, and this project! -lots to read about regarding the origins; the design competition..
read more if inspired; i'm going to let you join us at Voyager Coffee, San Pedro Square, in Downtown San Jose, during our conversation with Steve
us to steve: When we were leading the NOTonNOBLE protest, we had discussed amongst ourselves at that time.. wow! like how much energy it was taking.. the 80+ hour weeks we were putting in.. how taxing on every level.. but we fought, fought, fought.. and thought, -how wonderful it would be, if we could be using this time and energy toward something good and beautiful, vs. fighting evil, -know what we mean? Breeze of Innovation is something we can be FOR; we can fight for... it's an answered prayer for us.. we love it and want to learn more..
and of course, we shared our concerns about san jose being ready, clean enough, safe enough for something so magnificent -very concerned about anyone spending that much time, money, effort etc. for something that wasnt going to be properly valued; appreciated; -protected-
and that's when he educated us
steve to us: do you understand about what a conservancy is? (does?)
-and we did not.
he went on to explain, that let's say breeze of innovation is successfully built on plaza de cesar chavez.. which is in downtown and is surrounded by hotels, businesses, restaurants, -these surrounding entities have a vested interest in protecting the landmark sculpture for all their guests...
and, in my own words, now, what i understood immediately is this: oh! SJPD will not be responsible for protecting, cleaning, maintaining.. SJPD won't be responsible for catching/preventing graffiti and vandalism in general -because they are already overwhelmed..
so as long you have -several- entities, each with their own funds and human resources dedicated toward protecting.. well, now it stands a real chance!
-and once it was clear to me, to us; that breeze of innovation has a real chance, 1. to exist at all, and 2. to be protected and enjoyed by the masses thank you to a strong conservancy
lets do this thing! it cant happen fast enough!
and our conversation had a longer depth; and wider spectrum of topics, but.. i want to stay focused on breeze of innovation; and.. conservancy.. which i realized, is what our sacred perc ponds have in a kind of natural and organic way.. i mean, thank God, we do have parks & rec, and the valley water who have a vested interest in protecting; but.. there are a whole lotta neighbors; everyday people who enjoy the perc ponds.. and without being paid to do it; or asked to do it; or recognized for it
-we have a vested interest in keeping our sacred perc ponds; sacred. free from graffiti, garbage, etc. and there are so many unsung heros, who, when walking through.. pick up garbage/trash/litter... who cover up/remove graffiti -our vested interest is in getting to continue to enjoy, walk, bike, hike, bird watch, explore, fish, picnic.. safely in a clean, cared for landscape... and for our kids; and our grandkids to enjoy the same. and it is a sad story that we need so many everyday individuals PLUS city/park/county services to do this work on an ongoing basis; but we feel and honor that responsibility -and dream of the day when a caught n' consequences task force helps prevent the park property destruction/vandalism in the first place.
and you know what i would do given the chance: 1. clean it up 2. public apology 3. write an essay why this is wrong, and why you will not do it again -and if you do get caught a 2nd time; straight to jail write after you 1. clean it up 2. apologize publicly 3. write an essay why it is wrong and why you will never do it again
anyway..
now let's talk location. you can research that breeze of innovations location has already moved a couple times for a variety of reasons..
the current vision for the location is plaza de cesar chavez, and let's just say an early "happy birthday to.." -because march 31st is..
from the picture this looks good... it is in downtown... it is surrounded by businesses with a vested interest in its protection.. all good really; it would bring more attention to; awareness of cesar chavez..
but why does downtown get all the cool stuff? why not BEAUTIFUL BERRYESSA!.. we want our own sonic runway, and we would LOVE to have BREEZE of INNOVATION.. as you can see by our collective and ongoing efforts to keep our sacred perc ponds; sacred -we already have a track record of caring for, valuing, appreciating, protecting..
pause. daydream.. entourage, pride n joy, masses of people (just like barones/fortino) -slightly intoxicated happy dancing people at this live concert at the most stunning venue of all venues in the world!
play: what is it about lights? they are just so magical. they transform and elevate and enchant everywhere you find them... Christmas trees, boutiques, Disney's electric light parade, the water/light/music magic.. -when we light up our yard art.. when they twinkle as decor in restaurants.. when lights are strung along a walkway; when they accessorize an arch, an entry, a patio
when they are white; when they are a variety of colors, when they blink in different patterns.. when they dance with music.. the best!
they just consistently make magic. -speaking of.. those (14) historic headframes from the copper mine heydays in butte montana.. -someone(s) very intelligent spearheaded having them decorated in lights.. this just immediately elevated their appearance at night, making them beautiful and visible from long distances; and elevated their status as the historic icons they are
back to San Jose, and Breeze of Innovation.. plaza de cesar chavez is just too small from our point of view.. a couple acres. if breeze of innovation looks in the real world, as i see it in my imagination based on the youtube, and online pictures..
it needs and deserves MANY ACRES.. to really be all that it can and should be; to properly handle the local people/tourist traffic
so, on my own.. i started looking at alternative locations for this best venue of all venues in the world.. this breeze of innovation... this stunning, magical place to visit, hang out and enjoy
...for live bands... for picnics, romantic strolls up to inspiring views... cafes... restaurants... weddings, special events.. small business boutique shopping.. -of course the lights in the rods.. they will need to be able to change color! -wonder what it looks like, by day.. when the lights arent lit..
anyway.. plaza de cesar chavez; too small... beautiful berryessa..; not to be ruled out... but where else? where else?
and it came to my mind.. where else in san jose do they already have a track record of valuing, protecting, appreciating, maintaining beautiful things? where else in san jose, is it, ALREADY, clean and safe and pleasurable to visit, shop, enjoy live music, a pretty landscape, decorations
and, it is the 10th largest city in the nation, and i don't believe i've visited every single area... (although during NOTonNOBLE we did go to just about every. single. park. and. elementary school.)
but..
"of course! Santana Row!" -Valley Fair Mall.. gorgeous, clean, safe, pleasure to shop at; easy to bring guests/visitors and feel good about.. Santana Row.. with their beautiful hanging baskets of flowers.. pretty, pretty landscapes.. fancy stores.. wonderful variety of restaurants.. impressively convenient parking.. without realizing it, -before our conversation with Steve Borkenhagen..
well, obviously, Santana Row has a strong conservancy! this area is well taken care of; consistently
so, ... i started looking at maps of the area.. -and i think.. across the way from...
and its been one of my fascinations my entire life; having lived in over 30 different neighborhoods in the bay area
how culturally different (safe and clean to dangerous and littered), how sometimes just one or two blocks can make all the difference.. -why some bad neighborhoods spread and grow and keep claiming more territory
but here, don't we have a chance to take a great area, and let the great spread and grow and claim more territory..
yes.
and only very briefly before i close: WAIT, WAIT! how can i close without mentioning THE BEST SURPRISE from our meeting with Steve Borkenhagen -somewhere during the conversation, he brought up to us MY IDEA FOR LIGHTING UP SAN JOSE! -to my knowledge; no one knows about or cares; despite my sending personal letters to over 100 churches here in san jose. NOT ONE church responded at all -at all- my letters (to churches, i must remind) went UTTERLY IGNORED BY EVERY.SINGLE. CHURCH. the embarrassment is on them as far as i am concerned.
-not even sure how it reached steve, but someone sent it his way and he shared that whoever that was, said, "have you seen what this crazy lady has written.."
and how funny is that!?! it's not crazy to go into great debt for a new city hall that how many people will ever enter/enjoy? will travel across the world to see? or will even go out of their short way within this very city to make sure they get to see? - not crazy to let illegal campers colonize and close our local shopping plazas.. not crazy for city council members to stealth vote for 100 homeless to be provided tiny homes across from an elementary school on a park, slash, water supply facility.. long list here,
but it's considered crazy to share a beautiful vision, where said vision costs very little (relatively speaking) divided among churches/districts; different faiths; can be seen and enjoyed in all 10 districts vs. just one; is unique; beautiful; inclusive of all faiths.. and would, in fact, put san jose on the map, yield some 'awe' and attract artists, photographers, poets, writers, tourists, locals from all over the world
-in this case, i'll be happy to own 'crazy' as long as it's a synonym for inspired
but, honestly.. to have anyone ever; and in this case, steve borkenhagen! even mention that he knew about it; that did make my day.
and obviously there is room for both: breeze of innovation and light up san jose -the more magical lights the better
-but where was i?
*****
i wonder if i can help the graffiti taggers of any given neighborhood understand? graffiti is to property as smoking is to lungs. you are voluntarily destroying your own chance at having a better environment. vandalism does zero to improve your circumstances -you just add to the ugly. -love that analogy, what movie? denzel washington 'like getting in the boxing ring and hitting yourself in the face'
good exercise/question: would your neighborhood be a good host for something as beautiful and magical as breeze of innovation? -when investors/artists drive by or walk around your neighborhood, do they want to invest? or keep looking elsewhere...
-just the absence of graffiti can elevate an area 10 fold; the opposite also being true.
hallelujah & amen
posted by SANDRA HARRISON KAY @ 12:53 PM
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