No great distant day
2023
Paper, photos, plastic info box, wire
Proposal
Addressing the relationship between rapid urban growth, the idea of home, and historical amnesia, the artist has paired original, recent photographs with excerpts from 1920’s-era Delray archival materials to create “flyers” for distribution. The flyers are free for people to take from real estate-style info boxes placed at various locations throughout Delray Beach. This work includes original photos by artist and Delray Beach resident Kristen Silvi, as well as archival materials from the Delray Beach Historical Society. Images on the back of flyers are abstracted from a 1914 postcard (photo attached).
Newspaper excerpt on flier: “They have acted as others should –if thinking of buying a home in Florida – buy one in Delray and do so now, for as sure as the sun continues to shine, there is coming to Delray at no great distant day; a healthy boom and big raise in prices.” -Rays of Delray, June 25, 1920.
Locations in downtown Delray Beach were selected at historic sites and urban lots under construction or for sale:
SE 1st St / SE 1st Ave
SE Third Ave / SE Second St
N Swinton Ave / NE 1st St
N Swinton Ave between Atlantic / 1st Aves
Rays of Delray, 223 (front)
Rays of Delray, KS (front)
Rays of Delray, KS (back)
Biography
Michiko Kurisu lives in Delray Beach, FL. Received a BFA from Brown University, Studied at Rhode Island School of Design, and the School for International Training in Botswana. Michiko has been the recipient of a Palm Beach County Cultural Council Artist-in-Residence grant and was awarded two permanent public art commissions from the city of Delray Beach.