| Figmnet Art Festival Brings Together Creativity and Community |
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 NEW YORK This past weekend, New York’s tiny Governor’s Island was transformed into a playground of art, creativity and community for the third annual Figment Art Festival. From June 12th to the 14th, the 172-acre island located in New York Harbor was dotted with various displays of art exhibitions.
But the artwork displayed were not your typical traditional forms of art; the work here was what can be best described as “interactive.” Meaning, it is art that can be participated by both artist and viewer, who are known as participants at Figment. David Koren, one of the founders of Figment, said the idea of the festival stems from one year at the Burning Man Festival in Nevada.  Lindsay Punk - Human Weeble Wobble “It’s about self-expression and reliance,” he explained. “People are doing what they want and sharing what they want to share. It explores creativity and the idea of community. We’re trying to change the idea of what is art in New York.” And Figment set out to do just that. While the festival did include dances, painters, and music, there were some displays that were not usually defined as art. For example, there was the Temple of Truth – a swirling set of blackboards where visitors wrote messages to the world. There also was the infinity sign made of wood where young children could play on, a venue were people could get married to “themselves” as a way of honoring their self-esteem, and a subtle, spinning chair used for meditation. Then there was the “Human Weeble Wobble” which had two metal poles put into a one-half of a cement ball. Participants could stand on the cement or on the bars put between the poles and rock back and forth, pulling the “Weeble Wobble” as far to the ground as possible.  Temple of Truth “It begs the artist to come out to play,” said David Henry Brown, Jr. of the Wobble. “It teaches you to stop being afraid.” If it still does not sound like art, it is because Figment is whole new different kind of art where both the exhibit’s creator and the participants create a creative experience. “The community comes to collaborate,” said Figment communications director, Julie Siff Zint. “With traditional art, you can’t touch it. The idea of art here is to touch it. If you’re not out participating, you’re doing something wrong.” Indeed, very few visitors to Governor’s Island during that June weekend were not doing anything wrong. Many had heard about Figment through word of mouth, or were simply visiting the Island when they saw the entire place transformed into a free, artistic wonderland. The latter probably had no clue what was going on, but they willingly embraced it. “They have no idea what hit them,” said Zint. “It opens their minds to what art is. It teaches them to make art and creativity as part of an everyday experience.” One participant, named Cami Arnold from Brooklyn, had only heard about the Festival through an e-mail. “This is my first time here,” she said. “I’m surprised by how non-New York this is. Its something you would find on the West Coast at some hippie event.”  Another participant, Nadia Massun who recently arrived to New York from Mexico, was also impressed. “It’s so free and spontaneous. Everyone is in a nice mood. For the children, it is very nice.” People of all ages certainly enjoyed the Festival, which was free of charge. Figment is a low budget event funded by grants and donations; there is no corporate sponsorship. Those seemingly working all over Governor’s Island where actually volunteers. All the artists have full time jobs in the creative sectors, but do their artistic work on the side. As for the name “Figment,” it comes from a quote from Andy Warhol, who once said he’d like to have that word written on his tombstone. Clearly, those involved in Figment Art Festival believe firmly in this unorthodox display of art. Thousands of participants came during those fun-filled three days, and as organizer David Koren hoped for, they created their own experience with the art displays. “You get to explore your inner child,” he said. “Figment is whatever it is you want to explore.” To learn more about Figment, go to www.figmentnyc.com To check out pictures, go to http://www.flickr.com/groups/figment Bookmark us: 
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