No thinking outside box for artist on the street
Artist Daniel J. Kirk has nearly completely painted the cube he’s locked inside of on Stephen Avenue, with two days to spare until he is reintroduced to the real world.
Since 9 a.m. Monday, Kirk has been on display inside the cube made of plywood and clear plastic, slowly painting away all view to the outside.
He’s surviving without food, living on only water, a sleeping bag, portable septic system, video camera, lamp and the clothes he is wearing.
He has no way to communicate with the outside world, except for writing the occasional message on a fogged up window. Viewers can write notes and leave them inside a box nearby that Kirk will read when it’s all over.
“Exposed to the public but unable to interact in a direct way, Kirk will focus his energy on painting the clear walls of the space, slowly removing himself from public visibility,” reads a poster near the glass cube.
The event is part of Calgary 2012, a program that aims to raise awareness of the city’s cultural scene, and is called Canvernous Isolata iii.
Kirk will be released Friday at 5 p.m., when the public will be invited inside the cube to view his masterpiece.
Kirk is a Calgary native who graduated from the University of Calgary with a bachelor of fine arts. He’s been a public artist in Calgary, and is a strong advocate for the arts scene.