ACAC’s spring Artist-in-Residence Nilou Moochhala has created a 2-part public art installation exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the community of Arlington. For Menotomy Rocks Park, Moochala has shaped an inviting space for peaceful reflection and healing.  She suspended 100 drawings transformed into colorful meditation flags in a beautiful grove of pine trees.  Fifty of these flags were selected from the 365 abstract drawings that Moochhala made during a daily practice started during lockdown; fifty were made this spring in response to the stories of wide range of Arlingtonians — leaders in town government, front-line workers, teachers, medical professionals, local business owners, public housing residents, entrepreneurs, new parents, middle-school and college students, working parents and retired seniors. The exhibit will be ON VIEW through October.

For Arlington Center, Moochhala has paired quotes pulled from some of interviews with the drawings inspired by her conversations.  Hosted by the Kickstand Café, this installation was developed for a busy, sociable gathering place.  The artist hopes people will pause, read the flags, and reflect on what they, and the town, have been through in the last year.

All of the interview material collected by Moochhala will be donated to the Robbins Library COVID-19 archive, where it will be preserved as part of a collection intended to document this unprecedented time.  It’s not too late to share your story — the artist has set up an online questionnaire here.  Please take a moment to use it as a writing prompt to record your history into Arlington’s history!