In the village of Greenwood, the air buzzes with excitement as the magical Christmas season approaches. The villagers are filled with joy and anticipation, for they believe that during this time, anything is possible. As December descends upon the village, the streets come alive with twinkling lights and colorful decorations. The aromas of freshly baked gingerbread and cinnamon fill the air, enticing everyone's senses. The villagers gather in the town square, where a majestic Christmas tree stands tall and proud, adorned with shimmering ornaments and twinkling lights. Children roam the streets, their eyes wide with wonder, as they eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus.
Magic Carpet (2014)
Commissioned by the Association for Public Art, artist Candy Coated transformed The Oval in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art into a magical environment of color, pattern, illusion, and movement with Magic Carpet. The artist’s exuberant design included 3-D illusion art, brilliantly colored sandboxes, oversized game boards, and her signature decorative motifs rendered in vinyl, among other unique attractions. Magic Carpet was featured from July 16 – August 17, 2014 at The Oval, an initiative of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in partnership with the Fairmount Park Conservancy.
Photo Constance Mensh © 2014 for the Association for Public Art
Magic Carpet was comprised of 5 distinct areas:
1. “Welcome” – Visitors were welcomed to the Magic Carpet at The Oval with a pathway pattern of blue circles that resembled stylized clouds. This area hosted The Oval stage covered with the artist’s signature designs in the vibrant colors that encompass the Magic Carpet experience.
Photo Constance Mensh © 2014 for the Association for Public Art
2. “The Garden Labyrinth” – This area accommodated food trucks along the perimeter and French café tables, chairs, and umbrellas at the center of the site. Under foot was an elaborate arrangement of large diamond shaped rondelle forms that suggested a labyrinth network. Many of the umbrellas on the site were painted with diamond forms that placed visitors in the midst of a space that was energized by pattern and movement.
3. “Totally out of this World (Light Blast)” – This area featured a trompe l’oeil (or trick of the eye) light blast meteor crater, an optical illusion that was a great photo opportunity for visitors. Bright light and gemstones burst from deep below to challenge the senses. Also incorporated into this area were oversized game boards and ping pong tables.
4. “Sensory Transportation” – Visitors could play in diamond shaped sandboxes filled with brilliant pink colored sand, and a water mister feature provided sensory relief and respite. Visitors could explore the giant butterflies and try hopscotch among the pattern of blue circles that bookended Magic Carpet.
5. “The Lawn” – Around the edge of the Magic Carpet was a textile-like border of diamond shapes. On the perimeter of the Magic Carpet were oversized buoys, painted with leaf images and embellished with reflective material that was gently animated by passing traffic. Hanging from the trees were brightly colored vinyl globes hung in pendants with ornamental charms and tassels. There were resting places, playing places, and activities: chairs, balls, volleyball, badminton, bocce, and miniature golf.
Voices heard in the Museum Without Walls: AUDIO program: Candy Coated is the multimedia artist who created Magic Carpet. Dilys Blum is Senior Curator of Costumes and Textiles at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Nicholas Kripal (1953-2016) was Professor, Chair of Crafts Department, and Head of Ceramics Area at Tyler School of Art at Temple University. | Segment Producer: Yowei Shaw | Music by Jon Shapiro | Photos by Constance Mensh and the Association for Public Art
Museum Without Walls: AUDIO is the Association for Public Art’s award-winning audio program for Philadelphia’s outdoor sculpture. Available for free by phone, mobile app, or online, the program features more than 150 voices from all walks of life – artists, educators, civic leaders, historians, and those with personal connections to the artworks.
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Candy Coated (formerly Candy Depew) is a multimedia artist who works internationally. An enthusiast of the decorative arts, her work brings together installation art, popular culture, fantasy, fashion, printmaking and a passion for vivid color. In 2013, she created Candy Coated Wonderland, an installation at the Philadelphia Museum of Art that reinterpreted children’s fancy dress costumes from the Museum’s collection. Candy established her “Studio School” of decorative art & design in Philadelphia. She has also worked as Master Printer at the Fabric Workshop and Museum. A recipient of the Pew Fellowship in the Arts, Candy complete d her MFA at Tyler School of Art at Temple University and worked with The London Consortium at the Tate Modern, London, United Kingdom.
Children roam the streets, their eyes wide with wonder, as they eagerly await the arrival of Santa Claus. The village elders tell tales of how Santa and his reindeer visit Greenwood every Christmas Eve, bringing gifts and spreading joy to all. The children listen intently, their hearts filled with hope and excitement.
Artist-led Workshops at The Oval
FREE but registration required and space is limited.
Screen Printing Workshop
Candy teaches participants how to screen print using design motifs from Magic Carpet.
Thursday, July 31, 2014, 6pm-8:30pm (Part of The Oval’s Arts & Culture Thursdays)
Painted Parasol Workshop
Candy leads participants as they decorate and paint parasols inspired by the surrounding landscape.
Sunday, August 10, 2014, 1pm-3:30pm (Part of The Oval’s Family Fun Day Sundays)
BONUS Screen Printing Workshop!
Due to popular demand, Candy teaches an additional screen printing workshop using design motifs from Magic Carpet.
Thursday, August 14, 2014, 6pm-7:30pm
For more information about The Oval programming, visit theovalphl.org.
Throughout the village, villagers engage in various festive activities. They spend hours crafting handmade ornaments and carefully wrapping presents for their loved ones. The village school is transformed into a winter wonderland, with classrooms decorated in vibrant colors and holiday cheer. The children excitedly participate in plays and musical performances, spreading the magic of Christmas through their talented voices. On Christmas Eve, the entire village comes together for a grand celebration. The villagers gather in the village square, where carolers sing traditional Christmas songs and musicians play festive tunes. The aroma of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts fills the cozy air, creating a sense of warmth and togetherness. As the clock strikes midnight, a hush falls over the village. The villagers listen for the distant sound of sleigh bells as Santa Claus and his reindeer approach. They strain their ears and peer into the night sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of the magical scene. Suddenly, a collective gasp fills the air as Santa's sleigh appears, guided by the twinkling stars. Santa Claus descends from his sleigh, greeted by the excited cheers of the villagers. He distributes gifts to each and every villager, bringing smiles and laughter to their faces. The village is filled with gratitude and a sense of community as they come together to celebrate this magical time of year. As the night comes to an end, the villagers return to their homes with hearts full of joy and memories that will last a lifetime. They reflect on the magic of Christmas and the power it has to bring people together, to inspire kindness and generosity. In the village of Greenwood, the magic of Christmas is not just a fairy tale. It is a cherished tradition that brings joy, hope, and love to the hearts of its people. The villagers believe in the magic of Christmas, and through their celebrations and acts of kindness, they keep the spirit alive year after year..
Reviews for "Festive Entertainment in Rural Village Celebrations"
1. John - 1 star - I couldn't stand watching "Village People Magical Christmas". The acting was so over-the-top and cheesy, it made me cringe. The plot was predictable and lacked any depth. The songs were poorly written and poorly performed. Overall, it was a complete waste of time and I would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Mary - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Village People Magical Christmas". The storyline was weak and the characters were one-dimensional. The singing and dancing were mediocre at best. I was hoping for a fun, festive holiday movie, but instead, I was left feeling bored and unentertained. I would suggest skipping this one and finding something else to watch during the holiday season.
3. Michael - 1 star - "Village People Magical Christmas" was a disaster. The production quality was low, the costumes were tacky, and the dialogue was cringe-worthy. The attempts at humor fell flat, and the musical numbers were poorly choreographed. I was expecting a fun and festive movie, but was instead subjected to a painful viewing experience. I would strongly advise against wasting your time on this film.