Affiliation is magic. It has the power to connect people, inspire collaboration, and create a sense of belonging. At its core, affiliation is about forming meaningful connections with others, whether it be through shared values, interests, or goals. When individuals affiliate with a group or organization, they become part of something bigger than themselves. They become part of a community that provides support, encouragement, and a sense of identity. This affiliation can be a source of motivation, as individuals work together towards a common purpose, pushing each other to achieve shared goals.
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.
This affiliation can be a source of motivation, as individuals work together towards a common purpose, pushing each other to achieve shared goals. Affiliation also has a transformative power. It can turn strangers into friends, colleagues into teammates, and competitors into collaborators.
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.
Through affiliation, people can find mentors and role models who inspire and guide them on their journey. By affiliating with the right people and organizations, individuals can tap into a network of resources, knowledge, and opportunities that can help them grow and succeed. Furthermore, affiliation fosters a sense of belonging. Humans are social creatures, and we crave connection and community. Affiliation provides a sense of belonging and acceptance, creating a safe space where individuals can be their authentic selves. This sense of belonging is essential for our overall well-being, as it enhances our self-esteem, reduces stress, and promotes mental and emotional health. Affiliation is not limited to relationships with people, but can also extend to affiliating with certain beliefs, values, or causes. By aligning ourselves with certain ideologies or principles, we can become part of a larger movement or community that advocates for change. This type of affiliation can be a catalyst for social and political transformation, as like-minded individuals unite to challenge the status quo and create a better future. In conclusion, affiliation is indeed magical. It has the power to connect, inspire, and transform. Whether it is through affiliating with people, organizations, or beliefs, the act of affiliating enables individuals to find connection, purpose, and a sense of belonging. So let us embrace the magic of affiliation, and discover the power it holds in our lives..
Reviews for "The Magic of Affiliation in Sports: Creating Winning Teams through Camaraderie"
1. Mary - 1 star - "I had high hopes for 'Affiliation is Magic' as a big fan of fantasy novels, but I was sorely disappointed. The plot felt disjointed and rushed, with little development of the magical world or its characters. The main protagonist was bland and lacked depth, and I found it hard to connect with any of the other characters as well. The writing style was also subpar, with numerous grammatical errors and awkward sentence structures. Overall, this book failed to deliver a captivating story and left me feeling unsatisfied."
2. John - 2 stars - "While 'Affiliation is Magic' had an intriguing premise, the execution faltered. The author relied heavily on clichéd tropes and predictable plot twists, making it feel like I had read this story a dozen times before. The magic system was underdeveloped and lacked consistency, which made it hard to fully immerse myself in the world-building. The pacing was also off, with slow and dragging sections followed by abrupt and rushed resolutions. Though I finished the book, it left me feeling disappointed and unfulfilled as a reader."
3. Emma - 2 stars - "I found 'Affiliation is Magic' to be quite underwhelming. The characters lacked depth and their motivations often felt forced. The world-building was sparse, leaving many unanswered questions about the magical realm and its history. The dialogue felt stilted and unrealistic, further diminishing my enjoyment of the story. Additionally, the pacing felt uneven, with long stretches of dull exposition followed by hurried action scenes. Overall, this book failed to captivate and fell short of my expectations."