Squares of Grey: The Grey Day Relay

October 29, 2009

On Wednesday October 28th , members of the PuSh Festival Staff participated in The Grey Relay. Here is an account of the afternoon by Audience Services Manager Jenn Upham…

The rains held off but hands were still numb as participants silently held up cards of protest. A four by four square of rotating bodies in grey grabbed the attention of passers-by on their lunch breaks. Participants ranged from dancers, to arts activist Judith Marcuse, to our very own PuSh Festival staff. The noon shift moved along both sides of Burrard Street, standing for 15 minutes on each corner. Pedestrians walked by slowly, taking in our colourless stance and bodies being outlined on the sidewalks.

They were given cards that read:

THE BC GOVERNMENT PLANS TO CUT ARTS FUNDING BY 90% AFTER THE OLYMPICS

$77 MILLION IN GAMING REVENUES HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM CHARITIES

ACCESS TO CULTURE IS BEING DEVASTATED ALL AROUND BC

TELL YOUR MLA, PREMIER CAMPBELL, AND THE MEMBERS OF CABINET THAT PUBLIC SUPPORT OF THE ARTS IS NECESSARY FOR A HEALTHY SOCIETY

Go to www.greysquare.ca for more information, and to find out how you can help restore public support for arts and culture in BC.

– Posted by Jenn Upham: Audience Services Manager for the PuSh International Performing Arts Festival