ArtBus: Re-localization Through Cultural Events

Marc Augé argues that “Beyond the heavy emphasis placed today on the individual reference… attention should really be given to… the singularities of all sorts that constitute a paradoxical counterpoint to the procedures of interrelation, acceleration and de-localization…” This presentation explores how ArtBus addresses many of the “factors of singularity” noted by Augé. Organized by the Mitchell Art Gallery at MacEwan University, ArtBus is an annual event where Edmonton Transit Service buses run between nine downtown art galleries, and the public can hop on or off. The success of ArtBus demonstrates how a simple and inexpensive event promotes meaningful interrelation for heterogeneous publics and diverse visual arts organizations.