Poppark



Poppark is a week long traveling event. It's goal is to empower the
homeless youths of LA through growth and community acceptance.



A project in collaboration with Kaoru Imai and Saeko Morinaga.



THERE ARE MORE THAN 200,000 HOMELESS YOUTHS IN LOS ANGELES



WHAT ARE THE TOOLS TO HELP THEM GET OUT, AND STAY OUT OF POVERTY?



BASIC NEEDS



EMPOWERMENT



SELF EXPRESSION



Modular food gardens



These gardens are available to care for, use and look at from the moment the fair starts. The food provided in the food tent - which is made mostly from ingredients that can be locally grown - provide seed packets with every ordered meal, which can then be planted in this area. The people who planted these and anyone who wants to help can then continue to maintain these gardens and move them around years after the event

has gone.



EVENT TIMELINE



Continue below to see full process...



Inspirational traveling



As a class, we went on a one week trip throughout souther California. We used this trip to establish the emotional and environmental component of the class brief.





It’s much more difficult to climb a social ladder than it is to climb a mountain.



My team drew heavy inspiration from the concept of hierarchy, and the feeling of powerlessness, humility, and amazement we experienced from inside the Joshua Tree desert formations.


Upon returning to LA, we noticed a stark difference in the perception of hierarchy in the city. Hierarchy there was defined not by the power of nature but by the mass of societal stereotypes.



This lead us to deciding that we could research homelessness.



site visits



We went to a theater non profit event hosted and managed by previously homeless residents of Skid Row, and proceeded with a visit and tour of My Friend’s place, a youth homeless space that help young people find jobs, hobbies, and a safe community.



INSIGHTS



- Performance and music were key elements at both of these sites.

- Kids especially often hide that they are homeless, due to negative social stigma.



GOAL



To create a public event, in which homeless youth could mix with others people of the local community in a safe space, and get any help, education, or assitance they needed, ultimately leaving them with a sense of community and independence.