O.P.T.I.O.N.A.L.
The Office of Provisional Thinking, Indeterminate Outcomes, Nonessential Activities, and Life (O.P.T.I.O.N.A.L.) is an ongoing participatory conceptual artwork and creative public office inside of CAMi. This project space — led by social practice artist and Big Car Collaborative/CAMi co-founder Jim Walker — invites visitors to step into an alternative kind of workplace. Installed in a former plywood supervisor’s box saved from when the CAMi’s Main building was a factory, O.P.T.I.O.N.A.L. is now a space devoted to curiosity, imagination, experimentation, reflection, and play. Inside, you’ll find various books and objects that highlight the history of this kind of art that’s about ideas and process more than physical products.
And visitors will experience a rotating collection of art activities inspired by conceptual art history — often facilitated by various lab-coat-wearing CAMi staffers. Some activities may take only a couple of minutes. Others encourage you to linger, chat a bit, and contribute to a growing collective project. O.P.T.I.O.N.A.L. is located inside of the CAMi Main building in front of the Listen Hear gallery and is open during museum hours.
Participation is encouraged—but, of course, is optional.
