Our neighborhood (near SE 12th and Clinton) will be the site of an art installation this Saturday, September 11th at 10 a.m. Artist Adam Kuby will provide us with a new way to think about the future health of our city. A large “acupuncture needle” will be installed and remain in place for several weeks as the final phase of the Portland Acupuncture Project.

A brief description follows. Please come watch or help to raise the needle. We plan to have information available about the Portland Plan and the Light Rail station as well. Hope to see you this Saturday at 10:00 a.m.

“The Portland Acupuncture Project explores the interface between art, regional planning, traditional Chinese medicine and the health of a city. Needles appearing across the city will bring attention to the some of the city’s most challenging problems, greatest assets, as well as places with enormous potential. Between now and Fall 2010, needles will move from place to place in a roving city-wide installation. The project is coinciding with a series of public workshops to help steer the Portland Plan, a guide for the city’s growth over the next 25 years. ”

FINAL NEEDLE RAISING – Saturday, Sept. 11 @ 10am –– SE 12th Ave & Clinton St.
Point Name: STREETCAR DESIRE
Meridian: Spleen

This last needle marks the site of the future Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail MAX line Clinton Street station – set to open in 2015. Streetcars once ruled Portland from the 1880’s -1940’s, but were then systematically removed to make way for that other kind of car. But they’re back along with light rail trains! And as Portland ages, they are essential to keep her arteries from clogging and her circulation system from seizing up. Not to mention the global warming thing…

If you haven’t gotten to a needle raising yet, come on out! For a map of location, go to http://acuportland.org/map.html