Initiated by Gallery 727 in Los Angeles, the Chamber of Commerce Ensemble Projects involved 5 weeks and many artists creating temporary storefronts for the gallery. The project was intended to invite local residents and neighbors to check out the space and experience a service of sorts. Real Estates/ Rub My Back! was a project that sought to engage viewers with the local politics of the “downtown plan” or “General Plan” a development project started by city officials and private developers. Myself and collaborator, Katie Bachler, gave free comfort consultations and back rubs, similar to those performed in political negotiations. Participants were offered our free services; in exchange, we asked that they write local officials with comments and/or suggestions concerning the new legal and aesthetic changes to the area.
