The WOLLARS PROJECT; 2017

This fictional agency, Watch of Loss Reparations (W.L.R.), was first set up in 2017 at SiteLab: Rumsey St. in Grand Rapids, MI.

The goal of the W.L.R. is to bring people together around their individual cases of loss and create an archive of their shared experiences. The agency set up its office at SiteLab: Rumsey St where many area residents were feeling the side effects of gentrification and exploitation due to new developments in their neighborhood.

In the office participants were guided through a questionnaire that calculated a numeric value for their losses. These forms, with the permission of the participants, were posted on the wall for all to see. This iteration was meant to be cathartic and offer people time to reflect on the experiences they had been having, but were unable to articulate.

Forms were offered in Spanish and English. A 35’ flag was installed outside the office, it read.

“PLEAD THE CASE OF IMMEASURABLE LOSS. HERE THERE WAS DISGRACE AND NO REPARATIONS.”

“ABOGAR POR EL CASO DE LA PÉRDIDA INCONMENSURABLE. AQUÍ HABÍA DESHONRA Y NO REPARACIONES.”