Locks and Keys Project Opens People to Share Personal Messages

A number of years ago, while visiting Florence, Italy, Natick artist Denise Girardin “noticed that young "lovers" placed locks all over the city - on fences, bridges, fancy iron doorways - declaring their undying love.”

“I was intrigued by the visual of those locks and for a long time tried to figure out how to make that concept work here,” she said. “It took a couple of years to figure out how to make it work here and why would people participate. Why would people want to place a lock or key on a fence in Natick? I realized that challenging them to leave some sort of message was the key (pun intended!) to the project.“

In September 2010, the Locks and Keys Project (LAKP), a 12' x 4.5’ public and participatory art project, was installed at 3 Adams Street in Natick. Girardin decided to install it outside of her studio because she wanted it to be accessible so she could photograph it regularly, and so she could easily waterproof submissions. She provides the basic supplies, inside her studio when she’s there, and outside on the steps near the installation when she’s not. “I knew it had to be close to where I was, to make that part of the project manageable.”

With the help of local press, her personal email list, friends, and friends of friends who posted about the project on their blogs, she was able to get the word out about the Locks and Keys Project. Girardin also contacted artists she found on the Internet who use locks and/or keys in their work, and asked them to participate. Girardin is planning on keeping Locks and Keys up through the 2011 Natick Artists Open Studios in October, which would end up being 13 months from the start. She also anticipates that the 12' x 4.5’ space will fill up completely, so the grid of the fencing will be hidden by the submissions. 

What is she planning on doing with it after the project is over? “I'd love to be able to move it indoors somewhere - a gallery, library, school, etc. so that it has an afterlife off current location, and so that people can come back and see their additions, and those that didn't get a chance to hang something get a chance to take a look at it,” she said. “This project lends itself to both individual and group participation. Both are equally touching and both seem to give the participants an outlet or release of some emotion.”

To date, the messages that stand out the most to her include:

"If she only knew I already got her ring", with a drawing of an engagement ring.” Girardin said “this one gave me a shiver!

"PLEASE let me get in!!!"

"Key to my future dorm??"

"I still treasure you."

"I've been waiting all this time to be something I can't define. I hate everything about what happened. I'm sorry."

"Miss You" on the front of the tag, with a picture of a baby taped on it, and on the back: "09-12-01 - 02-14-03"

"Meet me here 9/4/11 5:00 pm FOR MONEY."

To encourage participation around Natick, the Locks and Keys Project will be traveling to the following locations:

Friday, March 18th at the Natick Recreation Department St. Patrick's Day Dance

Tuesday, April 19th at the Kennedy Senior Center Arts Program

Saturday, May 21st at the Natick Recreation Department Mother/Son Challenge

Wednesday, June 1st at the Morse Institute Library - Creative Connections

“I also have a LAKP "kit" pick up and drop off location at The Danforth Museum (I drop off new kits and pick up completed kits once a week) as well as at my studio at 3 Adams,” Girardin said. “AND, as it says on my blog, I have and will mail participation kits anywhere in the world. I've sent two kits off to the UK, and am hopeful for more international requests. Because of the access that military personnel have to the Internet I think hanging a piece on the fence would be a very thoughtful and unique way to send someone serving overseas a loving message. I'm working on some type of off-site to help facilitate that as well.”

To read more about the Locks and Keys Project, or to see pictures of submissions, visit locksandkeysproject.blogspot.com or the LAKP Facebook page.