During residency at EST-NORD-EST - Center du Sculpture & Résidence d’artistes in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, Quebec, Canada; I have been observing life of small craftsmanship town, full of artisans and workshops. As days became longer and and warmer with forthcoming summer, I became intrigued with phenomenon on local milk bar - place by the main road, with only few outdoor sitting places surrounded by few trees and rocks, selling whole variety of ice creams. During weekends the place was getting really crowded. It was the only agora like spot in the town. There were no places in town as crowded in relaxed, leisure oriented, socialising manner, as available (in terms of local economy) for so differential people, whole social spectrum. Including factor, participatory aspect was consumption, but hey, who doesn't like ice cream? 

I came to the place twice, at two consecutive evenings, I had my ice cream, obviously, and I asked people who came by to participate in collective portrait of Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, at its very sweet spot. I don’t speak well French, enough to introduce myself and the concept, invite people for forthcoming open studio at the centre. In the middle of the second evening, a man approached me and asked me what I am doing there, although he wasn’t looking for an answer, he ordered me to leave place immediately under threat of destruction of equipment I brought. The whole spot, whole place where people gathered, chat and interact is private property. And the owner has the last word - no discussion.

Nothing major - it is just kind warning; how common places, modern agoras, idea of public space got privatised, how much of a freedom we already gave up to the rules of market - free market, where freedom is limited to the illusory freedom to choose the product. It is sweet spot, but bitter truth.