The Compliment Dept.: Office Hours

The Compliment Dept.: Office Hours distributes bespoke, complimentary compliments to members of the Public by request.
About this Event

The Compliment Dept.: Office Hours distributes bespoke, complimentary compliments to members of the Public by request. During Office Hours, members of the Public are invited to stop by, request a complimentary compliment, and receive a thoughtful response tailored specifically to them.

Through keen observation, conversation, attentive listening, and humor, this participatory public art project transforms the bureaucratic into an opportunity for connection, reflection, and delight. After all, who doesn't get a boost from an unexpected compliment—whether needed, wanted, or requested out of pure curiosity?

The Compliment Dept.: Office Hours is part of Public Benefit: Pop-Ups in the POPOS, an ongoing public art project by Lisa Van Dusen. This activation takes place in Plaza Ramona, a POPOS (Privately Owned Public Open Space)—one of a dozen public benefit spaces in Palo Alto created through agreements between the City and developers in exchange for expanded development rights. Though intended for public use, many of these unmarked spaces remain largely unknown and underused.

Free and open to the public. All ages welcome.

ENJOY LIVE MUSIC by Charline Pelloux-Gervais. Charline is a delightful young musician who sings and performs many genres, including pop/rock, jazz, R&B, blues, and musical theater on a variety of instruments.

RSVPs are helpful but not required. Walk-ins are welcome.

Public Benefit: Pop-Ups in the POPOS is a citywide series of site-specific public art activations unfolding across Palo Alto's POPOS. Through tours, performances, social exchange, creative experiments, and moments of surprise, the project explores how awareness, participation, and imagination can bring these overlooked public spaces to life.

This activation is a Magical Series event, in partnership with Magical Bridge, and is supported in part by the City of Palo Alto Public Art ,

Thank you to Magical Bridge for partnering with Public Benefit: Pop-Ups in the POPOS to support the Summer Dance + Laughter Party as part of the Magical Series.