Posters on Campus for Counseling Services!

caption:
"I paid attention to everything but myself. I took care of everything but myself."

When Joe Behen, from health services, came to our class he mentioned some grad students who are making flyers for the services offered through counseling services. While I was using the restroom in the fibers dept I was privileged to spot one and have a camera on me...they are beautiful, printed on fabric. They had already been taken down...which seems to sad to me...but I think this project is great!



yours,
Lauren

EduPublication for 10/21

That's right: your typed + printed PROPOSAL forms are due at the beginning of class next week. You can download and fill out the form (if you haven't already) here: Project Proposal Form!

* If you need an estimate for the BUDGET part of your proposal, get in touch with / check out the online rates and services of SAIC's Service Bureau. Make sure to leave them at least 24 hours to get back to you (preferably more, in case they have questions for you).

* Those who met with Christa this past week will PRESENT your zine pitch to the group for feedback. Those who met with Terri will present the following week.

Questions? E-mail either/both of us sooner than later. See you next week!

Condoms that Bite

After doing a little more research I thought I'd follow up on the rape-deterring condom that came up in class this week. The condom's inventor, Sonette Ehlers, is a doctor in South Africa, which has the highest rape rates in the world, acording to Human Rights Watch: one in every two women will be raped in her lifetime. This fact gives the device some important context, as the probability and circumstances of rape are rather different than those here in the US.

According to Ehlers, women there have resorted to DIY versions of the Rape-Axe (as this condom is called) for years, inserting sponge-wrapped blades into their vaginas before going out. Yikes. While certainly not without its problems, the Rape-Axe Condom is still a step up in safety for both parties, at least on one level. Here's a fairly in-depth article on the condom from Mother Jones: Anti-Rape World Cup Condoms... With Teeth?

EduPublication for 10/13

for next week!

WRITE/CREATE: a 3-4 page mockup of an EXCERPT of your zine. This will serve several purposes: it'll allow you to experiment with layout/format possibilities you've been considering to see how they really work. It'll also allow you to get a chunk of your content done and out of the way. We'll be doing another round of speed-meetings next week, so this mockup will be something for us to give feedback on as you develop your zine concept.

READ:
This week we'll be focusing on collaborative groups and individuals who incorporate zines and/or wellness issues into actions, events, or multimedia projects. Most of the readings for this week are online and relatively short. They don't need printing, but make sure you leave enough time for exploring online!

* Madam Pink Interview in Ladyfriend Zine (download as a regular PDF)
* Transformative Justice Zine (read online by clicking the "next page" links)
* Street Harassment Project Website (explore the contents, particularly THESE )
* Small Science Collective Website (explore the contents online, especially body-related zines)

Note: You do NOT need to print the latter three out. Please read and be prepared to discuss in class. There will also be NO written reflections due for these readings, so you can focus your energy on the zine excerpt.

Chicago Humanities Festival: The Body

Many events and speakers, related to the body, info to be found here: http://www.chicagohumanities.org/

Chicago in War

HEY HEY
Here is the info about the art show and series I am helping organize. We want Chicago to take a moment and deal with OUR wars...how do they effect our lives, our health, our communities, our families, our bodies, our cities, our country, our world....
If anyone wants to organize an event that would be AMAZING...we will put it in the calendar for the show!

The distance is great.

The disconnect is great.

The impact is deep.

CHICAGO IN WAR - November 2010

Chicago in War is a series of events, art shows, and performances that explores the continued rupturing of the traumas of war in everyday America.

We are seeking your participation.

Chicago is in a war. The occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan have and will continue to leave deep scars in our hearts and minds; and for some of us these scars are emblazoned on our physical bodies and memories. Too often these occupa tions are swept from our conscience, into the alleys of our streets, into the corners of our city and our collective minds. If they are ever to come to end, their myriad effects must be recognized, unearthed, uncovered, demystified , and exposed!

We are calling on you to help bring the wars into the spotlight, gather the people, open the spaces and ask our city to listen!

We are calling for anyone who is moved by these ruptures and cracks in our lives to organize an event/art show/discussion/activity/ or action relating to this topic during the month of NOVEMBER 2010.

Send us your proposals at :
nbaltrushes@gmail.com

Please include:

1. A description of your event- how it relates to "Chicago in War"

2. Details about the time and place of your event that will be included in the printed and online programs for Chicago in War

3. Any links to websites that can be used to promote your event

Nicole Baltrushes
Program Coordinator-Chicago in War

nvam.org

--

The main events already scheduled in the Chicago in War series are:

Intrusive thoughts- an exhibition of work by Iraq and Afghanistan War Veterans

Opening November 11th at The National Veterans Art Museum

Intrusive thoughts are unwelcome involuntary thoughts, images, or unpleasant ideas that may become obsessions are upsetting or distressing, and can be difficult to manage or eliminate.

Although it is commonly not seen there are silent signs of our current occupations in our local communities, households, and memories. This show will feature work by veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Global War on Terror that will bring these signs from the shadows to the forefront and give these traumas a voice in the political and cultural discussion of today.

Operation Exposure

A project of Just Seeds and Iraq Veterans Against the War that uses graphic installations to expose the traumas of war in everyday America. A exhibition of posters at Mess Hall along with wheatpasting adventures throughout the city.

EduPublication for 10/1

Hey everybody, here's the plan:

READ:
this week's readings have been changed from what's on the syllabus. Please print and read the following short articles:
* Knight Citizen News Network's "Why Interview?"
* Stu Willis's "How to Approach Strangers... " (note: the main text of this is below the video).

WRITE:
Six key questions to start from next week. Decide what information you'd like to gather from your own on-the-street interviews and how best to do so. You may not use all of your questions in each interview, but it's important to have alternates in case one line of inquiry isn't working out. We will discuss your questions in class on Thursday.

BRING:
* a laptop if possible, for transcription purposes.
* your six questions
* a portable audio recording device - at least one per team. Make SURE you test these out beforehand so that you're comfortable using them in the field next week.

If you're checking out a field recorder or other digital recorder from one of the school media centers, this is especially true. These usually require authorization - so do not wait to get this process underway.

* If you're using something that requires cassettes or minidiscs, make sure you have a blank!

BEGIN:
Your project proposal applications, due first thing on October 21.
You can now download the Project Proposal Form HERE as a type-friendly PDF. Let us know if you run into any difficulties along the way.

As for print numbers, Terri and I discussed the question further and decided that given the public nature of these projects it makes sense to require a minimum of 50 copies of your zine/ public project, taking into account that 16 of these will be going to members of the class for review/critique. We are looking into funding sources to help make this more viable.

Given that, we've added a budget breakdown to the form. Working out a rough estimate of your costs is an important component of most grant applications, and this one's no exception. If we don't get as much funding as we request, this will help us assess which projects are in need of the most assistance to reach their goals. The clearer you are in listing your expenses, the better.

Depending on the scope of your project it's also a good idea for each of you to start seeking support from relevant organizations / groups as well, and this will come in handy there as well.