Art for Change
Alicia Coria and two of her sons, Ivan Castro, 8, and Diego Castro, 10, never had a chance. As they crossed North Avenue at Kimball one afternoon last October, an 87-year-old driver lost control of his car, ran a red light and slammed into the mother and her children, killing them all.
Some communities chose anger as a way of dealing with grief. And some chose education. Guess which types of communities grow stronger?
Artists Mike Bancroft and Anthony Marcos Rea installed this portable mural on the intersection where Alice, Ivan and Diego lost their lives.
Stowe third graders, under the tutelage of artists Mike Bancroft and Anthony Marcos Rea, installed the portable mural.
The mural – a series of plastic silhouettes of students portrayed against a colorful background made with mylar tape – is affixed to two sides of a cyclone fence surrounding a vacant lot on the northeast corner of North and Kimball. It was officially unveiled at a May 17 ceremony attended by students, artists, neighbors and local officials.
I can say from experience that having visual reminders of community issues is a super effective way of provoking community debate and highlighting important issues. This mural not only honours the memory of the lives that were lost but educates and empowers the community to ensure it never happens again.
Nice.
Props: Wooster Collective
The Revolution is Handmade
The Melbourne Craft Cartel are hosting an event! Yip, ’cause it’s not all about making stuff and selling stuff and buying stuff but it’s also about thinking about stuff!
Along with the two presentations, we’ll also be screening the film of the Melbourne Revolutionary Craft Circle Footscray I wanna live here craft action night. Plus drinks and nibbles, and it’s free! Awesome
Please note this venue isn’t wheelchair accessible. This is a child friendly event but getting prams up the stairs is a two person job, so get in touch if you’re gonna need a hand up the stairs and we’ll suss out a plan.
RSVP and tell your friends on Facebook.
Crafty video
Check out this delightfully gruesome claymation video which has been made by the Trophywife Collective, New Zealand (how cool is that name?) for SideKickNic. The song is called Something In Your Eyes and is from his “first, latest, and best album- ‘Miscellaneous Adventures’.”
I freely admit that it made me feel a bit squeamish. I’m OK with that. It certainly has a hat tip to Greg Page and of course anything made in NZ with a bit of gore in it is inevitably inspired by early Peter Jackson. I loved the amateurish feel of it, especially the visible strings!
Most of all, it was fun, so props to all involved with making it!
Figging Awesome
OK check out this amazing party invite I got it the inbox today:
Dear fig-lovers,
For the past 2½ years, the lorikeets and bats have been holding their own debauched celebrations in my fig tree. I was never invited, but this year I’m getting my own back.
Figgtacular 08 is here.
DRESS: You can wear what you like, but I’ll be donning my toga
WHAT I PROVIDE: fig tree, roast leg of goat/lamb, olives, prosciutto, salad, fresh bread, sweet wine etc, Bacchanalian atmos and joie de vivre.
WHAT YOU PROVIDE: figgy recipes & ingredients (if desired), Greek honey cakes or a soft cheese or whathaveyou. Bring a bag if you want to take some home. Also booze or soft drinks, whatever compliments your appreciation of the fig.
STILL NOT CONVINCED? I have made a small video to get you in the mood, which is on YouTube:
Yay Boo! That sounds like such crafty fun. I can’t wait!