|| | |||| Participatory Networks |||| || | |||||

And Scene

New Urban Art Annual Art Party was a lively evening with djs, a marching band, an awards ceremony, a fashion show, the release of FLIP (New Urban Arts annual zine), and an exhibit of student work. I was excited to see a couple how-tos in FLIP, including a workshop I lead on invisible ink mail art. At the bottom of the page is is a little advertisement for the wiki that says, “Learn how to do more NUA projects (and contribute your own!) at www.nuahowto.wetpaint.com.” 

Text Panel

The how to videos will be displayed at New Urban Art’s end of the year art party on Friday, May 16th. Here is the text panel for the project:

 How to ____: A Collaborative Project Between New Urban Arts and Julia Gualtieri

“How to Make a Three Layer Screenprint featuring Rebecca Volynsky”
“How to Make a Silicone Mold Featuring Guest Artists Eve & Bowie”
“How to Make a Book featuring Julia Gualtieri”
“How to Make Mixtas featuring Crystal Moreno”
“How to Develop a Cartoon Character featuring Liz”
“How to Sew a Ruffle featuring Chez”

Why how to videos rule:
1. They are free.
2. They are gifts that keep on giving.
3. You can learn how to do anything, often in less than ten minutes.
4. How to videos have the potential to engage large audiences in art
as makers using simple existing technologies.
5. Creating a how to video cements your own knowledge of what you are
demonstrating.
6. Making a how to video is a creative act in and of itself.

The how to videos live on the internet on New Urban Arts YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/user/newurbanarts and on the New Urban Arts Wiki http://www.nuahowto.wetpaint.com. 

Context Paragraph #1: N55

The work of artist/activist collective N55 most closely relates to my project in the way that the dissemination of information becomes an art form. The collective designs and prototypes various objects, furniture, and living spaces and subsequently publishes and distributes manuals for each project. The manuals exist as physical objects in the form of pamphlets and books but are also available for free over the group’s website. The work of N55 is not simply the designed and constructed objects themselves but the ideas, distribution, and replication of those ideas. The “how to ___” project is meant to present a variety of creative practices in a similar vein where the making, the sharing of knowledge, and the medium for sharing all compliment each other and together become the work of art. 

Context Paragraph #2: Carla Fernandez

The business model Carla Fernandez has built her fashion label upon is especially inspirational because of its focus on collaboration, education, community, and sustainable practices. Her work connects people, cultures, and ancient traditions through design. While preserving techniques that are in danger of being lost, she also makes them relevant to modern circumstances and to a global audience. I am interested in the way that Fernandez is able to effectively bridge and operate within many different communities—fashion, design, and indigenous cooperatives. I see this relating to the “how to ___” project in the way that it attempts to celebrate the creative work of young people while cementing their knowledge, showcase the work to a larger audience, and strengthen the studio community and organization. 

Summary of Activity: April 10-17

Weekly Digest for new urban arts : how to ______

Apr 10, 2008 - Apr 17, 2008
New Pages Added: 27
Number of Pages: 46
New Posts in Discussion Forum: 2
Total Members: 2
Top Contributor: jtgualtieri

The Latest Discussions

Thread: |||| | ||| FASHION SHOW ||||| || | |||
Friday May 16th
Fashion Show!
When: Apr 17, 2:31 PM EDT
By: jtgualtieri
Page: Fashion Design

New Pages

video-how to develop a character

video-how to make a silicone mold

video-how to sew a ruffle

Zone of Emergency #1: Building A Stronger Case for the Arts

In the field of arts education and arts programming a constant challenge and frustration is limited access to resources. As we face difficult economic times, it is imperative for those working in the field to form a strong case for the role of the arts in education and youth development. Program evaluations, data collection, entrance/exit surveys, and grant writing can be daunting tasks for organizations to undertake. When done with a creative spirit, data collection can build the student’s voices as well as strengthen the organization.