This is a very special post from my best friend who also happens to be my sister! She’s a very creative and talented lady (be sure to stop by her writing and art blog), though lately has been preoccupied with finishing her college degree and all that it entails. But she was kind enough to take a bit of time away from her thesis-writing to share a great idea for spreading the joy of art with others, which I think is especially apropos as the holidays are approaching and spreading good cheer is part of the season… – ♥ Casey
Hi, everyone! I’m generally known as the two-bit Jeremiah, and I’m pleased as punch to be contributing a guest post for my incredible sister. I’m excited to "meet" some of Casey’s readers, too! I will resist the urge to reminisce at length about our mutual formative years for your benefit. Although I do have to tell you that I still have the very tiny handbound catalogue she made when she was about ten, which has a fabric cover and exquisite illustrations of diminutive garments for the stuffed-and-bean-filled set. Prices in pennies, each drawing accompanied by minuscule copy.
Sisterly reminiscing, then, duly concluded.
Something I have been really stoked about for a while now is guerrilla art. This is a term for, as Keri Smith describes it, "a method of art making which entails leaving anonymous art pieces in public places." I inadvertently "invented" it for myself before I discovered that it was actually a thing that other people did, with a name and everything (heck, it’s even in the news). It started during a very long and stressful college semester, when I felt so ground down creatively that I couldn’t even look at my sketchbook. In desperation, I took a bunch of index cards I’d cut up to make Russian history flash cards, and began doodling funny or profound sayings, little drawings, etc. on them. I’d leave these little cards in empty classrooms, in the library, in coffee shops.
It was terribly satisfying. I kept doing it. Then I ran out of index cards, and moved on to making bookmarks out of scraps of leftover Bristol board. Then I learned how to make origami lucky stars and started leaving THOSE all over the place, too. I am by now thoroughly addicted to this activity, in my own small way, and I’d like to share that addiction with you if I can.
(here are some bookmarks I’ve yet to deposit)
There are several reasons I like guerrilla art:
1. It’s exciting. There’s a little thrill of adventure when you try to leave a bookmark or origami star in a coffee shop without anyone noticing. Did the barista spot you? Is that kid waiting for his mom to order going to say something and blow your cover? Can you train yourself to not look at what you’re doing as you leave your piece? It’s like a secret game, and it makes the day more fun.
2. It’s low-pressure. So many of the projects we take on in life are intense–which is a good thing most of the time! But sometimes you need to take a break from the intensity. Or circumstances won’t let you take on the kinds of projects you’d like. Or you’ve lost your mojo and need to ease back into whatever it is you do. Because they’re little freebies that you’ll never see again, it’s a lot easier to give yourself permission simply to fool around and have fun, to enjoy making things, to take it easy.
3. It adds interest and beauty to the lives of others. Imagine how you’d feel if you got home from the library and discovered a beautiful bookmark tucked into your book! Or if you saw a funky drawing propped up on the shelf in a grocery store. A little weirded out, maybe, but also excited! Something to tell your friends about. Something to wonder about. Something to enjoy. Giving other people that experience is both good in its own right, and fun.
3. It promotes a sense of detachment. If you’re a creative person of any kind, you probably know how easy it is to get TOO attached to your work–or to get too attached to the attention people give you when they know you’re the artist. Making quick pieces and leaving them anonymously, knowing that I will never see if anyone picks it up, never know whether they liked it, never know what ultimately becomes of it–this helps me cultivate perspective about what I do. It reminds me of what’s important in creativity–not getting compliments or making money or saving the world, but the acts of making and giving.
You’ll notice that nothing I did was terribly involved. You could easily pick up a pack of index cards, like I did, and start making something interesting! Whatever your skills are, I’m sure you can find a way to translate them into guerrilla art. Look at those paper sculptures I linked to! ANYTHING is possible. Here’s a list of ideas; I haven’t tried all of them, and I haven’t tested all of the instructions I’ve linked, but they’ll at least help you get brainstorming:
You can probably come up with even more amazing ideas. So go forth and join the guerrilla art revolution! Make the world a more interesting place, one origami lucky star at a time!
November 21, 2011 ·
13 lovely thoughts
posted in guest posts,misc
· tags: guest posts
