“Spring cleaning” is a fascinating concept for me ever since I came to the United States. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines it as, “the act or process of doing a thorough cleaning of a place.” It is also the idea of better weather and new love or the renovation of it. This year’s spring brings a very difficult “cleaning process” since a lot of people are angry, because of the economy and the eight years of the Bush administration; others are mad because their candidate lost the election, or because there are several wars going on in the world. Here at VCU we have a list of problems as well—Trani, Wilder, Monroe, the former Police Chief, high tuition and low salaries, etc. At the same time, a lot of people are optimistic because of Obama or any other excuse.
In my project, I will ask VCU students, faculty and staff to write down a word that they want to get rid off—profanity and foreign languages are welcome—on a small, white piece of paper; then they will record the word for me and choose a color for that word; next, they will get a piece of paper of the color they have chosen. They will then attach both papers to the board. Everyone will be able to see the words and color on the board. They will have to give me permission to use their bad word—written word, color, and sound—in online or print materials. The day for the collection of words will be on Tuesday, March 23rd.
1) They have to use only one word that they consider bad because they don't want to use anymore.
2) They can use any word in any language—either because the word represents or means something morally wrong, dirty, bad for one’s health, representative of negative experiences, or impossible to spell—but they cannot use proper names unless they are of philosophers, historical figures or politicians.
3) They can post the pieces of paper wherever they want to on the board.
4) They can use any language, as long as they provide a translation of the word.
5) They have to say it (for the recording) like they mean it.
6) Only one person at a time can participate.
A. a sculpture made of the board with pieces of paper in different colors with the handwritten words—I will provide the paper and ink; it may take an organized form like a Mondrian, or a mere collage like a bulletin board;
B. a collection of words that I will use to produce an animated poem or a poster;
C. a collection of digital images of the handwritten words on pieces of paper, that I will make available to participants on request;
D. a collection of sounds (such as words expressed in an angry way) that will become a soundtrack for an online piece;
E. a Flash or video piece that uses the written words, the colors, and the sounds to show how “the sculpture” was created;
F. a Flash or video piece that reverses the previous concept, to destroy or to convey the destruction of “the sculpture”;
G. a list of the words available to participants and website visitors;
H. a cathartic experience, maybe.
1. Legal. Prepare the copyright statement that will be handed to participants. It has to be one or two short paragraphs printed on transparent or tracing paper. Ask for permission to be at Shafer Place for about two or three hours. Time frame: Finish by second week of February.
2. Website preparation. Prepare web pages and code. Time frame: Finish by second or third week of March.
3. Materials. Color paper (white, black, red, sky blue, pink, green, navy blue, yellow, brown, and cream) of 3 x 3 or 4 x 4 inches. Pieces of white paper (1 x 2 inches) and get a calligraphy pen. A 4 x 4 ft. cork board, framed. Copies of legal statement. A list to document (write) names or initials, word and its meaning in English if given in a different language, and e-mail. Photography and video camera. Microphone. Computer, Photoshop, Flash, QuickTime, and any other necessary software. Time frame: ready by beginning of the third week of March.
3. Day of word collection. Set up board, cameras, papers, docs. March 19th or 20th.
4. Photo, video, audio, graphic postproduction. Time frame: finish by fourth week of March and first week of April.
5. Building of flash pieces. Time frame: finish by third week of April.
6. Website. Work is finished. Testing and tuning of graphics, code, etc. Time frame: third or fourth week of April.
7. Presentation: Fourth week of April.
8. Website open. PR: mass email to participants. Announcements: on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Time frame: last week of April.